I would like to thank the people of Stratford, Shelton, Monroe, and Seymour for re-electing me for a second term as state senator. I am honored to continue serving the people of our towns, and humbled by the trust that has been given to me.
We have many challenges to face in the next two years. Locally, we need to continue Shelton downtown redevelopment, advance the Stratford Army Engine Plant project, create a viable plan for cleaning up Raymark waste in Stratford, and fix traffic problems on Routes 25 and 111 in Monroe. Although I cannot claim to have all the answers, I will work with both Republicans and Democrats to find bipartisan solutions to these issues.
Now that the election is behind us, it is time to look ahead to the quickly approaching 2009 Legislative Session. We will consider a lot of bills dealing with a wide variety of subjects during the five-month regular session. The three biggest challenges facing us in the next year will be improving the economy, lowering energy costs, and eliminating the state budget deficit without raising taxes. I have already begun work on legislative proposals to address each of these three issues, which I discussed in my last column.
But as I knocked on over 3,000 doors in the last few months, I realized that some of the best ideas come from you. In our everyday experiences, we all see where state government can do a better job—an interaction with the DMV, noticing where traffic backs up on state roads, or a successful new law a cousin told us was being tried in Colorado. Going door-to-door I received a few dozen great ideas that I am going to be working on in the next few months (some of them new legislation, some of them issues that can be fixed without a new law).
I am looking for more ideas, because all new legislation ideas for 2009 must be submitted in draft form by January (and because I can’t knock on every door in our district!). If you have an idea for either a new law, or just a problem in your neighborhood that needs fixing, I would ask you to call me at (800) 842-1421 or e-mail me at dan.debicella@cga.ct.gov and let me know what it is.
Obviously, I cannot promise that new ideas will pass the legislature (we have over 5,000 bills submitted each year and only 150 become law), but the only way change happens is if good ideas are introduced into the debate.
In the next few weeks, I will detail some of the proposals I am working on as well as some of the ideas I get from you. Working together, we can face the challenges that 2009 will bring and accomplish some positive change for Connecticut families.
Dan Debicella is the State Senator representing Shelton, Stratford, 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.
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