For The State Legislature

As much as we might wish for Newtown to be a place unto itself, the town is dependent on the state for essential services and support to make our schools better, our roads smoother and less congested, our water and air cleaner, and our laws enforceable. Fortunately, the town has a team of experienced legislators representing the town’s interests in Hartford. We are supporting the reelection of State Senator John McKinney, and State Representatives Julia Wasserman and DebraLee Hovey.

John McKinney, who is seeking his fourth term in the 28th District, has secured positions on several key committees in the State Senate, including the Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee and the Transportation Committee. He is also ranking member of the Environment Committee and is poised as minority whip to assume a leadership role in coming sessions. He played a key role in securing more than 18,000 acres of utility land as open space in Fairfield County, including 642 acres in Newtown. He also worked Senate-side in support of State Rep Wasserman’s efforts to get hundreds of acres of Fairfield Hills land transferred successfully to the town. Having John McKinney in position to have Newtown’s voice heard in Hartford as Newtown sets about to finance and implement its vision for projects at Fairfield Hills and throughout the town will be key to the success of those plans.

We would like to commend, however, the candidacy of Mr McKinney’s Democratic opponent, Morgan Graham, who placed special emphasis in this race on transportation issues important to every commuter. Her articulate and sensitive voice on this and other issues was a welcome addition to public discourse in this region. We hope to hear more from her in the months and years to come.

As a member of the legislature’s Education Committee, DebraLee Hovey has been a consistent voice for reform of the state’s Education Cost Sharing program, which has diverted millions in education funds from suburban towns like Newtown in recent years. This has had a dramatic negative effect on the property tax rate in Newtown. Ms Hovey has also been a persistent watchdog and persuasive advocate of state plans to improve traffic flow on Route 25. We need to keep her on the job in Hartford ensuring that Newtown’s voice is heard on these important issues.

Finally, Julia Wasserman has proven her worth to Newtown voters over and over again. Unopposed this year, except by a minor party candidate, the veteran state representative has earned bipartisan respect, trust, and admiration locally for her untiring work in securing Fairfield Hills for the town. Beyond the headlines, however, she has put together a record of constituent service that few legislators have equaled in our memory. She is intelligent, unassuming, thorough, fair, and extremely passionate about issues directly affecting the health and well-being of ordinary people. Year after year, Newtown puts its best foot forward in Hartford in the person of Julia Wasserman.