Though in agreement on several issues, state Senate candidates John Hartwell and Toni Boucher sparred over taxes during a debate on Thursday, July 31, on an area cable TV program.
Mr. Hartwell, a Democrat, and Ms. Boucher, a Republican, are running for the 26th District Senate seat. The program, Ideas at Work and Beyond, is hosted by the chair of Ridgefield’s Board of Finance, Marty Heiser. Mr. Heiser posed his own questions to the candidates while also taking phone calls and allowing people on the street to express their concerns as well.
Mr. Hartwell opened the debate by pointing to trends in the state he found troubling, such as median housing prices being far beyond those earning a median income in the state and a sluggish job growth rate. Ms. Boucher agreed that the state faces challenges, but noted that for 30 of the past 34 years the Democratic Party has controlled the legislature.
“Today, it seems like Connecticut residents are working for the government and not the other way around,” said Ms. Boucher, of Wilton, the longtime state representative in the 143rd Assembly District (parts of Wilton and Norwalk). She said if elected, she would work to lower taxes and the cost of living while improving transportation and protecting the environment.
Turning first to an issue that has been significant for the past year, according to Mr. Heiser, he asked the candidates what they would do about the rising price of gasoline. Mr. Hartwell, a longtime Westport businessman, suggested that rather than lower the gas tax, a tax credit be given to residents with cars.
He said the proceeds from the gross receipts sales tax, in which the state collects a certain percentage of a gasoline sale, should be directed entirely to improving the state’s transportation system rather than part of it going to the general fund. And he also advocated looking at the oil companies.
“It’s extraordinary how much money these guys are making,” said Mr. Hartwell.
Ms. Boucher said the gross receipts sales tax should be further modified so that it is capped, meaning at a certain dollar amount of a sale the tax should no longer apply.
“We are the ones that carry that” tax, rather than the oil companies, Ms. Boucher said. She said the Democrats in the state legislature went “kicking and screaming” when an attempt was made to stop an increase in the percentage collected in the tax this past legislative session.
The tax was originally “for leaky underground storage tanks,” she said, adding that the program to get rid of such tanks was gone but the tax continues to increase.
A caller asked whether the candidates would support a cap on real estate property taxes.
“I’m a senior citizen. I’m on a fixed income and I’m hoping to live in my home for a long time,” he said.
Mr. Hartwell said while Gov. Jodi Rell had proposed such caps in the past, he wasn’t in favor of them.
“The only way the towns have to support themselves is through the property taxes,” said Mr. Hartwell. He suggested the entire tax structure required examination instead. To help keep property taxes down, he said programs such as special education should be funded from state taxes.
To give one example of the problems a property tax cap can create, he pointed to California, which he said saw a decline in its educational system because of such a cap.
Ms. Boucher had an alternative approach to keeping the property tax low, suggesting the state take cars out of the property tax equation. She said Connecticut was one of two states that allowed cars to be taxed, and the Democrats had fought to try and keep it that way.
“We actually get a lot more for our buck when we are directing those funds locally,” said Ms. Boucher of Mr. Hartwell’s suggestion on special education funding.
“I really believe we should be able to work together,” said Mr. Hartwell of Ms. Boucher’s comments about his party.
A question came in on what the candidates would do to curb government spending. Mr. Hartwell said a look at state programs would be needed, but also emphasized investment was necessary.
“Opportunities for people to get jobs and to move up are not there,” said Mr. Hartwell of the state.
Ms. Boucher said taxes needed to be cut, such as the estate tax, and that she and the Republicans in the state legislature had been fighting to curb spending.
One person on the street asked the candidates what they would do about illegal aliens.
Ms. Boucher, who herself was born in Italy and came to the United States when she was 5, said her father needed to have a sponsor and a job in order for her family to come over. She said the laws regarding illegal immigrants should continue to be enforced.
Mr. Hartwell said his concern was making sure illegal aliens are properly equipped to drive a car, as those without insurance can be a problem for other drivers. Ms. Boucher and Mr. Hartwell agreed aliens should not be able to get driver’s licenses.
Finally, on a question about transportation, Mr. Hartwell said it was necessary to increase the number and improve the quality of the trains here. He said several options were being considered for the Danbury line to make it better, and that he opposes electrifying it because of the cost but is in favor of expanding service to New Milford. Ms. Boucher agreed that many improvements are needed.
© 2008 Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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