[RunD1987]

Originally Posted by JayCT

From what I read in this article, I am really questioning whether I will vote for any of these candidates. They sound like they are pandering to the conservative masses rather than offering any real solutions to the problems the state faces.

They are attacking how our cities are run and preaching the typical far right BS on immigration. They do not recognize the great strides that Hartford has made in controlling its spending or recognize that some cities like New Haven are fairly well run. Herbst seems to think that as Governor he can dictate the way cities handle sanctuary cities. Kind of narrow minded IMHO.

They also preach that they are opposed to tolls which is fine but none of them seem to offer any real plan to fund our transportation system. Boughton was particularly "colorful" in his opposition and kind of blind to the fact that transportation funding has not been significantly increased in almost two decades, so I am really questioning whether I will vote for him.

Sorry but these guys really need to up their game if they will have any chance at beating the Democrats in the Fall. Whether they like it or not, our cities have a lot of voters and the majority are Democrats and will vote Democrat. Turning on them will do nothing to sway them or their supporters. Their comments may be political suicide. Jay

"Connecticut’s infrastructure is in desperate need of an overhaul.*This means providing steady and predictable funding of the State Transportation Fund (STF) to make urgent and necessary investments of almost $100 billion. We must ensure all STF funds go into a lock box where Hartford politicians can’t allocate those funds away from their intended targets. We will start this revitalization by prioritizing structural and technological changes to our infrastructure that will drive economic growth."
Obsitnik

[MrGompers]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

Still voting for Obstenik strongest in the debate. Not sure how he plans to bring jobs or set up regions of infrastructure but give it a whirl.

I don't know I mean Cities need to be more self-reliant in the State, draw less State money, lower taxes, work on reducing crime, and the State needs to help Cities out by encouraging developers to develop in these Cities.

Have lots of beautiful Cities in the State. Any that could really stand alone right now are Norwalk and Stamford.

This is never going to happen because of CT's political and geographic divisions. Only chance any of that stuff could happen is to regionalize, but we know no one is going to go for that. AT this point the divisions are not a bug but a feature. If you want to see all hell break loose here propose making Hartford county one city.

You'll have people protesting at the capital with signs saying "I pay 12k in taxes in Avon so I can pay for failing schools in Hartford "? It would be a comedy **** show like we've never seen.


As I pointed out before CT's divisions are so successful that other cities and counties in other states have tried (and in some cases succeeded) in copying it.

[RunD1987]

I think it's more along the lines of as Governor he push for each region to have a stronghold in various areas of job's to promote growth

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

"Connecticut’s infrastructure is in desperate need of an overhaul.*This means providing steady and predictable funding of the State Transportation Fund (STF) to make urgent and necessary investments of almost $100 billion. We must ensure all STF funds go into a lock box where Hartford politicians can’t allocate those funds away from their intended targets. We will start this revitalization by prioritizing structural and technological changes to our infrastructure that will drive economic growth."
Obsitnik

This says nothing more than the obvious. The lockbox question will be on the ballot in November so most likely will be in place. Just how does Obsitnik propose to provide a "steady and predictable funding"? Is it more than the current funding? Does he propose to raise the gas tax, implement tolls or provide another source of money? Does he plan to increase the state's debt to fund needed projects? These are the questions that need to be answered, not the blanket BS of a politician. Maybe it is too much to ask. Jay

[Mike 75]

Originally Posted by MrGompers

Cool but you're forgetting all the smaller cities like New Britain 80k, Meriden 60k, Middletown 50k, Bristol 55k, etc. In CT I would consider a city to have at least 50k population. With that considered city voters will hit 1 million. The only exception I can think of is West Hartford at 55k and they probably lean Republican.

You're mixing population with registered voters. New Britain only has about 34k registered voters.

Anyway, the bashing at the debate was directed specifically at Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport. Which, not surprisingly, are Dem strongholds. The GOP has no chance come November in these cities, so its no skin off their nose to single them out.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by Mike 75

There are about 2.3 million registered voters in CT. About 360,000 are in the five largest cities (Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, Stamford and Waterbury).
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/sots/E...RPES.pdf?la=en

...and I'll bet voter participation rates among low income people in those 5 cities are lousy compared to the 'burbs.



https://www.usgovernmentspending.com...ding_pie_chart


A link to a pie chart for Connecticut state spending. Unless the state adopts red state safety net public policy, I don't see where any cuts come from. I think there's going to be a lot of right wing rhetoric but no changes to spending because Connecticut doesn't want to become Alabama.

[East of the River]

I don't like anyone in the race at this point. Have to see how it shakes out. I kind of was OK with Boughton and Herbst until seeing the debate and recent interviews now not so much.
Ganim is getting big turn out on signatures to get on the ballot. Looks like he will be on the Dem primary and the general ballot as an independent if he loses the primary. Not sure how this plays out but looking at the turnout he got from voters to become mayor he may be able to get the big cities to turnout the same as the suburbs.

I have to agree for the GOP attacking the cities is a safe plan. Not enough swing voters to matter. I think it's stupid for the future of the state but smart for their politics.
Someone mentioned WH going GOP I think they have been solidly in the Democratic corner for the last decade or so.

Also I just found out about Guy Smith who is kind of a big business version of Bernie Sanders no real details on his site thou. Looks like he might make the Dem Primary as well.

[RunD1987]

What about Oz and Monte?

[BPt111]

"Boughton proposes merging the Danbury vocational tech high school with the two-year college that also teaches vocational studies."

"Herbst touting the need for investment in high-speed rail and improvements in Metro-North. No mention of how to pay for it."

"Herbst says he opposes expanding Tweed in New Haven but says expanding Sikorsky in Bridgeport/Stratford is the best way to improve air travel in CT."

"Obsitnik once again says he's against tolls, and talks about the need to invest in Metro North, and says the money needs to come from Washington."

"Boughton says Oxford, Tweed, Sikorsky, and Bradley all need expansions."

"On high speed rail, he says it's too expensive and flying cars will happen before high speed rail is developed in CT."

[BPt111]

"Boughton says state government has to be reorganized and that's where savings will come from. He then says growth will happen, and pushes for public-private partnerships."

"The last state to repeal the income tax was Florida in 1885," Herbst speaking some truth when it comes to the revenue CT relies on from the income tax. "It accounts for $9 billion, 50% of the state budget."

"Herbst responds to the, "where does the money come from," with a tax cut for the estate tax and mention of, "targeted tax relief."

"Obsitnik says he wants to cut a business tax to, "hug our customer," when responding to where the money comes from for investment in things like transportation."

"Lamont comes right out of the gate and says electronic tolls are required for investment in infrastructure."

"Lamont advocates for moving lottery revenue over to teacher's retirement funds to decrease the unfunded liability. "That would make my life a lot easier." That was a recommendation of the fiscal accountability commission."