Late Rally Kicks Off Morin Campaign
WETHERSFIELD - State House incumbent Russ Morin held a late launch rally at Millwoods Park Sunday, sounding off on target industries for job growth, as well as what he feels is an air of uncertainty brought about by the recent CCJEF v. RELL ruling.

       Morin-finishing up his 10th year representing the 28th District-is being challenged by current Republican Town Councilor Mike Hurley, who also ran against him two years ago.

       Morin admitted that he’s not sure what to make of the CCJEF v. RELL ruling, which ordered the State of Connecticut to come up with a â€"rational” fix to education funding inequities cited by case plaintiffs-a coalition of educators and families from underprivileged school districts.

       With Wethersfield and its neighboring towns falling between more affluent Darien and Greenwich, and struggling New Haven, Bridgeport and Hartford, the impact the ruling will have locally is still a big question mark, Morin said during an interview given before the start of the event.

       While the case highlights an issue that needs to be addressed, it all comes down to the how factor, Morin said.

       â€"We have always been good about fighting for our fair share [of education state aid],” he said. â€"We don’t want to be punished for providing for our residents.”

       The timeline-six months to bring tentative solutions forward for review-is unrealistic, Morin said.

       â€"We all want equality-I’m glad he did what he did,” Morin said. â€"But expecting us to have a decision in six months is not how the legislature works, especially with the new legislature not coming to Hartford until January-we’re already behind.”

       Morin said that he doesn’t think the case ruling will be final either, with Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announcing a bid to appeal a couple of weeks ago.

       For now, Morin said that he will continue to focus on securing ECS funds and other state aid. A couple of years ago he helped to obtain a space waiver that closed a $10 million PCB-related cost overrun on the Wethersfield High School project-expected to be completed in late October.

       Morin has taken a wait-and-listen approach on the issue of regional cost sharing-a discussion prompted by the state’s fiscal climate and the anticipated impact on municipalities. On Sunday his position was similar, but he said that finding ways to save needs to be a balancing act between cutting costs and preserving local autonomy.

       â€"This is Wethersfield, and that’s Hartford,” Morin said. â€"But we should always be looking for ways to do things more efficiently.”

       Towns can look for small ways such as road paving projects and equipment purchases-items being discussed by a coalition of mayors that includes Wethersfield’s Paul Montinieri, Cromwell’s Enzo Faienza, Rocky Hill’s Claudia Baio, Newington’s Roy Zartarian, and Hartford’s Luke Bronin-Morin said.

       While town residents should â€"not expect anything drastic”, the city of Hartford’s own financial woes could impact Wethersfield if large companies-that employ town residents-end up leaving, he said.

       Morin is also calling on an investment in projected growth industries-such as aerospace and advanced manufacturing-through educational initiatives such as the state’s opening of regional training centers for advanced manufacturing.

       Pratt and Whitney projects bringing 8,000 jobs to Connecticut over the next 10 years.

       â€"Those jobs are going to create a positive business impact in the state,” Morin said. â€"That will be felt by the smaller businesses that create products for these corporations.”

      
STORY BY MARK DIPAOLA   |  Sep 29 2016  |  COMMENTS?