By State Senator Dan Debicella

Happy Holidays!  Politics is likely the last thing on your family’s mind at this time of year—and that is exactly how it should be.  After eating way too much at Christmas and spending time with my family, I myself get contemplative.  I think about the year that was, and what I would like the new year to bring.  So for my column this week, I wanted to reflect on my first year in office (and what an experience it has been!) and my wishes for our community in the new year.

I’ve learned very quickly where progress happens fast in state government and where it is slow as molasses.  Progress happens fast when you have a real solution that has bipartisan support.  One of my most pleasant surprises was the large number of areas that Republicans and Democrats were able to come together this year to deliver results.

The General Assembly increased educational funding to our towns by 9-23% this year, without raising the income or sales tax.  We eliminated the cap on the Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) grant that has cost Stratford over $50 million in funds over the past decade.  We secured $17.6 million in state funding for the new Shelton Upper Elementary School.  We also passed a law that said Stratford must have the final say on what happens to Sikorsky Memorial Airport; your local officials, not state bureaucrats, will decide the fate of the airport.

Governor Rell signed my jobs-creation legislation to provide tax credits to corporations that create 10 new jobs in a year.  We passed Jessica’s Law, which imposes mandatory minimum sentences on convicted pedophiles.  We strengthened prohibitions on eminent domain, and were able to stop the dumping of toxic soil into the Housatonic River.

I also learned where progress doesn’t happen so fast in government—a large number of issues where there is still partisan bickering or where no tangible solutions have been formulated.  Thus comes my wish list for 2008—all the areas where Connecticut state government needs to make progress.

First off comes wishes for our towns.  Fortunately, Shelton is in such great shape that there isn’t much in drastic need of attention.  However, downtown revitalization and protecting the Housatonic River are too areas that will see progress in the upcoming year.  Downtown revitalization has been progressing steadily in the past few years, and is about to enter into a new phase—a $100 million private investment in retail and residential space on Canal Street.  Representative Jason Perillo and I are working on securing bonding money from the state for infrastructure improvements to enable this exciting project to move forward.

I will also continue to work to protect and promote the Housatonic River.  A new state commission, the Housatonic Estuary Commission, has been formed to both safeguard the environment and promote economic development along the river.  I plan on working with this group as it launches its mission to ensure that one of our greatest regional natural resources is maintained for generations to come.

Stratford continues to face some significant challenges in the year ahead—working to lower property taxes, cleaning up Raymark waste, and improving quality of life in our neighborhoods.  High property taxes are probably the number one issue facing Stratford.  While I am proud that I was able to help Stratford avoid worse property taxes this year through more state education funding, the long term solution is to get economic development going in Stratford.  The Army Engine Plant obviously offers a tremendous opportunity—and one that will hopefully bear fruit in the next few months.

Cleaning up Raymark toxic waste the right way will be a key issue early next year.  The EPA has suggested they may wish to consolidate some of the remaining waste in residential neighborhoods in Stratford—clearly an unacceptable option.  Instead, my wish is that they will listen to the residents of Stratford and pursue a cleanup that involves moving the toxic material out of town to an EPA “safe site” or capping the toxins in place.  I will be working closely with our community groups and government agencies to try to make this a reality.

Improving quality of life for our families is an on-going priority for Stratford.  State projects like the reconstruction of the Moses Wheeler Bridge are extremely important, but need to be done in a way that preserves the environment, reduces noise pollution, and does not unnecessarily inconvenience residents.  I will continue to monitor situations like this around town, to ensure that state government is enhancing—not harming—our quality of life.

Second comes wishes for our state as a whole.  We have several big issues that remain undone at the state capitol—reducing crime, lowering taxes, improving transportation, and making Connecticut more business-friendly state are all areas we need to make progress on in the next year. 

Protecting those we love has to be a top priority.  To that end, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly to pass meaningful anti-crime measures, including increasing penalties for home invasion and creating a workable “three strikes” law that imposes tougher penalties on those who are convicted of violent crimes.

With economic times starting to get harder, Connecticut state government needs to do more to help the finances of families and small businesses. Fighting against tax increases is always worthwhile, but doing something to actually lower taxes would be infinitely better. I plan to continue to work to control the growth of state spending and use surplus dollars to actually cut the state income tax and the state gas tax—proposals of mine that did not pass this year.

To lower taxes long-term, the key is to get job growth in Connecticut.  We can do that by creating pro-jobs legislation, such as my proposal to require a comprehensive review of all state business regulations with an eye to eliminating those that cost more than they are worth.

We also need to fix our transportation issues with common sense solutions rather than grandiose ideas.  Small ideas that increase our mass transit and road capacity will make a huge difference—building the parking garage at Stratford train station, creating a comprehensive system of buses in lower Fairfield county towns, and expanding our highways at points where traffic builds up every day.
           
Yes, there are many wishes I have for Stratford and for our state as a whole.  As I enter my second year as your State Senator, know that I will be working hard to turn these wishes into reality. 

Finally, and most importantly, comes wishes for you and your family.  I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season, and best wishes for the new year! 

Dan Debicella is the State Senator representing Stratford, Shelton, Monroe, and Seymour.  If you have feedback for him or want to talk about the issues, he can be reached toll-free at (800) 842-1421 or by e-mail at dan.debicella@cga.ct.gov.