CTNewsJunkie Voter Guide Profile for Tom O'Dea

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Tom O'Dea

Running for State Representative

1 CTNewsJunkie Reader Endorsements

Party: Republican

CEP Status: nonparticipating

Website:

Age: 50

Marital Status: Married

Current Residence: New canaan

Current Job: Attorney, Diserio Martin

Previous Job: Attorney, Halloran & Sage

Previous Job:

Education: Providence College

2017

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?

Some Districts. Not in Wilton or New Canaan. Number one issue is the disintegration for the family structure and school choice.

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?

Generally yes.

How would you reduce the state employee pension liabilities and debt service, which together comprise 25% of the state's annual budget?

Unfortunately our hands are tied until 2020 but hiring freeze and no over-time until unions agree to a defined contribution type plan rather than defined benefit plan.

Does Connecticut have a revenue problem or a spending problem?

Both! Need to immediately reduce spending by 15-20% so we can reduce taxes across the board to make us competitive with surrounding states.

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?

Not at this time. We need to be much more business friendly. We need job growthunt and making it harder on businesses at this time is the wrong way to go.

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?

We need to cut spending and lower taxes to generate job growth to increase revenues. Until that happens tuition increases may be needed in the short term.

What would you do as a state legislator to address the opioid epidemic in our state?

Legalizing Marijuana is not the way to go. We need to educate our youth on the dangers of all drugs and alcohol, from pills to Marijuana and heroine. Along with former State Rep Gerry Fox, Ingrid Gillespie and Jeff Holland, I was involved in adding narcan to the list of drugs first responders could use without liability to administer to those in immediate need due to heroine overdose. That legislation has saved hundreds of lives in Connecticut.

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?

I was opposed to a mandatory state run retirement program, but I do support voluntary programs. I am opposed to anything that makes it harder for small or big business to succeed in CT.

Who are you supporting for president and why?

I am ashamed at our choices for President. I am voting for the egomaniac pro job growth candidate Donald Trump over the crook. But I am not proud of it.