Jonathan Kantrowitz

I’ve been to most of the restaurants in Fairfield. However new places keep opening up . Here are my current favorites:

Asian

Wild Rice
1612 Post Rd

Hunan Pavillion
80 Post Rd

King & I Thai Restaurant
260 Post Rd

Lilac House
2480 Black Rock Tpke

Italian

Liana’s Trattoria
591 Tunxis Hill Rd

Maione’s Brick Oven Pizza
1244 Stratfield Rd

Paci Restaurant
96 Station St, Southport
Dinner Menu

Centro
1435 Post Road
Dinner Menu

Cinzano’s
1920 Black Rock Tpke

European

Barcelona
4180 Black Rock Tpke

Cafe Lola
57 Unquowa Rd.
Dinner Menu

Osianna Mediterranean Taverna
70 Reef Road
Dinner Menu

55 Degrees Wine Bar & Restaurant
55 Miller Street
Dinner Menu

American

Old Post Tavern
1418 Post Road
Dinner Menu

Tucker’s Cafe
397 Commerce Dr

Southport Brewery
2600 Post Road
Dinner Menu

Places I have not yet been to and would like to try:

Bonda

The Brasserie
52 Sanford St.
Dinner Menu

Cafe Madeline
1603 Post Rd

Greenhouse Grill

Grey Goose

Kiraku Japanese & Asian Grill
1795 Post Road

Martel Restaurant
2316 Post Road
Menus

NUVO Tapas Bar & Lounge
238 Fairfield Avenue
Menu

CT’s Long-term Unemployment Rate the 4th Highest in Nation

Connecticut’s long-term unemployment rate is the fourth highest among all states, according to a new Labor Day weekend report on jobs and wages in the state. “The State of Working Connecticut 2010,” released by Connecticut Voices for Children, a research-based policy think tank, also finds that only the Health and Education job sector showed significant job growth during the current recession and that the continued health of this job sector may be threatened by the prospect of state budget cuts. Steep losses of middle-class jobs in the state as well as racial, ethnic, and gender wage gaps also limit economic opportunities, according to the report.

To restore broader economic opportunities and to help families through the recession, the report recommends that the state develop a focused and strategic economic plan, avoid severe state budget cuts that would worsen job losses, ramp up supports for unemployed families, and increase investments in education and worker training.

“To restore opportunity for Connecticut families, we need to maintain our supports for them until we can get Connecticut’s economy working again,” said Jamey Bell, Executive Director of Connecticut Voices for Children. “We can’t return to economic prosperity by undercutting supports for struggling families.”

Among the report’s findings:

· Long-term unemployment and underemployment rates indicate serious challenges for Connecticut’s economy. The long-term unemployment rate in Connecticut – the share of unemployed workers who have been out of work for 6 months or more, despite looking for work — is the fourth highest in the country at 37%. The underemployment rate – which includes the unemployed, part-time workers who want to work full-time, and discouraged workers who have stopped looking for work — is at a historic high for the state, at 14%.

· Only the Health and Education job sector experienced substantial job growth since the beginning of the recession, growing by 4.6% from March 2008 through 2010. Connecticut Voices expressed concern that the state’s only successful job sector may be threatened by state budget cuts, since this sector is heavily dependent on public sector investment.

· In recent years, middle-wage occupations have experienced the steepest job losses. This group of occupations, which include middle-class jobs such as carpenters, truck drivers, and bookkeepers, have lost 6.8% of their positions between 2006 and 2009. Connecticut Voices suggested this was a troubling loss of occupations that have traditionally provided living wages. Only the highest 20% of occupations by wage, including dentists, lawyers, and registered nurses, increased their number of jobs, by 5.6% since 2006.

· Racial, ethnic, and gender gaps in wages are much wider in Connecticut than among workers in other states. The median wage for Connecticut’s African Americans was only 62% of the white median wage in 2009, compared to 78% for African Americans nationally. Hispanics earned only 60% of the median wage of whites in the state, compared to 70% nationally. Connecticut also has the sixth worst gender gap in wages among all states, with women earning 76% of men’s median wages, compared to 82% nationally.

“The pain of this recession has been concentrated among low- and middle-wage workers, while the gains of the previous economic expansion were primarily enjoyed by high-wage workers,” said Joachim Hero, Research Associate at Connecticut Voices for Children and co-author of the report. “Connecticut should aggressively pursue an economic development strategy that benefits all workers.”

