Submitted by State Rep Steve Meskers (D-150)
Campaigning for State Representative is so rewarding for me. I love walking the neighborhoods, knocking on doors, and talking with my constituents about their interests and concerns. Connecting with Greenwich residents is inspiring and informs the decisions I make as a legislator.
But the campaign season is unfortunately also a season of tension, accusations, misinformation, and innuendo. There’s a lot of noise out there.
In my campaign, I avoid the noise and negativity. It’s easy for me because we have a lot of good news to talk about!
When Governor Lamont took office, we faced a nearly $4 billion deficit, and the state hadn’t operated with a surplus in decades. We instituted a “debt diet” and we have successfully turned Connecticut’s economy around.
What is the evidence of that? Here are the facts:
o The budget deficit has been eliminated without raising taxes
o Connecticut now enjoys a record budget surplus of nearly $4 billion
o We secured the first bond rating upgrade in 20 years
o We honored our commitment to state employees by making full payment to the pension fund and paying down debt. This has provided us with over $450 million a year in savings that we have applied to investments in schools and cutting taxes.
With a can-do approach and an openness to all, I am working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to turn this state around. And this how I serve the residents of our wonderful town as State Representative. I don’t care what party you belong to, whether you are in a party, or even whether you are in my district. What matters to me are your ideas and concerns. I work tirelessly to solve your problems. I have forged critical ties in Hartford that have enabled me to deliver solutions and bring resources back to our community.
Connecticut is moving in the right direction, and I have been privileged to lend my expertise to this success. And, contrary to some last-minute communications you may have seen floating around, as your representative in Hartford I do not toe the party line. I listen, I weigh the evidence and I legislate to serve our community’s best interests.
To do less would be ill-serving the town I love. I respectfully ask for your vote on November 8 so that I can continue to serve you as State Representative for the 150th District.