State Republicans have nothing to offer

In response to yet another under regulated industry making life impossible for people in our state, Connecticut Republicans have nothing to offer.

As reported by The Day, “Major landlord's tactics to force out Groton tenants called ‘abusive',” an out-of-state real estate company recently bought out a set of occupied housing units in Groton and is now abusing tenants through mass unjustified evictions. Republican state Sen. Somers offered her feeble sentiment that, “we can't tell a private owner what to do, but we can talk to them about it.”

Further, “Somers suggested that people look into all the land that is being set aside as open space in Groton.” Regulating private companies when they abuse the people of our state and preserving open space for the benefit of the public is quite literally the job of our elected lawmakers. Inversely, Connecticut Republicans seek to serve industry while harming the public.

As Center for Housing Equity Director Beth Sabilia astutely points out, there is pending legislation that requires landlords have grounds for filing an eviction. S.B.143 addresses abuse of tenants and disrupts further corporate capture of our housing market. Yet, not one single Republican legislator in our region has indicated they support the bill. When will enough be enough? To industry, Connecticut Republicans offer the whole house. To our families, Connecticut Republicans have nothing to offer — but a swift boot out the door.

Nick Gauthier Waterford

The writer is a candidate for state Representative for the 38th District