Connecticut Voices also released a supplemental report, “State of Working Connecticut 2010: Trends in Local Labor Market Areas,” which summarized local wage, unemployment, and business trends in Connecticut’s nine Labor Market Areas: Bridgeport-Stamford, Danbury, Enfield, Hartford, New Haven, Norwich-New London, Torrington, Waterbury, and Willimantic-Danielson.

“Wage and business trends can vary in local job markets,” said Orlando Rodriguez, Senior Policy Fellow at Connecticut Voices for Children and co-author of the report. “State and local policymakers should tailor their economic development strategies to regional economic conditions.”

To help restore broader economic opportunities and to help families through the recession, the report recommends that Connecticut:

· Avoid more state budget cuts that would undermine the economy and weaken supports for working families and the unemployed. Just as the needs of families are rising, the revenues available to support them have declined. Connecticut Voices called for a balanced approach to reducing the state budget deficit that includes new revenues, to avoid deep cuts that would cost jobs and delay the economic recovery.

· Establish a clear economic development strategy for the state that includes closing the achievement gaps in Connecticut’s schools and critically evaluating the success of the state’s economic development initiatives, including its growing use of business tax credits.

· Ramp up supports for the families of lower wage workers and workers who have lost their jobs, including health insurance, housing, and child care supports.

· Expand our public investment in education and training. Recent economic analyses indicate that direct investments in education, including early childhood, K-12 and higher education, can be effective in creating jobs and improving opportunities for Connecticut residents.

The State of Working Connecticut is released each year in partnership with the Economic Policy Institute, an economic think tank based in Washington, D.C. Connecticut Voices for Children is a statewide, research and policy organization that works to advance strategic public investment and wise public policies to benefit our state’s children, youth and families

A greatly expanded Connecticut subsidized employment program, which has provided jobs for over 6,000 low-income parents and youth, will never reach its full potential unless Congress this fall extends the federal program that funded it, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

The employment program uses federal dollars provided through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which President Obama and Congress created in last year’s Recovery Act, to create subsidized jobs for low-income Connecticut residents with children and working-age youth who otherwise would be unemployed. Many of the job placements are with private-sector businesses and some already have led to permanent, unsubsidized jobs.

One worker who has benefited from the program is Sheila Barnes. Barnes was employed by a health care agency, on a per diem basis, sometimes working as little as 12 hours a week before a new subsidized job opportunity came along. Since June, Barnes has been working at Charter Oak Square Apartments, a leasing agency with both residential and commercial space. She uses her previously attained customer services skills in assisting residents and answering leasing related inquiries, and says she has learned a lot in a short period of time.

While her 12-week subsidized opportunity will come to an end, Barnes plans to study for her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) degree beginning in January and her five-year goal is to become a registered nurse. She does not know if Charter Oak will be able to hire her when the subsidy ends, but says that she feels that having the reference and experience from Charter Oak on her resume goes a long way in building her career.

“This opportunity has been amazing,” said Barnes. “I wish the program was longer so that I could gain even more experience.”

The federal TANF Emergency Fund that pays for the subsidized employment program is set to expire on September 30 unless Congress extends it. Connecticut will continue its program, but with fewer resources available will be limited in the number of people it can serve in the program.

“This program provided the catalyst for multiple state and local government agencies, philanthropy and non-profits to come together to create valuable job opportunities for our most vulnerable families,” said Elaine Zimmerman, executive director of the Connecticut Commission on Children.

At 8.9 percent Connecticut’s unemployment rate is somewhat below the national average, but many people remain unemployed and increasing numbers have been unemployed for an extended period. Another bleak monthly national employment report is due out tomorrow from the Department of Labor.

“It makes no sense to shut down an effective jobs program and put more people out of work right now,” said LaDonna Pavetti, co-author of the report. “It’s the opposite of what the country needs: jobs will evaporate, unemployed mothers and fathers will struggle to make ends meet, and it will add more strain to the already fragile economic recovery.”

The House has voted twice to extend the TANF Emergency Fund, which has placed an estimated 250,000 low-income parents and youth in subsidized private- or public-sector jobs nationwide. But, the Senate has yet to act. The costs of the House extensions were fully offset and would not add to the deficit.

The Emergency Fund was included in last year’s Recovery Act with the purpose of providing states with extra resources to meet the increased need for assistance during a recession. The Fund gives states the ability to put money in the hands of people who will spend it, which helps lessen the damage that the recession would have otherwise done to the economy and especially to vulnerable populations.

Thirty-seven states operate subsidized employment programs using these funds. Yet many of the programs — including most of the largest ones — will have to close their doors on September 30 if Congress doesn’t extend the fund; others plan to greatly scale back operations.

