To The Editor:

In his letter the DTC Chairman misleads voters by suggesting that legislating is a simple, binary litmus test, rather than complicated negotiations on legislative packages. A legislator like Rep Bolinsky may work for months to find better solutions or manage a negative impact it would have on Newtown residents, only to vote against it because there was still some unpalatable element. For example, he is a leader on every budget but has a red line and refuses to vote for a tax hike. In legislating these things are known as a “poison pill.” The cherry-picking Alex is doing is partisan politics at its worst. Newtown voters are smarter than that.

Mitch’s opponent recently criticized him for not supporting a transportation bill that ultimately passed. Is this proof Mitch does not support transportation? We know that is not the case from his record of accomplishments. What she fails to mention is the bill was passed with a “strike-all amendment” where changes were made in a back room, out of public view and many Reps were not given an opportunity to review it before voting. “You need to pass it to read it” will remain common practice in Hartford unless people push back. Would she?

That bill also had no plan to finish the I-84 improvements so bottlenecks won’t push cars onto Newtown roads. Let’s finish the job. So she is OK with traffic backing up at the flagpole for the next decade?

Mitch has been endorsed by many groups over his tenure in recognition of his effectiveness. He passes bipartisan bills and is a respected voice whose opinions are considered even on issues where he may disagree. Perhaps his opponent will blindly follow party leadership, but Rep Bolinsky has shown good governance requires more nuance.

Michele Buzzi

Newtown