There's an open state House seat in Newtown since Democrat Chris Lyddy chose not to seek reelection.
Democrat Lisa Romano worked as a real estate agent, served in several positions in the public schools, including AVID tutor in Stamford, educational assistant for literacy in Newtown, and substitute teacher. She was also a Wall Street law firm paralegal.
Republican Mitch Bolinsky is a Justice of the Peace, a Legislative Councilman, past Economic Development Commissioner and a part member of the Newtown Board of Ethics.
Bolinsky says there needs to be a change the mix of the grand list in Newtown and town officials are working hard to set up the infrastructure for economic development. He says that includes moving ahead with sewer line hook ups and water into some of the lesser developed areas of town including the Hawleyville/exit 9 area.
Romano says she wants to help create quality high paying jobs in the state by encouraging innovation in education to better prepare students for the global economy. She says another priority is to make state government more efficient.
Romano says she wants to help make it easier to remediate contamination at brownfield sites and to remove asbestos from the Fairfield Hills site so that it can be developed in a way that's useful for the town. She also is looking to examine the gas tax and see where other sources of revenue would be instead.
Bolinsky says he wants to look at the taxes that seniors have called a burden. He would also make reducing the cost of energy for residents and businesses a priority.
Bolinsky says the state government is overreaching and not helpful to residents. He says the government is not working to it's fullest potential for residents and wants to find ways to make Connecticut more business friendly so it can attract 21st century jobs here.
Romano says the job creation bill passed by the General Assembly this summer was a good start. She says she wants to expand on that by making it easier for people to start a business in Connecticut. Romano says whether that's reducing the amount of paperwork or giving businesses loans, there is a lot the state can do to become more business friendly.
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