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Annie Hornish

Running for State Senator

2 CTNewsJunkie Reader Endorsements

Party: Democrat

CEP Status: participating

Website: www.anniehornish.com

Age: 50

Marital Status: Married

Current Residence: Suffield

Current Job: Connecticut State Director for The Humane Society of the United States

Previous Job: Cytotechnologist

Previous Job:

Education: MBA, BS

Do you believe public schools in Connecticut require an essential makeover, as outlined by Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher's decision in September? What, in your opinion, is the number-one issue regarding public education in the state?
Yes. Public schools should receive appropriate funding, and ECS grants should be delivered to municipalities in a more timely way so that town budgets can be more easily administered.
Will you oppose legislation that will require utility customers to subsidize the profitability of merchant generators, such as the Millstone nuclear power plant, unless those merchant generators demonstrate the need to their customers and the state with financial reports that show their actual loss in profits?
Yes, I will oppose. My opponent is a corporate attorney for Eversource, and the hardworking families and businesses of the 7th District have had — at best — no voice in the fight to reduce what are some of the highest utility costs in the nation.
How would you reduce the state employee pension liabilities and debt service, which together comprise 25% of the state's annual budget?
By cutting wasteful spending and growing our economy by creating an environment conducive to high-paying jobs. Increased government transparency is key to streamlining government and identifying waste.
Does Connecticut have a revenue problem or a spending problem?
Both. We need to cut wasteful spending, and need to take a close and ongoing look at tax expenditures (which amount to $5 billion per year) for taxpayer benefit. With an aging population, we need to grow our economy in anticipation of growing demands for senior services.
Would you support laws that provide for family leave or other workplace flexibility for employees who have to take time off for family caregiving purposes? What proposals would you champion to help family caregivers who are balancing a career and family obligations or health emergencies?
Yes. Not only is this the right thing to do (most seniors prefer to stay in their homes), but it helps to reduce healthcare costs— in-home caregiving is about 1/3 the cost of nursing home care, and decreases reliance on social services.
Community College students recently won a reprieve but are facing the possibility of a significant tuition hike. What are you planning to do to ensure that community college remains an affordable option for families?
The Republican budget proposed cutting $14 million from community colleges, and I strongly oppose this proposed cut. The focus should be keeping college costs down for students so that when they graduate, they can better manage their student loan debt. If they cannot manage their debt, they will look to move to states where property values are much lower, because it’s all they can afford. We need to attract and retain college graduates.
What would you do as a state legislator to address the opioid epidemic in our state?
The Connecticut General Assembly has passed some good laws in recent years, particularly re: access to naloxone, but more is needed: public education and prevention, including allowing certified pharmacists to prescribe anti-overdose drugs. Proper funding for mental health/addiction programs is essential. My opponent regularly votes to slash funding for mental health/addiction programs—this is short-sighted and increases potential for serious, terrible consequences.
Today, over 600,000 residents in our state don’t have a way to save for retirement at work. Knowing that employees are 15 times more likely to save merely by having access to payroll deduction, will you commit to supporting the newly passed Connecticut Retirement Security Act that will provide these workers with access to private payroll deduction IRA accounts?
Yes. Lack of retirement savings impact all of us. In addition to the obvious potential strain on senior social services, unemployment rates will rise as seniors without adequate retirement savings must work longer, displacing younger workers. With over 600K employees with no access to such retirement plans, it’s clear that the private sector, for various reasons, cannot handle this duty alone. (Note: My opponent voted against this bill. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2016/VOTE/s/2016SV-00280-R00HB05591-SV.htm.)
Who are you supporting for president and why?
I am supporting Hillary Clinton because she knows how to work with both sides of the aisle and knows how to get things done. We cannot succumb to short-sighted, fear-based thinking. Instead, we need to think long term, about what is best for future generations. We need to leave a better world for them, one that is kinder, sustainable, and clean.
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