What can be done to improve the business climate in Connecticut while COVID-19 continues to be a risk?

I believe it’s going to be a difficult time for all and we need to support the small businesses that were were passed over for Covid funding. Without small businesses our municipalities will be hurt for some time to come. Tax breaks, incentives to continue to keep their doors open. We must prioritize long-term policies that concentrate on economic recovery and crisis relief. We must begin by helping individuals retain employment or develop and offer programs that will teach them skills they will need to find new jobs.

With so much uncertainty ahead about COVID-19, how would you ensure that the people's business – both at the legislature and in all of our elections – will be conducted effectively, and with full participation, in the safest possible manner for the foreseeable future?

We must work in a bipartisan manner in order to come to effective legislation that will benefit all entities without the typical party line pandering and push back against each other for top spot. We need to assure our businesses and residents are kept apprised from the start how to cope and move forward. How to brace and prepare for such economic and personal hardships and assure our legislators are fully prepared to jump in with both feet to make the necessary decisions that benefit all.

With higher education facing major changes because of the pandemic, what steps will you take to make sure that Connecticut’s residents have access to college and/or other job training that won’t leave them tens of thousands of dollars in debt?

I’ve always been of the mindset that people must have more than one ability to survive and resources to assure that if one door closes they are able to open the next. We need to open training programs ahead of any pandemic or financial disaster. Not wait til the barn door is closed to scramble to put it all together. We don’t have that luxury after the fact but we do have the ability to move now to assure we don’t fall into another situation as so many have found themselves in now. Much like the struggling actor learns to wait tables and bartend etc to keep them afloat. We always need another skill to fall back on and opening up more affordable trade schools is a step in the right direction.

What specific legislation would you support to reduce racism in Connecticut?

Racism should never be an issue . Unfortunately we still have those who feel it is ok to discriminate. We must develop programs at an early age that teaches children that racism is against human beings and is not acceptable at any level. We must unfortunately educate adults to be tolerant and inclusive of all. Require Hunan Relations and Diversity training in all municipalities.

What is one specific policy you support to help protect African Americans as an at-risk group during the pandemic?

Connecticut’s revenues will sharply decline as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and, unlike Congress, Connecticut has a balanced budget requirement. What changes would you make to balance the budget? (If you want cuts, be specific what will be cut. If you want to raise taxes, be specific about which taxes.)

What should Connecticut do to re-tool our public health for COVID-19 and the possibility of future pandemics, while also addressing other chronic illnesses that put people at risk every day?

How can Connecticut lower healthcare costs while also improving quality and access to care?