3.4 million workers in firms likely to take up tax credit by 2013; small businesses are the first group to receive direct subsidies under the Affordable Care Act

16.6 million small business employees work in firms that will be eligible for tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to a new Commonwealth Fund report. The credits, designed to offset health insurance premium costs and help small businesses afford and maintain health insurance, are available in taxable years beginning in 2010. Researchers estimate that by 2013, 3.4 million workers may work in firms that take advantage of the tax credit. The tax credits increase in value in 2014, from up to 35 percent of the employer’s premium contribution to up to 50 percent.

The report, Realizing the Potential of Health Reform: Small Businesses and the Affordable Care Act of 2010, finds that relief for small businesses is greatly needed, as most of the erosion in employer health coverage over the last decade has taken place in small firms. Nearly all firms (98 percent) with 200 or more employees offer health benefits compared to only 46 percent of firms with fewer than 10 employees. In addition, 52 percent of workers in firms with fewer than 50 employees are uninsured or underinsured.

Report authors and Commonwealth Fund researchers Sara Collins, Karen Davis, Jennifer Nicolson, and Kristof Stremikis, note that small businesses are the first group to receive direct subsides under provisions of the Affordable Care Act. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the tax credits could provide up to $40 billion in support to small businesses over the next 10 years and reduce their health insurance premiums 8 to 11 percent by 2016, the report states. Additional savings will be realized by 2020 through provisions that reduce administrative spending and increase competition among insurers participating in insurance exchanges.

“The Affordable Care Act is a big step forward for small businesses and their employees,” said Commonwealth Fund President Karen Davis. “Not only will business owners see immediate benefits from the tax credits, but owners and employees alike will be protected from steep premium increases and high out-of-pocket costs, ensuring they will have access to the stable, secure health insurance they deserve.”

In order to qualify for the tax credits, which eligible employers can claim on their tax returns starting with taxable year 2010, employers must pay at least 50 percent of their employees’ health insurance premiums, the report explains. The tax credits are determined by the business’ size and average wage. For example, a firm with 10 or fewer full-time employees and average wages of $25,000 or less would qualify for the maximum 35 percent credit. The credit phases out as average wage and business size increase—firms with workforces between 10 and 25 employees or average wages between $25,000 and $50,000 receive smaller credits. The tax credits increase to 50 percent of the premium contribution in 2014, but are limited to two years. Tax-exempt organizations are also eligible for the tax credits, but at a lower rate: 25 percent in 2010 and 35 percent in 2014. Rules for how to apply for and receive the credit are available at www.IRS.gov.

In addition to the tax credits, several other ACA provisions going into effect in 2010 will benefit small businesses and their employees:

• Administrative Cost Limits. Currently, small businesses have among the highest share of their health insurance premiums going toward administrative costs, according to the report. For example, administrative costs and profits account for between 15 and 25 percent of health insurance premiums paid by businesses with fewer than 50 employees. In contrast, only 5 to 15 percent of premiums paid by businesses with more than 50 employees go toward administrative costs and profits. Beginning in 2010, health plans will be required to report the proportion of premiums spent on things other than medical care. Furthermore, starting January 1, 2011, health plans providing insurance to small businesses and individuals will be required to limit spending on administrative costs to not more than 20 percent of premiums. Health plans that exceed the limits will be required to give rebates to enrollees.

• Annual Review of Premium Increases. Small business premiums could also be driven lower as the ACA requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and individual states to establish processes to review insurer’s premium increases. HHS recently announced an initial set of grants to 45 states and the District of Columbia of $46 million to help states carry out premium review. In addition, health insurers will be required to justify unreasonable rate increases publicly, and insurers that demonstrate a pattern of unreasonable increases may be excluded from participating in insurance exchanges starting in 2014. The agency is to release guidelines on what constitutes an unreasonable premium increase.

• Preexisting Condition Insurance Plans. Employees of small businesses who do not have coverage through their employers and who have been unable to secure health insurance because of a health condition will benefit from new Preexisting Condition Plans (PCIPS). Now available in most states, PCIPS will be open to people who have been uninsured for at least six months and who have a health problem that has made it difficult for them to gain health insurance. Premiums will be set for a standard population in the individual insurance market and cannot vary by more than a factor of four, based on age. The PCIPS will operate until 2014 when state insurance exchanges become available.

