Submitted by John Cooper, Greenwich
Two years ago, I engaged in the successful effort to elect Rachel Khanna to the state legislature by canvassing with Rachel and calling voters. I was fully dedicated to her success because I knew she would be incredibly effective at reaching across the aisle to get things done.
Having spent time with Rachel and her family, I came to know an extremely intelligent, diligent and trustworthy candidate. Her actions in Hartford over the past two years have confirmed these qualities and, not surprisingly, she has joined with Steve Meskers and Hector Arzeno to become the delegation that has returned $100MM to Greenwich.
Over the past month various letters to the editor have outlined the “frightening possibility” of a Democratic supermajority in Hartford. Republicans, when faced with Democratic success, always resort to the politics of fear. Where Rachel is concerned, that fear is misplaced. Rachel does not vote for bills she doesn’t agree with and is by no means a rubber stamp.
Yesterday, my wife came home from the grocery store and proceeded to tell me that she had met Rachel’s opponent, Tina Courpas outside the Stop & Shop. When asked if she was a Greenwich voter, my wife said, “Yes but a Democrat, so you’ll have no interest in me.” A second woman approached my wife and said, “I’m a Democrat but I’m voting for Tina because I’m fearful of a supermajority in Hartford that would be veto proof.”
Granted it’s a novel approach, but why would Greenwich residents vote against such an excellent candidate who has been so effective for her district in Hartford?
The minority party has multiple tools for preventing bills from coming up for a vote, and they use them all the time. They call it “running out the clock.” They introduce multiple DOA amendments, or they filibuster, essentially grinding everything to a halt until Democrats drop the legislation if they want to get anything done. They use these tools effectively every session. In fact, there is already a supermajority in the Senate, but that has not stopped Republicans from preventing bills they hate, like last session’s climate bill from passing or even coming up for a vote.
Further, Greenwich has had a veto-proof Republican majority for most of the last century, with Republicans controlling both the Board of Selectmen and the BET, yet no one seems overly concerned about THAT.
I believe Rachel has earned the right to return to Hartford this term where she will no doubt continue to legislate for the benefit of D149. With a few sessions behind her, her effectiveness can only grow. Please vote in your best interest and re-elect Rachel Khanna as our State Representative from D149 in Hartford.