House Minority Leader Larry Cafero, R-Norwalk and Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, R-Fairfield, joined GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley the other day, along with about 80 Republican candidates for the General Assembly, in a demonstration of unity in the rain under the Capitol’s north entrance. They promised to reduce the size of state government, create economic policies to foster more jobs and lower taxes next year as part of a “Common Sense Commitment” to the state. Currently, they are a 114-37 minority in the House and down 24-12 in the Senate.
Here’s part of a statement issued this afternoon:
“This pledge is a snapshot of what Connecticut will look like with a Republican majority in the Legislature,” McKinney said. “It is a promise to the people of Connecticut and a challenge to our Democrat opponents. We have a plan, what is yours? We promise to support the principles and legislation contained in this document in order to create jobs, reduce government spending and balances our budget in a responsible way.”
Brenda Kupchick, candidate for the 132nd General Assembly District, said, “Incumbent Tom Drew and his supermajority have had their chance for 38 of the last 40 years. We need legislators with the common sense and courage to fight for taxpayers and reduce the size of state government. Connecticut is at a crossroads and we must make real changes to the way the state does business. We simply need a more balanced legislature to make the changes that are so desperately needed.”
DeeDee Brandt, candidate for the 133rd General Assembly District, said, “Connecticut’s legislature has been led for too long by lawmakers who ignore all the common sense rules every family and household has had to live by in Connecticut. The result of that this reckless spending, massive borrowing and ever-increasing taxes is that the so-called wealthiest state in the country is virtually broke. We cannot change Hartford unless we change the people we send to Hartford. This is not a Republican message or a Democrat message; this is a message all the citizens of Connecticut use in their everyday life.”
Tony Hwang, who is seeking a second term in the 134th General Assembly District, added, “This pledge is a result of listening to our constituents belief that state government needs to make the difficult choices to control spending, similar to Connecticut households. Common sense government requires that elected leaders respect the people they represent when faced with challenging votes in Hartford.”
More information: www.commonsensecommitment.com.