The remaining ACA provisions that will most affect small businesses and their employees will take place in 2014, including:
• Participation in State Health Insurance Exchanges. Five million workers are estimated to either gain health insurance or have their coverage stabilized and improved through their employers once state-run health insurance exchanges are up and running in 2014, according to the report. Businesses with fewer than 50 or100 employees, depending on the state, will be eligible to purchase health insurance for their workers through the exchanges. All plans offered through the exchanges will have to meet federal essential benefit standards, have no lifetime or annual limits on what insurers will pay, and must limit out-of-pocket costs to $5,950 for a single person and $11,900 for a family. Deductibles for small businesses can be no greater than $2,000 for a single policy or $4,000 for a family policy.

• Essential Benefit Standards. Beginning in 2014, all health insurance plans sold in insurance exchanges and through the small group market will have to provide a standard, comprehensive benefit package.

• Health Status Can No Longer Factor Into Premiums and Coverage Decisions. Currently, insurers can deny coverage or charge exorbitant premiums based on health status. As of 2014, insurers participating in the health insurance exchanges or selling insurance in the individual and small group markets will only be able to use certain factors to determine premiums: 1) whether an individual or family is covered; 2) the geographic area where coverage is being offered; 3) age, but by no more than a factor of 3 to 1; and 4) tobacco use. In addition, as of 2014, insurers cannot deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions.

• Affordable, Comprehensive, Stable Health Insurance for Workers Whose Employers Don’t Offer Insurance. People working for small businesses who aren’t offered insurance through their employers will be eligible to buy health insurance through the insurance exchanges. Workers with incomes up to $88,000 for a family of four who are buying their own coverage through the exchanges will be eligible for subsidies to help them pay their premiums. In addition, Medicaid is expanded to include everyone earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $29,327 a year for a family of four.

“When it comes to purchasing health insurance, small businesses have long been at a disadvantage compared to larger firms. Because of high costs, many of them stopped offering health insurance or asked employees to pay larger percentages of premiums,” said lead author and Commonwealth Fund Vice President Sara Collins. “This new, regulated health insurance marketplace evens the playing field and gives small businesses comprehensive, affordable options for covering their workers.”

Martel Restaurant
2316 Post Road
Menus

Paci Restaurant
96 Station St, Southport
Dinner Menu

The Shack
2070 Post Road

Southport Brewery
2600 Post Road
Dinner Menu

Also:

Friendly’s

Grey Goose

Bangalore Restaurant & Bar
1342 Kings Highway Cutoff

Bella Sera Ristorante
437 Tunxis Hill Rd
Dinner Menu

Black Rock Oyster Bar & Grill
348 Black Rock Tpke
Dinner Menu

Coppia
937 Post Rd

Fairfield Cafe
770 Commerce Dr
Dinner Menu

Mancuso’s Restorante & Bar
601 Kings Highway East
Dinner Menu

Spice n’ Ice
222 Post Rd
Menu

Sweet Basil
284 Black Rock Tpke

Vinny’s Grill and Grotto
Post Rd

also:

Apizza Center
116 Post Rd

Frank Pepe Pizzeria
236 Commerce Dr

Hunan Pavillion
80 Post Rd

Joe’s American Bar & Grill
750 Post Rd

King & I Thai Restaurant
260 Post Rd

Kobis Japanese Steakhouse
451 Kings Hwy E

L.C. Chen’s
303 Tunxis Hill Cut Off

Liana’s Trattoria
591 Tunxis Hill Rd

Maiones Brick Oven Pizza
1244 Stratfield Rd

Luigi’s
170 Post Rd

Mamma Mina’s Restaurant
881 Post Rd

Panda IV Pavilion
923 Post Rd

Pizza Post
200 Tunxis Hill Rd

Shiki Hana Japanese Bistro
222 Post Road

Three Corner Restaurant
1023 Brooklawn Ave

Tucker’s Cafe
397 Commerce Dr

Vazzy’s

By wtfdnucsailor

This is the tenth and final article in a series of blog posting regarding the plans of the Republican and Democratic candidates for governor, Tom Foley and Dan Malloy. All of the information provided in the posting is from the candidate’s web sites, http://www.danmalloy.com/policy and http://www.tomfoley2010.com clicking on the “Issues” and “Tom’s Plan” selections. The opinions are my own and not cleared with either candidate’s staff. In the interest of full disclosure, I am a supporter of Dan Malloy and worked as a volunteer on his 2006 campaign as well as the current 2010 campaign.

