The partisan politics we are seeing at the national level is just as prevalent at the state level. The majority party Democrats have controlled the state legislature for the past 38 years. During this time, the minority party Republicans have been locked out of budget negotiations.
Our current state representative, Theresa Conroy, has been part of the partisan divide in Hartford. Rep. Conroy and her party leadership have failed to balance the state’s budget, even though they passed the second largest tax increase in our state’s history.
The minority party Republicans presented their plan for Connecticut, which balanced our state’s budget with no tax increases or cuts to necessary services. Yet, Rep. Conroy decided to pass a budget that cut essential funding to opioid addiction programs, vo-tech schools, rape crisis centers and additional programs that benefit the people in our society that need it the most.
On the local level, I am proud to see our elected officials working together. Nicole Klarides-Ditria was unanimously voted on by Republicans and Democrats on the Board of Selectmen to serve as the Deputy First Selectman of Seymour. Nicole has distinguished herself as someone who has successfully worked together with everyone no matter their party affiliation. She will bring this much-needed quality to Hartford, and that is why I will be supporting her for state representative this November.
Please join me in voting for Nicole Klarides-Ditria on November 8.
Annmarie A.A. Drugonis
The writer is a member of the Seymour Board of Selectmen.
