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Julio Concepcion

Running for State Representative

3 CTNewsJunkie Reader Endorsements

Party: Democrat

CEP Status: participating

Website:

Age: 36

Marital Status: Married

Current Residence: Hartford

Current Job: V.P. of Hartford Partnerships at the MetroHartford Alliance

Previous Job:

Previous Job:

Education: BA from the University of Connecticut C/O 2004

Would you vote for a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana? Why or why not?
Yes, I would support the legalization, regulation and taxation of recreational marijuana. Legalization would create jobs, increase revenue and the regulation would help keep individuals safe as they would be able purchase the marijuana from a licensed shop.
How should the state balance the needs of vulnerable populations with the reality of another large budget deficit?
All options need to be at the table to increase revenue, while a true discussion on prioritization of spending needs to occur. This a population we must take care of but it takes all of us to come together to ensure it happens.
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?
The ALICE report is an eye opening document that gives a true representation of what many of our residents face on a daily basis. There are several ways the State can partner with community organizations in order to combat some of these issues including investing in job training, securing higher paying jobs throughout the state, increasing the minimum wage and connecting residents to service providers
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?
In order for this state to get back to prosperity we must have a serious discussion on regionalism. There are absolute savings to be had if municipalities are able to come together and share services. Dispatch Centers, road maintenance, etc. should be considered. That being said, ECS funding is critical for many municipalities to provide equitable education to their children. I'd be very careful in discussing any reduction in ECS funding to any municipality, especially in our urban center which need it the most.
Where and how should state government focus its efforts in order to grow jobs?
It's time for the state to properly support job growth in our urban centers. Many states throughout the country have invested in their large cities knowing that that the workforce of the future resides in our urban areas. Sectors like Healthcare, education and insurtech need to be properly supported and marketed throughout the state.
Would you support legislation to "ban the box," prohibiting employers from asking the question about criminal convictions on a job application?
Yes!
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?
Again, all options need to be on the table when discussing increasing revenues. I would support tolls on our highways, particularly for tractor trailers, and if that revenue was truly earmarked for improving our transportation infrastructure. If that was in place, I'd support the reduction of the gas tax.
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?
Residents have to be at the table from the very beginning when these discussions are taking place. The state has to work with the individual municipalities to ensure that the interests of our residents are protected.
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?
Affordable housing options need to be available in every municipality throughout the state. We need to work with our Housing Department to discuss how to get this done and incentives can't be the only carrot we use.
How should the state address disparities in the Education Cost Sharing formula? What specific modifications would you suggest, if any?
The ECS formula has to be revisited. The instability is creating havoc for our municipalities and their budgets, while overlooking some of the major barriers that our neediest municipalities face.
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?
Both, with a focus on improving access to treatment. Most individuals that have become addicted to painkillers want to end their dependence to the drug, but don't have the support to do so. We need to give them the ability to access treatment and all the support that they need.
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?
I will continue to support the 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?
Yes!
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