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Gary Winfield

Running for State Senator

9 CTNewsJunkie Reader Endorsements

Party: Democrat

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Age: 44

Marital Status: Married

Current Residence: New Haven

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Education: BS - Political Science

Would you vote for a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana? Why or why not?
Yes. It is smart public policy.
How should the state balance the needs of vulnerable populations with the reality of another large budget deficit?
A recent report found 40 percent of Connecticut residents can't afford basic needs such as housing, food, health care, or child care. What would you do to improve their situation?
Raise the minimum wage. Ensure that our system of higher education that is the source of opportunity in this state for those who would likely not have it, the CSUS, is funded. CFocus on filling manufacturing jobs that are not currently filled but pay well
Will you support top-down efforts to regionalize local services with an eye toward more efficiency and reducing the state's obligations regarding ECS and/or other funding for towns? How would you go about it?
Where and how should state government focus its efforts in order to grow jobs?
Would you support legislation to "ban the box," prohibiting employers from asking the question about criminal convictions on a job application?
Always have and would continue to do so.
Based on estimates that out-of-state drivers would contribute 30-40% of overall revenue if highway tolls are implemented in Connecticut, would you support tolls with or without offsetting cuts in the state's gas taxes?
I am supportive of tolls
Eversource and some out-of-state entities appear to be attempting to buy control of Connecticut's water resources, and some of our quasi-public water agencies have signed away large amounts of water to commercial interests with little regard to future water shortages. What can you do to ensure that Connecticut residents maintain control of public water supplies in perpetuity?
Much of Connecticut is economically and racially segregated because many towns lack affordable housing and local zoning regulations prohibit multi-family dwellings. How would you propose incentivizing municipalities to start allowing multi-family units and other affordable housing options?
I think we should be looking at the work of organizations like the Open Communities Alliance dealing with choice and opportunity maps. Part of this issue is not about incentive part of this issue is that the housing we are discussing is simply not desired. Also, the changes to the 8-30g statute were supposed to act as incentive. We should let that play out.
How should the state address disparities in the Education Cost Sharing formula? What specific modifications would you suggest, if any?
Should the government's response to the opioid crisis be to focus on law enforcement to stop drug dealers, or improving access to treatment for addiction and reducing the overprescription of painkillers?
We have attempted in the past to solve a drug crisis through harsh penalties. We know better. These are public health issues and should be treated as such
In 2016 the Connecticut Retirement Security Program was created. It will give over 600,000 residents in our state 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, how will you continue the implementation of this important program?
The 459,000 family caregivers in Connecticut provide an estimated 427 million hours of care each year. Nationwide, nearly seven in ten caregivers report making work accommodations because of caregiving, including arriving late/leaving early, cutting back their hours, changing jobs, or stopping work entirely. Would you support a family leave law that provides paid leave to employees who have to take time off for family caregiving purposes?
I have been and will be a sponsor ofthis legislation
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