LTE: Rep. Keitt Thinks Taxing Her Constituents Is a Joke — It’s Not

The following Letter to the Editor is by former state Rep. Laura Devlin:

To the Editor:

On April 15 — Tax Day — Rep. Anne Hughes (D–Easton) made headlines for a hot mic moment during a press conference held by the Democrats' Tax Equity Caucus, a group advocating for higher taxes to support more government spending. In a moment that sparked immediate outrage, Hughes joked, “I always tell the governor to tax my people — they won’t even notice.”

But while Hughes got the attention, she wasn’t alone.

Standing beside her, laughing and high-fiving, was Rep. Sarah Keitt (D–Fairfield and Trumbull), who represents the 134th District. While Hughes cracked the joke, Keitt joined in on the punchline. Now, it’s her turn to be in the spotlight.

Rep. Keitt seems to think taxing her constituents is something to laugh about. It’s not.

The real joke? Thinking people won’t notice. Families in Fairfield and Trumbull are already stretched thin — burdened by high property taxes, soaring energy costs, and some of the highest overall tax rates in the country.

As someone who proudly served this district for eight years, I can tell you: representing these communities is a profound honor. It’s not a stage for flippant jokes or casual high-fives when someone suggests wringing even more from taxpayers. It’s a responsibility — one that demands respect, accountability, and empathy for the people who put you in office.

What Rep. Keitt displayed wasn’t just poor judgment — it was arrogance. Laughing at the idea of taxing your constituents more, while they’re already struggling, shows a dismissive attitude toward the very people you were elected to serve.

Her constituents aren’t oblivious — they’re exhausted. They’re tired of carrying the weight of Hartford’s spending, only to see their contributions dismissed or mocked behind a microphone.

If your instinct, in the face of economic strain, is to squeeze harder — and then laugh about it — you’ve lost sight of what it means to be a public servant.

Voters deserve better than smug sound bites and casual contempt. They deserve leaders who treat their money — and their trust — with the seriousness it demands. Because this kind of attitude doesn’t just erode trust — it alienates the very people you were elected to represent.

So no, Rep. Keitt, it’s not funny.

We’ve noticed.

Laura Devlin
Former State Representative, 134th District
Fairfield and Trumbull