Rep. Linda M. Gentile (D‑Derby, Ansonia) was interviewed on the Connecticut Network (CT‑N) after Governor Dannel Malloy’s opening day address at the state legislature Jan. 4.
“The 2017 General Assembly is just getting underway, but I am encouraged by the direction and tone in the Governor’s address,” said Rep. Gentile, now in her seventh term. In her post-address reaction Gentile said “the Governor focused on three key areas to help solve Connecticut’s fiscal problems; responsible spending cuts and smaller government; proper funding and careful analysis of the state’s pension obligations; and distribution of aid to cities and towns, specifically in the area of public education funding. He also called for more predictability and sustainability of the state budget. These themes should soothe CT businesses, both large and small, and bring hope for a brighter economic outlook for everyone.”
“While all three are equally important I am especially interested in education funding. Small cities like Ansonia and Derby have been underfunded and struggling for far too long. It has been a personal frustration throughout my time in the legislature. A system based on community burden and challenges is fair, equitable, and levels the educational playing field. I’m sure some of my colleagues will argue this approach will cause “turf wars,” but that claim is unfair. Now is the time to seek balance and correct our past mistakes. Solving the school funding imbalance will require a bipartisan effort whose goal is to achieve a quality education for all of our children no matter where they live. I hope we can find common ground without partisan posturing.”