Over the past two weeks, I have presented each section of the two candidates’ plans side by side. If less is more, then Foley wins hands down. His plan turns out to be seven pages in my word document. The Malloy plan is a whopping forty eight pages with great detail. I guess that is fitting since most Republicans believe less government is better. Obviously a short plan will lead to less government. From the Democratic perspective, government is good and Malloy shows just how he plans to shape and change much of the state government in great detail.

Of course, there is no guarantee that either of the candidate’s will do what they lay out on their web site when actually in office, but like a stock prospectus, it is an indication of the plan and direction each candidate will pursue once in office.

I left out most of the explanatory text in the plans and just noted the planned action items. Both plans are written in the first person, so I kept that same format as I quoted or paraphrased from each plan.

As noted by my moniker, I am a former naval person and one of the first things we learned in military planning was that no plan survives intact from first contact with the enemy. However, having a detailed plan with options based on possible reactions to the plan will generally lead to more success than a brief plan with few alternatives. I also learned to adhere to the “seven Ps- Prior proper planning prevents p*** poor performance.”

So, I will conclude this series with some direct comparisons between the two plans and leave the reader to decide which plan would be best for Connecticut in the next four years.

Where the plans are the same or similar

1. Both candidates plan to work personally on recruiting new companies to Connecticut.

2. Both candidates will ask the legislature to adapt the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for budget and spending analysis at the state level just as it is required for municipalities.

3. Both candidates will look to other states as “benchmarks” for tax rates and tax policies.

4. Both candidates are in favor of electronic health records as one item to help reduce healthcare costs and increase benefit to the patient.

5. Both candidates see alternative energy sources as one of the ways to improve the environment and reduce the cost of using energy.

The Emphasis of each plan

“Governor” Foley’s plan has two points of emphasis. The first is to reduce taxes and spending. To quote – “. In my first year, I pledge to reduce the cost of state government by at least $1 billion to help balance the budget and make state government affordable again.” Foley also promises to veto any attempt by the legislature to raise taxes. Foley also states that he will not take a salary as Governor. The second point of emphasis is the aim to be “business friendly” to the exclusion of any other constituency. Not only reducing taxes on businesses but also reducing regulations and red tape and anything else that will hinder the conduct of free enterprise. For example, the only comment on transportation is that he will direct the Transportation Strategy Board to incorporate employer’s needs into any proposed plan.

When Foley’s plan gets beyond business development and reducing taxes and government spending, it becomes very general and mostly what I would call “boilerplate”. For example, healthcare costs may be reduced by permitting the interstate sale of health insurance. A general statement that Connecticut energy costs are too high and that energy efficiency and sources of alternative energy should be encouraged. Public Safety is summarized by saying the state law enforcement agencies should communicate with neighboring states and the Federal Government about potential terrorist threats.

“Governor” Malloy’s plan is very detailed in all areas. In my analysis I only picked out the action statements. If you read the plan on line you will see that each action item is detailed and surrounded by how a similar action was done in Stamford successfully. For example, Mayor Malloy successfully lobbied the Federal Government for funds for Stamford to improve the city’s infrastructure. He also was personally involved in recruiting businesses to Stamford.

Malloy has a unique plan in economic development that will involve local political and business leaders in planning and carrying out the economic development for their region assisted by the support of the state.

As noted in the individual posting, the Education portion of the plan reflects Malloy’s own educational experience as well as his efforts in making education available for all in Stamford. His Health Care plan covers mental as well as physical health.

The Malloy plan is superior to the Foley plan in all respects. Rather than a series of bullet points, it is a well thought our listing of actions “Governor” Malloy believes are necessary for Connecticut to succeed in the immediate and the far future.

Voter Decision

The voter will have to decide if a governor that is pro business and anti taxes and spending with little else to offer in his plan is the best for Connecticut or if a governor that has thought about what to do as a governor in nearly all areas of state government and offered a detailed outline of his plans with extensive backup and has shown experience in running a government of a large city in the state is the best choice.

The real question is whether the Malloy campaign will be able to distill the details of his plan into “bite sized” nuggets in thirty second commercials. The vague generalities of the Foley plan are more conducive to the campaign ad. It is not likely that most voters will see any of the planned debates where Malloy’s knowledge of the workings of government and debating ability should serve him in good stead when compared to Mr. Foley so campaign commercials will be key in defining Malloy to the voter.

