Assembly Candidate Tenders Ideas

To Create State Jobs

By John Voket

Republican challenger George Ferguson, who is campaigning against Representative Chris Lyddy for the 106th District legislative seat, released the second in a series of position papers this week. At the same time, Rep Lyddy responded to claims made by the GOP challenger in his previous position statement.

(Read the full text of both position papers at newtownbee.com)

In his latest position statement, Mr Ferguson is seeking to clarify where he stands on the state’s ability to sustain and create new jobs, and the measures he would support towards that end.

“Connecticut carries a heavy tax burden and employers recognize this, not only for themselves and their businesses, but for their employees as well,” Mr Ferguson writes. “It is a major reason businesses are less likely to locate or expand their businesses in our state.”

The GOP challenger points out that Connecticut’s debt per capita is the fourth highest in the nation. “And that doesn’t even include the cost to cover unfunded pension and health liabilities of state workers,” he stated. “It’s no wonder, then, that Connecticut has experienced negative job growth over the past 20 years, the worst in the country.”

Mr Ferguson said, “It’s is not rocket science but common sense solutions that we need to consider, including holding the line on taxes, reducing spending, and paring down debt.”

To that end, if elected, the GOP challenger said he would consider the following policy changes that might lead to a solution to the state’s employment crisis, including:

*Repealing the ten percent corporate tax surcharge

*Expanding job creation tax credits

*Creating a tax credit for businesses that hire people from the unemployment rolls

*Repealing the business entity tax

Mr Ferguson stated he would immediately institute a dialogue on solutions like:

*Providing tax incentives to emerging and next generation industries

*Proving grants and managerial guidance to entrepreneurs with creative, innovative ideas

*Establishing incubators to foster and nurture emerging young companies

“Like many problems, there is no magic bullet or easy solution,” Mr Ferguson said. “But Connecticut was once a magnet for businesses, entrepreneurs, and affluent individuals; with common sense and a concerted effort, it can be once again.”

At the same time, Rep Lyddy contacted the newspaper regarding some of the contentions in Mr Ferguson’s original position paper, which was posted online last week. Details of that position are outlined in this week’s edition of The Bee.

Rep Lyddy expressed disappointment in Mr Ferguson’s suggestions and “approach to addressing the Connecticut economy.”

“Rather than focusing on solutions, he dwells on the problems,” Mr Lyddy said. “We need leaders who can talk about what they’ve done and how they’ll make a difference.”

The incumbent legislator referred to his “opponent’s thoughts given his actions on the Legislative Council,” saying Mr Ferguson “voted to raise property taxes and bond projects typically included in the operating budget.”

Rep Lyddy said he supports results-based accountability (RBA) as a way for the legislature, state agencies, and private service providers contracted with the state to set goals for programs, evaluate programs according to those goals, and to use that evaluation when determining which programs will receive funding and which will be cut.

Admitting that as a local council representative Rep Lyddy did indeed support a Newtown budget that affected a tax increase, he differentiated himself from the GOP challenger, saying, “The difference is I understand the importance of a balanced approach and have continuously reinforced this point. George is claiming it can all be done with cuts even though his votes and actions don’t reflect that.”

Rep Lyddy further clarified that in his assessment, as a sitting council representative, Mr Ferguson “raised taxes while also cutting services such as road improvements and educational assistants.”