2024 Patch Candidate Profiles: Tammy Nuccio, State Rep

TOLLAND, CT — Tammy Nuccio is running for the 53rd District seat in the Connecticut House of Representatives.

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Candidate’s Name: Tammy Nuccio

What office are you seeking? State of Representative

District: 53rd House District

Campaign website

What city or town do you live in? Tolland

Party affiliation: Republican

Education: I currently have an Associates degree in Accounting, a Bachelors in Business Management and my Masters in Business Administration.

Occupation: I am a Financial Analyst with 35 years of experience.

Family: I am married to my high school sweetheart, Mark. We've been together for 37 years. We have three amazing daughters, Alexandria, Sarah and Cassidy..

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? One of my daughters is in a government role.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

I was an elected member of the Tolland Town Council for 6 years. I was a board member on the Highland Health District for 6 years. I currently serve on the Manchester Community College foundation. I have been the State Representative for the 53rd District for 4 years.

Age: 53

Why are you seeking this office?

There are so many reasons. First, I love this State - I'd love it even more if it was more affordable. I am working to make it a State where our seniors can grow and retire here without worry of losing their family homes. I'm working to make it a State where our next generations choose to stay here because they have roots and see a future for themselves and their future families. Which is why I worked to pass tax reform for Senior citizens (still so much more to do here) and also programs that will help the next generations with student loans and first time home buyer programs. Second, I care deeply about my constituents. From electricity costs to mental health services, accessibility to affordable healthcare and maternity services, public safety and the ability to age in place, equitable funding for our primary education and transparency in government. There are so many topics that matter to my constituents and I will gladly carry their voices to Hartford and work to find solutions for them. I am always available to help with an issue, regardless of who you are, what party you are, how you vote - or don't vote. I have an open door policy and will always listen to your issues and do my best to help with solutions.

What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?

Affordability. Affordability is the pillar of society. If you can't afford to live here it doesn't matter what programs are available to you, you're priced out of receiving them. The plan to fix it is rather large, we have to have an environment where business, especially small business, can thrive. When businesses thrive, employees thrive. We need to have a balanced Government that is not wasteful and is accountable for their spending. When budgets are balanced and agencies are accountable for their spend with unbiased data we make better choices on where tax dollars are expended. We need to have access to training to ensure the jobs we have or are developing here in Connecticut have a strong workforce to help us into the next decade. When our programing recognizes the demand more people have gainful employment and help fuel the economy. Basically, budgeting, letting the residents of Connecticut keep more of their hard earned dollars, assisting with programing to help displaced workers and the next generation be productive members of society. That's how you fix affordability.

There have been an alarming number of deaths on Connecticut's roadways. Is there anything from a legislative standpoint that can be done to address that?

Well, the first thing I'd say is we need more law enforcement officers. Law enforcement is not a sought out job like it used to be. Often, legislation is passed that ties the hands of law enforcement and makes it near impossible to do the job of keeping our residents safe. For instance, many of the juvenile justice policies that currently make it near impossible to hold minors accountable for breaking laws. Or the fact that repeat offenders are continuously allowed to bond out and continue to offend. This is all very discouraging to law enforcement. There is also the attempt by some in the Capitol to vilify the police and persecute them for doing the very job we ask them to do. These are things the public sees and is most definitely a deterrent to potential candidates. It is a dangerous and thankless job, but knowing your legislators only seek to make it harder does not encourage candidates to rush the gates. We need more officers on the roads, patrolling and working the high ways. We simply don't have enough. We also need stricter laws that hold people accountable for drunk driving and driving while impaired. When the worst you have to worry about is posting bond and being immediately released there is no deterrent from continuing to commit the same offenses. We have passed legislation regarding wrong way flashing signs and lights on highways but they don't seem to have helped with the wrong way driving as of yet. I'm hoping with more going up we will see a decline in that offense. Ultimately, people know the police are very rarely allowed to pursue them in a car. All they have to do is speed up and the police will be called off, that in and of itself is dangerous for the public. The way to curb the deaths is to have laws that put public safety first and have the people who can enforce them and the judicial system who will hold people accountable.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Well, first and foremost, you won't see me wasting time on attack ads or spreading lies about my opponent. I am honest, I have integrity and I will tell you why I am asking for your support on November 5th. I have the experience and the proven record of working for my District. I have said what I'd do and done what I've said. I will also talk with anyone regarding any vote's I've taken and why I've voted the way I have. I am openly available to everyone in the District and will do all I can to help anyone, regardless of who they are, what party they are and who they vote for. I have a proven record of doing just that. I work in a bi-partisan fashion and look for compromise where it is to be had. I will always put the 53rd District first and I will always work to be your voice.

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

As your State Representative, I have secured $27M for the 53rd district through state bonding, education grants, and program funding. I have secured bonding to support fire station rebuilds, Tolland mutual aid upgrades, road improvements, law enforcement body cams, and repairs and upgrades for the Vernon housing authority, sewers, dams, and Fox Hill Tower. I increased Vernon’s education funding by nearly $3M and protected Tolland and Willington from $1.5M in state cuts. I passed legislation saving Tolland $6.5M in taxes after the Birch Grove School construction audit. Focused on the needs of all residents, I helped secure $700K in grants for school-based mental health services and launched the CRISIS program at Troop C for social worker services. As ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, I have worked for not only the 53rd District but for the state, helping to craft a bipartisan budget that ensured the first income tax cut since 1991. I played an integral role in passing substantial income tax relief for seniors and property tax relief for disabled veterans. Focused on residents' security, I was able to bring the CRISIS program to Troop C and I co-sponsored legislation imposing tougher penalties for street takeovers and helped restore the tools law enforcement needs to do their job effectively. I have been selected to be on several of the Governor's advisory boards including the Domestic Violence Council, the Workforce Advisory Board, and the Children's Mental Health Policy board. My record stands for itself as does the work I am doing in the Capitol to make the lives of not only the 53rd District better, but the 3.6m residents of the State of Connecticut.

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

Contrary to what you will see in the October attack ad blitz, I am not an extremist about anything. I am a rational, reasonable, New England Republican. I have been endorsed by the Independent party in every State race I've run because I will always do what's right for my residents - regardless of party affiliation. My constituents have my allegiance over everything else. My political mottos is "Help the most amount of people while harming the least and then figure out how to help the people who were harmed." I mostly want you to know that I truly care about your wellbeing. I will fight with every ounce of energy I have to ensure you have the best life possible and I will legislate to ensure you have the ability to have a healthy, safe, affordable state to do so in.