Stratford Needs a Strong Voice in Hartford

Democrat Terry Masters is running for the 120th District seat currently held by Republican Laura Hoydick.

Back in August, Connecticut republicans held a rally to "turn the state red." (See related Patch article.)

Republican state Senator John McKinney said, "We are going in the wrong direction." He urged his audience to use the November election as an opportunity to course correct.

I couldn't agree more.

In many ways, WE ARE headed in the wrong direction -- a direction where
corporations have more say because they have more money. A direction where
millionaires don't have to pay their fair share of taxes. A direction where the
middle class -- you and me -- will have to work harder and harder just to make
ends meet.

My opponent is leading us in this same, wrong direction. When she had the chance to represent Stratford's workers and families, she voted NO to increasing the minimum wage by a quarter. She voted NO to establishing the CT Healthcare Partnership. She voted NO to renewable energy. And when she had the chance to decrease taxes on small businesses and establish a tax on bailout bonuses, she didn't vote at all.

That voice does not represent the Stratford I've known and loved for over a decade. That voice does not speak for you.

We've all been inundated with platitudes and sound bites this election. But, where's the real substance?

Voting against home health care workers' rights doesn't enhance their family life. Voting against a $20 marriage license fee to support services for domestic abuse victims doesn't improve their quality of life. Not even bothering to find out what existing state programs could do for Stratford residents -- like lower their utility bills each and every month through Energy Improvement Districts -- does not show a commitment to the people.

Where's the support for creating jobs and helping the local economy? I haven't heard of any support for the Shakespeare Theatre. Getting the theatre going would be an instant boost to our economy and small businesses in town.   

Where was the voice to make sure Stratford got its fair share of state educational funding? That silence cost us an estimated $83,000,000 over the past two incumbents. Other cities and towns received more funding, Stratford had to raise your property taxes to make up the difference.

That silence does not represent the Stratford I've known and loved for over a decade. That silence does not speak for you.

Voting against every budget and calling that voting against tax increases is deceptive. The republicans in Connecticut are following the same program as the republicans in Washington: chip away at every government program by defunding it, including Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. 

We've all seen in the past week what good government is. FEMA and the Small Business Administration, along with Connecticut's Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection, made preparations to deal with the storm and its after-effects. They've kept us informed; they have provided shelter and they are working on the long process of cleaning up and rebuilding.

Government is supposed to look out for the common good. We deserve good services for the taxes we pay and we deserve a representative who cares about our real, day-to-day needs.

I need your help on Tuesday, November 6.  It is very important that you use your power to vote. And if you decide I am deserving of your trust, I promise not to let you down.

As your State Rep, I will vote YES to protecting our workers with livable wages,
adequate sick leave, and equal pay for equal work. I will vote YES to closing tax loopholes and getting corporate special interests out of politics. I will vote YES to making smart and efficient use of our natural resources.

Doesn't this sound more like our Stratford?