Sen. Rob Kane, a Republican who represents the 32nd District that includes Bridgewater, Middlebury, Oxford, Seymour and Southbury, was on Fox News’ Fox and Friends early Tuesday morning to talk about the ghoulish proposal by a fellow state lawmaker to move Halloween to Saturday, permanently.
Kane, who said he’s a fan of Snickers, isn’t necessarily against the move, but said it’s not the right time to bring up the topic.
State Rep. Tim Larson (D-East Hartford) proposed making the holiday the last Saturday of October each year in Connecticut, citing the fact Thanksgiving is celebrated on the third Thursday of November every year as an example.
This year, Halloween falls on a Monday and Larson said parents he’s talked to say weeknight trick or treating is difficult because kids have to get up for school the next day.
“Halloween is fun night for the whole family, but not so much when you have to race home from work, get the kids ready for trick or treating, welcome the neighborhood children, and then try to get everyone to bed for an early school and work morning,” Larson said. “Halloween has also become one of the top holidays for retailers selling candy, decorations, costumes and general party supplies. Jobs are created by this holiday, so let’s make it a little more fun and safe for everyone, and create some jobs too.”
The proposal comes as state legislators return to Hartford to tackle the issue of creating jobs. On Fox News, Kane said Larson and those supporting the proposal need to realize what is really important.
“It’s not about the idea, it’s about government overreach,” Kane said. “In Connecticut we have 9 percent unemployment, the highest tax burden in the country, the highest energy costs in the country and we’re talking about moving Halloween?”
Kane said “we should be talking about getting people back to work, getting the economy going, creating jobs, or at least an atmosphere to create jobs, not discussing what day we are handing out trick or treat candy.”
Larson said he doesn’t expect the proposal to come up during the special session, but hopes it will be considered in 2012.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Tuesday, after laughing, that he thinks a decision on Halloween should be made by the U.S. Congress, not on a state-by-state basis.