In a memo earlier this month, Governor Malloy requested that state agencies come up with proposals that provide for a 10 percent percent reduction in spending.
In response, the State Board of Education announced it is considering the closing of two vocational schools.
As the father of an Emmett O’Brien graduate, I stand vehemently opposed to closing any of our vocational schools, as I believe that the technical education and training they provide are critical to the economic well-being of our state.
Rep. Gentile also recently denounced the proposal, failing however, to indicate that the discussion of schools closings and 10 percent budget cuts are a direct result of failed economic policies and tax increases of her party and the Governor.
Let’s not be fooled.
Rep Gentile’s letter and her grant announcements over the past several weeks are designed to distract from her voting record and the real issues facing our communities and our state. They are nothing more than election year stunts.
Since Rep. Gentile has refused to have a public debate, and would rather attempt to distract from the real issues this November, I decided to highlight the issues that I feel should be at the forefront this Election Day.
First, we should be discussing Rep. Gentile’s voting record as it pertains to education funding, as it reveals that during her twelve years in office, she has consistently voted to underfund the Ansonia and Derby public schools by more than 25 percent of what the school districts are entitled to under the Education Cost Sharing formula.
Since Rep. Gentile took office, our schools have had to cut programs, have lost numerous teachers and staff, and have struggled each year to keep up with the escalating costs imposed upon them by the state
Next, let’s look at the tax burdens on our residents.
Rep. Gentile voted for the two largest tax increases in state history and has been a legislative ally and supporter of the Governor’s failed economic policies.
We have all felt the detrimental impact of the tax increases, and the even worse economic impacts, resulting in lost jobs, lost businesses and additional burdens placed upon on the taxpayers.
We should be discussing the layoffs of over a one thousand state workers, and massive funding cuts to services for the disabled, the elderly and those struggling with mental health issues. Rep. Gentile voted for and supported these layoffs and cuts.
Finally, we should be examining Rep. Gentile’s record and her claims that she is bipartisan and a dealmaker.
A review of her voting record reveals that these claims are simply not true. Since Governor Malloy took office in 2011, Rep. Gentile has voted with the Governor and her party 99.2 percent of the time, casting only 15 votes out of 1898 against her party and the Governor since 2011.
So while Rep. Gentile spends her time from now until Election Day on stunts trying to distract you from the real issues in this campaign, I will continue with my message that it is time for a change, so that the people of Ansonia and Derby have an advocate that is fighting for them and not for the Governor.
Joseph A. Jaumann
Candidate for State Representative
104th District
