Politics & Government
Guilford's Sean Scanlon To Run For a Third Term as State Rep.
Scanlon Says He's Proud that He Was Able to Help Save Guilford, Branford From Severe Spending Cuts
GUILFORD, CT - State Representative Sean Scanlon (D-Guilford) announced he will seek a third term in the Connecticut General Assembly.
"It has been the honor of my life to wake up every day and serve the people of Guilford and Branford for the last three years. Whether it's helping people who call my office in need of assistance or working on legislation to improve our state and community, I am proud of what I've been able to do for this district and I am excited about what I know we can accomplish together in the future," said Scanlon.
Scanlon said that in both 2016 and 2017, initial state budget proposals had Guilford and Branford losing millions of dollars in education and town aid. Alongside others in the delegation, Scanlon said he worked to successfully reverse multi-million dollar cuts to our schools. In 2017, instead of a $3 million cut to Branford and Guilford each, the final version of the state budget cut both towns by less than $200,000 each.
"I heard loud and clear from my constituents that a $3 million cut to our towns and schools would be totally unacceptable and I'm proud to have worked tirelessly to block those massive cuts in both 2016 and 2017 and protect our communities," said Scanlon. "While other towns in our area received big cuts, I am proud to have fought hard for the people of this district to ensure we didn't when the bi-partisan budget passed in October."
In addition to reversing large cuts, Scanlon said he successfully delivered new funding for our community in 2017 including $30 million for the new Walsh Middle School in Branford, $713,000 for new windows at Baldwin Middle School in Guilford and $650,000 for dredging the town dock area, making improvements to the boat launch and repairing the seawall and town beach in the Stony Creek section of Branford. In Scanlon's first term, he secured $450,000 in state funding to reconstruct the parking lot behind the shops along the Guilford Green, a project that was completed in August 2016.
"Even in difficult budget times, I'm glad to have been successful in bringing new funding back to the community for the last three years," said Scanlon.
Standing Up for Consumers
As chairman of the General Assembly's Insurance and Real Estate Committee, Scanlon said he worked across party lines last year on a host of consumer protection issues including passing a major new law he sponsored to create common sense regulations for popular ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft. As of January 1st, all Uber and Lyft drivers are required to undergo strong background checks, drive safer vehicles and carry comprehensive insurance.
"With this law, we were able to add important consumer protections that keep people safe while working with the companies to ensure we weren't stifling a growing business that provides an important service and creates jobs," said Scanlon. "That, to me, is how government should always operate."
In addition to the Uber bill, Scanlon championed several other bills last session including a bipartisan bill (SB 586 ) that would ensure Connecticut women would still have access to quality and affordable healthcare even if the Affordable Care Act was repealed and a new law to continue the fight against the opioid epidemic. The 2017 opioid bill built on the work done by Scanlon to help write and pass bills on the topic in 2015 and 2016.
"Since taking office I've made combating the opioid epidemic one of my biggest priorities and I'm proud of the three bills I've helped write and pass in Hartford and the work I've done locally with others on projects like our annual Drug Take Back Day to try and raise awareness about this horrible epidemic," said Scanlon.
Growing Our Economy and Improving Our Business Climate
Facing a large budget deficit in 2017, Scanlon said he consistently called for both parties to work together and come up with a bi-partisan budget - something they did in October 2017.
"The only way we are going to get out of this perpetual cycle of budget deficits is if we work work together to grow Connecticut's economy," said Scanlon. "This won't happen overnight but it requires Hartford to be more attentive to the needs of businesses large and small. On many occasions I've visited a business in my district and when I ask how I can help they mention one or two little things that I am then able to work on for them. If we as Democrats and Republicans continue working together like we did with this last budget, helping on the "little things" will quickly turn into a better climate for growth and job creation and that's something I'll continue to make my biggest priority."
Listening and Acting
Since taking office, Scanlon said he has made listening and interacting with constituents his most important mission. By holding regular "Coffee and Conversation" office hours and large community events such as his opioid community forums in 2016 and his interactive Citizens Budget Workshop in 2017, Scanlon says he tries to be proactive when it comes to hearing from his constituents.
"People are busy with work and family and it's rare that people will come all the way to my office in Hartford so I try to bring state government to them as often as possible through constant office hours and forums," said Scanlon. "My personal cell phone number has been on my business card since day one and I hope by now people in the community know I am here for them and their families if and when they need help or have ideas."
Based on feedback at his "Coffee and Conversation" office hours or suggestions from constituent calls and emails, Scanlon takes action and sponsors bills. Since taking office, Scanlon has sponsored a bill suggested by a Guilford Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient to waive the DMV charge for a Purple Heart license plate, a bill suggested by a Branford mom and her son to improve food allergy awareness at restaurants, a bill to eliminate a tax on propane heat for generators and a bill honoring K9 veterans to name a few.
"I have always viewed this job as listening first and acting second and I'm proud of what I've been able to do working with and on behalf of the amazing people of Guilford and Branford," said Scanlon. "It's an honor to serve, it would be an honor to continue and I hope the voters of this district will allow me to represent them for another two years."
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