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Mr. Joseph Mark C. Taraya

Running for State Representative

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Party: Republican

CEP Status: participating

Website: www.JOSEPH139TH.com

Age: 31

Marital Status: Single

Current Residence: Montville

Current Job: Full-time Student

Previous Job: Medical Records Technician

Previous Job: Active-duty Military (USN)

Education: New York University (NYU); current student

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?
I do believe that proper funding needs to be applied to our schools. Our schools should have the funding for those students and children with special needs.
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.
How would you reduce the state employee pension liabilities and debt service, which together comprise 25% of the state's annual budget?
Need to renegotiate future employees' retirement benefits with the labor unions. Move to a defined contribution system.
Does Connecticut have a revenue problem or a spending problem?
Both. Spending needs to be reformed and we need to keep businesses with their employees in our state to pay their taxes.
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. We should offer paid medical leave, maternity, & paternity leave.
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?
Will support to maintain our current rates. Also, will push for a loan-forgiveness program for those graduates who makes a permanent living here in Connecticut.
What would you do as a state legislator to address the opioid epidemic in our state?
Ensure and vote to provide funding for immediate help and open beds.
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. Retirement is key and giving employees the option to automatically save is good for our hard workers.
Who are you supporting for president and why?
Neither candidate. Will research eligible write-in candidates. Mr. Trump hasn't proven himself to be there for the concerns of everyone, and I speak out of experience with my family doing business with his company. And Sec. Clinton doesn't seem to be completely honest with her career in politics. Not comfortable enough to vote for her for President of the United States.
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