Melissa Longo

Healthcare Our seniors and veterans have been massively underrepresented. We need to come up with solutions that will lower healthcare costs across the board. Environment / Energy Under state law, utility companies are allowed to place easements on property, essentially assuming control over plots of land currently owned by individuals and businesses. Our leaders in Hartford must draft creative and collaborative legislative solutions to effectively change the law. Education We must support our neighborhood schools to build community, address learning loss, and provide a quality education for our children in Fairfield and Trumbull. Hartford’s red tape and mandates do not stop at “redistricting”. Our teachers and administrators are burdened by state mandated curriculum, and our students are less safe in the classroom when municipalities have to wait for Hartford’s approval to strengthen our schools’ safety. Economy The state legislature needs to address our cost of living crisis. To do this, we cannot raise taxes nor enact further surcharges, and instead must budget appropriately in our state capitol. Working families, and seniors on fixed incomes, are struggling to make ends meet under rising inflation, mounting utility bills, and higher cost of goods. Criminal Justice / Public Safety The state legislature should focus on solutions that support criminal rehabilitation and reduce recidivism rates. The public safety apparatus, from firefighters and first responders, to police, here in Fairfield and Trumbull deserve leadership that reflects their amazing services to our communities. Criminal Justice / Public Safety We need to support our law enforcement officials and restore qualified immunity. Our towns are less safe when public safety officials lack sufficient tools and resources to protect our communities. Legislation 8-30g is an antiquated statute that lacks nuance and consideration for municipalities in Connecticut. Instead of prioritizing responsible, community-based development, the current state law permits a process that supersedes town input and regard. While well intended, 8-30g does not address the true housing need and affordability that people depend upon to live in this state. Taxes / Budget Hartford needs to spend responsibly, and offer tax incentives and relief to strengthen our economy and support our tax payers.