|
|
|
|
 |
  
|
|
|
Candidates for governor debate tolls
Posted on 02/26/2010
By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN Associated Press Writer STAMFORD (AP) -- Candidates for governor disagreed Friday over whether Connecticut should implement tolls, but say the state has to make fundamental changes to address large budget deficits and job losses. Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi, a Democrat, said repeatedly at the debate at the Holiday Inn in Stamford that the state should consider modern electronic tolls that he says could generate as much as $1 billion. "All the states around us are collecting money. We're giving people a free ride," Marconi said. Others such as Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, a Republican, objected, saying state government should be repaired rather than hit taxpayers with another fee. R. Nelson "Oz" Griebel, a Republican who is president of a Hartford economic development organization, said Connecticut should consider having one college system instead of two and moving state employees from traditional pensions to a 401k-type plan. He said the governor should be the state's chief marketing officer and "hungry" to create jobs. Nine candidates took part in the forum on battling high unemployment and the recession. The debate, which did not spark any heated exchanges, was hosted by the Business Council of Fairfield County. Greenwich businessman Tom Foley, a Republican, also objected to tolls. He said the state needs to cut spending by outsourcing some government services and other measures. "We are one of the most business-unfriendly states in the nation," Foley said, adding that jobs were being driven out of the state. Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont, a Democrat, said the governor should focus on the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, be more aggressive in winning federal aid, and look at new models for how the state does business. "We have to fundamentally change the way we do business in this state," Lamont said. Former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy, a Democrat, said that as mayor his city created thousands of jobs at a time when the state had stagnant job growth. He said the governor should work with surrounding states to make sure industries such as biotechnology produces top jobs in the coming years. Gov. M. Jodi Rell is not seeking re-election.
COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in Wilton Villager community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines. Basically, be civil, smart, on-topic and free from profanity. Don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read! And remember: We may miss some, so we need your help to police these comments. Please identify the comment, the story and why you think it's objectionable.
Read the commenting guidelines |
|
|
