Candidate Profile: Patrizia Zucaro For 143rd Assembly District

WILTON, CT — Republican Patrizia Zucaro, a Westport resident, is running for House of Representatives District 143. There is no incumbent in the race. After serving for five terms, Republican Gail Lavielle opted not to seek reelection.

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The state is constantly interfering in local affairs by trying to impose a one-size-fits-all scenario. Here in Fairfield County, we are very independent and informed decision-makers, and we do not want unknown people in Hartford making decisions about our children, neighborhoods, and environmental impacts. I plan to support the communities of the 143rd district: Norwalk, Westport, and Wilton. I will ensure that their voices are heard in Hartford and that their interests are not silenced by state priorities.

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

I am a lifelong resident of Westport and I know our district very well.

As an experienced attorney, I know Connecticut statutes, and I have the legal background to understand the details of legislative proposals and their implications for constituents.

The single most critical thing that differentiates me from the other candidate seeking the position is that I am focused on Norwalk, Westport, and Wilton, and I am not motivated by national platforms or ideologies. I care about our communities and how state influences will impact our daily lives. We send elected officials to Hartford for a single important reason, which is to represent their constituents. I am committed to fighting every day for the issues that matter to Norwalk, Westport, and Wilton.

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

After graduating from UConn, I worked for nearly 10 years in real estate. I then pursued my law degree while working full-time and commuting every day. In my work as an attorney, I have defended clients in many complex situations, and this has prepared me well to defend and advocate for the interests of constituents.

I represent primarily small businesses and individuals, and have served as the general counsel, a position of substantial responsibility, for two small companies. I understand the administrative hurdles that small businesses face in CT every day.

My experience has given me an in-depth understanding of the state’s legal system, the responsibilities of the legislature, Connecticut’s statutes and the lawmaking process. As an attorney, I have to be an excellent listener and an even stronger advocate. This equips me well to represent constituents in the state House.

Do you believe Connecticut needs reform when it comes to electric utility oversight? What steps, if any should be taken?

It is clear from what happened during and after Storm Isaias that there has been a breakdown in the oversight of our utilities, and that the legislation passed several years ago in the wake of Superstorm Sandy is insufficient to ensure that our utilities perform for customers. While there is a lot more to learn about where the failure in the process occurred, I can already list areas that need significant reform, including accountability for our electric and internet/cable companies; emergency service for individuals with medical conditions or disabilities; customer communication; regular communication with town officials; and the condition of our infrastructure. All of these reforms must of course be considered in the context of their impact of costs for ratepayers.

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?

Businesses should be allowed and encouraged to reopen fully as soon as public health constraints allow. Much of Connecticut’s onerous red tape should be cut, allowing businesses more flexibility. A thorough review of the governor’s executive orders that have had a positive impact on business should be conducted to see which could usefully become permanent. Connecticut must take advantage of the current trend of flight from large cities to attract more businesses to the state with attractive conditions. It must also stabilize its tax policies so that businesses here can make long-term plans.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Local control of local decisions: I support leaving local zoning, environmental, and education decisions to local elected officials who are accountable to local residents. State-level one-size-fits-all initiatives deprive our towns’ residents of any say or defense against the whims of external bureaucrats who lack our love and appreciation of our communities.

Fiscal responsibility: We must restore Connecticut’s fiscal health, which is plagued by persistent deficits, runaway spending, and massive debt. This means reducing structural spending by renegotiating state union contracts, reducing unfunded liabilities, streamlining government, optimizing technology, and halting nonessential borrowing. Spending must be smarter, focused on education, infrastructure, and essential social services. And we must reduce tax pressure on both individuals and businesses.

Quality education for everyone: Connecticut still has one of the largest achievement gaps in the country, and distance learning requirements during the pandemic have exacerbated the situation. First, we will need to ensure that all children catch up on the learning time they have lost, and then we must concentrate seriously on improving struggling schools in our cities. This includes providing equitable funding to districts like Norwalk, bringing English language-learners up to speed in English, more effectively delivering special education, and ensuring that all boats rise so that anyone anywhere in Connecticut can get an excellent education.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I want voters to know that this campaign is about Wilton, Norwalk, and Westport and what is right for the people who live here. I will listen to and focus on the needs of my constituents. I will advocate for policies that will balance public health with economic and social imperatives in order to preserve their safety and future here in Connecticut.

More information is available on the campaign website.