Candidate Profile: Mike Paine, 16th House District

SIMSBURY, CT — The 2022 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Eyes are primarily focused on the gubernatorial election, but every state representative and senate seat is up for grabs. All five of Connecticut's congressional seats are up for grabs as well.

There are 151 seats in the state House of Representatives and 36 in the state Senate.

Democrats currently hold majorities in both chambers over Republicans in the House, 97-54, and in the Senate, 24-12.

Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Republican hopeful Mike Paine is running for a term in the House of Representatives, 16th House District. He is running against Democratic candidate Melissa Osborne.

The seat is being vacated by state Rep. John K. Hampton, D-Simsbury, who is not seeking re-election.

The House seat serves all of Simsbury.

Age: 68

Party affiliation: Republican

Occupation: Small business owner of Paines Inc.

Education: Simsbury High School, Received certifications from the University of Connecticut's School of Business specializing in family business.

Previous elected/appointed experience: I served on the Simsbury Board of Selectmen from 2013 to 2021 and as the chairman of the Simsbury Planning Commission from 2009 to 2013.

Family: My wife and I raised our daughter and son in Simsbury.

Campaign website: https://mikepaineforsimsbury.c...

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No.

Why are you seeking this office?
I am seeking office to provide the state with the common sense approach I take when running my business or serving as a selectman.

We currently have a balance in Connecticut's House of Representatives that allows the majority party to pass legislation without a single vote from the minority party.

I want to help balance out the House and get to work on creating effective bipartisan legislation.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Affordability and inflation are two issues I have heard a lot about and I intend to address them by pursuing a package of tax relief proposals to ease the burden on Connecticut’s residents.

This package would cut the income tax from 5 percent to 4 percent for families making less than $175,000 a year and index state income tax brackets so that taxes paid on earnings do not outpace inflation.

It would also increase the property tax credit that can be claimed for real estate and motor vehicles from $300 to $500 to all families filing state income taxes.

Lastly, decreasing the sales tax and eliminating the meals tax as well as any other taxes or fees that cost more to collect than the revenue they generate would help families and businesses across the state by reducing the cost of their everyday necessities.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I am deeply invested both personally and business wise with the town of Simsbury and have watched it evolve throughout my life.

I sincerely care about our great town and its success.

If elected, I will do all I can to represent the best interests of Simsbury and its residents.

Following my service as a selectman I stayed connected with the people and businesses in town to remain up to date on the issues they are facing and, if possible, do anything I could to provide assistance.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Local control and public safety are also major concerns of the Simsbury residents I have spoken to.

I would pursue legislation to put the rights of victims ahead of the rights of criminals and provide law enforcement with the tools necessary to perform their duties.

I would also work with my colleagues to ensure the legislature provides adequate funding and resources for the Office of Victim Advocate.

When it comes to local control, we need legislation that solidifies the ability of municipalities to govern themselves without undue state interference.

I would work to remove the existing state-imposed barriers to voluntary regional shared services and require a two thirds vote of the legislature to pass any new conveyance taxes.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In addition to my service as a selectman and chair of the planning commission, I have volunteered my time as a current trustee and chair for McLean Game Refuge and Campus for Senior Living, former president of the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce, and former president of Simsbury Community Television.

In my time as a selectman I worked with my fellow board members, nonprofits and residents to secure funding that would allow the town to purchase the Meadowood property while significantly reducing the cost faced by Simsbury and its residents.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

You have two ears and one mouth. Use your ears more than your mouth.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am always open to differing opinions and willing to have balanced conversations, regardless of how difficult they may be, to find an amicable solution.