By wtfdnucsailor

This is the ninth in a series of blog posting regarding the plans of the Republican and Democratic candidates for governor, Tom Foley and Dan Malloy. All of the information provided in the posting is from the candidate’s web sites, http://www.danmalloy.com/policy and http://www.tomfoley2010.com clicking on the “Issues” and “Tom’s Plan” selections. The opinions are my own and not cleared with either candidate’s staff. In the interest of full disclosure, I am a supporter of Dan Malloy and worked as a volunteer on his 2006 campaign as well as the current 2010 campaign.

I will begin with some general observations about the plans that the candidates have posted on their web sites. If less is more, then Foley wins hands down. His plan turns out to be seven pages in my word document. The Malloy plan is a whopping forty eight pages with great detail. I guess that is fitting since most Republicans believe less government is better, obviously a short plan will lead to less government. From the Democratic perspective, government is good and Malloy shows just how he plans to shape and change much of the state government in great detail.

Of course, there is no guarantee that either of the candidate’s will do what they lay out on their web site when actually in office, but like a stock prospectus, it is an indication of the plan and direction each candidate will pursue once in office.

I am leaving out much of the explanatory text in the plans and just noting the planned action items. Both plans are written in the first person, so I will keep that same format as I quote or paraphrase from each plan. The reader will have to remember that the occasional “I” is either “Governor” Foley or “Governor” Malloy.

This comparison continues with the prospective governors’ take on veterans and affordable housing issues. This presentation is not a contrast but a presentation of the two issues that appear in one plan but not the other. Since I started with “Governor” Malloy in the last post, I will start with “Governor” Foley in this post. I will continue this alternate presenting throughout this series of postings.

“Governor” Tom Foley

“Governor” Foley does not discuss affordable housing in his plan. However he does have two short paragraphs on veterans.

All Americans understand and respect the sacrifices our military personnel make for the country. I served in Iraq as a civilian alongside our brave men and women in uniform. More than ever, we must continue to support our veterans and their families during and after active duty by sustaining the medical and other benefits they have earned for their service.

America is engaged in multiple conflicts around the world. The men and women in our armed services make sacrifices everyday so that those of us at home are safe. Many return with physical injuries and emotionally stressed. We must ensure that all our veterans and their families are well cared for and supported after they return from overseas.

“Governor” Dan Malloy

“Governor” Malloy only mentions veterans once in his plan – under taxes the plan states:

Real tax reform must

Relieve the local property tax burden on low and middle income seniors, veterans, and individuals who are disabled.

However, the Malloy plan has a lengthy discussion on Housing Affordability and Opportunity. Here are the action statements from that plan.

One important ingredient in Connecticut’s renewal is housing affordability. Affordability is key to attracting and retaining young skilled workers, and it’s key to attracting and retaining small innovative companies that can grow to be major employers. In fact, I view it as critical to enhancing Connecticut’s quality of life for all.

Connecticut must do more to address homelessness, particularly by enhancing its commitment to successful “sustainable housing” programs that help those who are at risk of revolving-door homelessness to find stability and to be at home.

Connecticut should do more to support applicants for federal funding and tax credits. It should expand the affordable housing bonus in its Historic Preservation Tax Credit program – a program that creates jobs and preserves our historical assets by encouraging rehabilitation of old buildings.

Connecticut should consider bonuses for affordable housing that are consistent with Transit Oriented Development. It should approach affordable housing expansion in a way that builds community and grows neighborhood connections.

And, it must tackle homelessness by doing more to support sustainable housing programs and addressing the root causes of homelessness linked to mental illness and economic opportunity.

We also cannot look at “housing” as a singular issue. Housing, like education and economic development, is an issue that is interconnected to the most significant issues facing our state.

We should consider affordable housing not only as a tool to make Connecticut more competitive, but also as an important investment in Connecticut’s economic renewal.

Additionally, housing affordability in Connecticut is worsened by our overreliance on a property tax system that is among the costliest in the country.

In addition to the economic reasons we need to do better on affordable housing, there’s another reason: family…. By making housing more affordable in Connecticut, we might just begin to reverse the trend where grandchildren only see their grandparents during the holidays.

For all these reasons – economic competitiveness, job creation, quality of life, and family – affordable housing needs to be at the top of the agenda for our next Governor.

Comment

The two topics considered by this article are the only two that are different in the plans (“Prospectus”) proposed by the two gubernatorial candidates. I suspect they arise from the different experiences of the candidates. Foley spent time with the armed forces during his tour with the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq and Malloy dealt with the housing issue almost daily as the mayor of Connecticut’s fourth largest city. It doesn’t mean that Malloy will ignore veterans if elected governor or that Foley will not have a stand on housing. The ranking of the two issues in the minds of the two candidates is obviously different.