Letters Of Endorsement

To the Editor:

How fortunate we are to have two qualified candidates running for state representative. This is a case where we get to vote for one candidate and not against the other. We proudly support Newtown’s own, Chris Lyddy, for state representative!

Chris Lyddy was raised here, attended the public schools, and returned to Newtown after graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania. He ran for Legislative Council, received the most votes of any candidate, and clearly has his finger on the pulse of Newtown. Education, taxes, and small business are his focus. Chris demonstrated strong character early on, as a high school athlete he suffered a serious injury, but he didn’t let that stop him from contributing to his community, instead he performed a record number of public service hours.

Chris is already well-known and respected in Hartford. I was on business a little while ago I and ran into the anticipated Majority Leader of the House, Representative Christopher Donovan. When I introduced myself from Newtown his comment was, “You’re from Chris Lyddy’s town.” Recently, Connecticut’s Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and State Comptroller Nancy Wyman endorsed Chris as well.

Chris supports programs that promote economic fairness and efficiencies so that our seniors and children can remain in Newtown. Mr Rodgers proposes reformulating the state ECS grant equation. Not bad, but Mr Lyddy believes the entire structure that funds education on the backs of property owners needs revamping. We agree with Mr Lyddy. Reformulation tinkers around the edges of the problem. Practically speaking, significant reformulation will never pass the city vote in the General Assembly. And, even if there were significant reformulation, it doesn’t get the job done. 2006/2007 to 2008/2009 saw a 9.7 percent increase in state ECS money to Newtown (an increase of $381,851). If reformulation raised Newtown’s State ECS money 20 percent it would be a difference of about $403,000, hardly consequential with a Newtown annual budget in excess of $100 million (less than one half of one percent). Chris Lyddy calls for a bipartisan study that includes cost controls, flexible alternative methods for municipalities to generate revenues, and potential property tax caps. In short, everything should be on the table. There has been some previous discussion of property tax relief at the state level, however it was not bipartisan and proposed property tax caps had more exceptions than the rule. Some aptly referred to it as the “leaky cap” proposal.

In addition, Chris’s voting record strongly supports education. One potential program study is to provide college tuition credits to Connecticut students majoring in science and mathematics who choose to stay and work in Connecticut. Connecticut must strengthen its commitment to jobs and small business. One of the top concerns of the Connecticut Business Institute Association is the growing lack of skilled workers in Connecticut. Moreover, national security requires America be first in technology, and first in research and development.

We like Chris Lyddy’s fresh ideas and undaunted enthusiasm. Good luck to both gentlemen.

Thank you.

Jim and Stephanie Gaston

18 Main Street, Newtown                                             October 1, 2008