Musto and Miron Focus on the Economy

State Sen. Anthony Musto (D-22nd) and James Miron, who is running for the 21st senatorial district, were special guests at the Monroe Democratic Town Committee meeting Tuesday night.

Jump starting Connecticut's economy was a common theme when both men spoke, and Musto has another goal.

"Republicans blame Democrats for the increase in taxes and spending, but we haven't had the executive office in over 20 years," Musto said. "We need a change in leadership. I know it's time for a Democratic governor."

The senator said energy costs must be reduced as a way of attracting businesses to Connecticut, adding Rell vetoed a bill calling for renewable energy and charging the Department of Public Utility Control with reducing energy costs by 15 percent.

"The status quo is just not working," Musto said.

"The environment is critically important to me," Miron said. "There are opportunities for alternative fuel."

Miron, the former mayor of Stratford, said the state should attract biotechnical firms and anything that will create higher paying green industry jobs.

He hailed tax incentives, such as the one for the film industry, for bringing jobs and revenue into Connecticut.

However, Musto said everything should be open to review.

"We have to make sure the tax credits are working," he said. "The film production is costing the state money and not bringing jobs in."

By contrast, Musto said incentives to encourage investments in studios and digital production facilities have been working quite well.

However, he said it is ultimately up to the private sector to create any meaningful increase in jobs.

"The idea that the government will solve the unemployment problem in the state is, I think, a little unrealistic," Musto said. "We have to have businesses believe that government is going to be a partner with them, and provide businesses with a stable, consistent environment."

Facing a budget deficit

A national recession and a 9 percent state unemployment rate make for difficult times for municipalities to scrape together tax revenue. But that's not all of the financial problems government leaders face.

A projected $3.37 billion budget deficit hangs over Connecticut like a black cloud.

Most of the easiest spending cuts have been made, leaving questions over whether to close a prison and two courthouses on the table, according to Musto.

"We've already closed some law libraries that give people access to their basic rights," he said.

However, Musto said the state cannot just blindly cut its way out this economic crisis.

"We're certainly not going to be raising spending," Musto said, adding even that poses problems.

"If insurance and energy goes up and there is not an increase in funding," he said, "it means people are laid off."

For all of the belt tightening being talked about in Hartford, Miron said it is critical to continue to fund education in Connecticut's schools and training for its work force.

Talking politics

Miron will taking on Republican Kevin Kelly, a Stratford lawyer, in the 21st District race.

Miron answered questions about his military service at the Monroe Democratic Town Committee meeting, and told the story of how he enlisted in the Army as an 18-year-old out of high school.

But he thinks another of his life experiences will give him an edge this November.

"As mayor of the town of Stratford, I saw first-hand how policies in Washington and Hartford affects towns," Miron said. "That's something my opponent doesn't have."

Miron said Connecticut's 169 municipalities have to stop fighting each other for businesses and government funding. He spoke of more regionalization, pooling and working together.

"I think it requires a conversation," he said. "We're all in this together."

Musto said the legislature has to extend campaign finance reform.

"Unless you have deep pockets, you're using the public financing system," he said. "It's bad to stop it during an election."

Musto will face a November challenge from either former state senator Elaine Hammers or Monroe businessman David Pia, two Republicans duking it out in the Aug. 10 primary.

"The good news for me is the Republicans are beating each other up," Musto joked. "They're both from Trumbull. I'm enjoying that a little bit."