ROCKY HILL - Candidate: Lisa Marotta

       Running for: 9th State Senate District

       District towns: Middletown/Rocky Hill/Cromwell/Wethersfield/Newington

       Lives in: Rocky Hill

       Party: Republican

       Status: Challenger

      

       1. For those unfamiliar with your journey, what first inspired you to get involved in politics? How has your experience as a local official guided your legislative vision?

      

      

       Lisa: As a mom of 3, I have always been actively involved in the Rocky Hill community from school PTO’s to serving as President of the Rocky Hill Education Foundation and on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce. I became involved in politics through my service on the Republican Town Committee and thereafter as a Commissioner on Planning and Zoning, and on the Economic Development Commission. Today I am honored to serve as the current 2-term Mayor of Rocky Hill, a position I intend to maintain like many other successful Senators proudly serving in a dual-capacity. My boots-on-the-ground municipal experience drove me to run for State Senate. Many of the issues we deal with at the local level will only be resolved through improved state legislation. I am running to bridge that gap to build solid foundations for strong communities the way I have in Rocky Hill. Notably, as a Republican female I have held consecutive terms in a historically Democrat town and have been endorsed for State Senate by former 4-term Democrat Mayor, Tony LaRosa. I believe both are a testament to the fact that taxpayers know I am here to represent them, all of them, irrespective of party affiliation and that together there is nothing we can’t accomplish.

      

       2. Despite tax relief included in the latest state budget, affordability remains a hot topic this election cycle -- where might there be opportunities for Connecticut to continue pushing toward that goal?

      

       Lisa: The key to making Connecticut affordable is forecasting taxpayers needs and responding to them proactively. Today the state has a tremendous surplus �" a wonderful thing -- but it’s failure to use a portion to provide immediate relief to taxpayers in nonsensical.

       Providing genuine tax relief, e.g., a reduction on diesel tax which directly impacts the costs of goods we buy at the grocery stores and elsewhere, and not temporary cuts like the consumer gas tax cut (set to expire after the election) would be beneficial. Thoughtful consideration is also needed when crafting policies to ensure balanced benefits for our towns and cities.

       For example, the recent cap on the motor vehicle mill rate saw many people paying higher car taxes and left many municipalities such as Rocky Hill with the burden of making up the lost revenue. The growing number of unfunded mandates and the lack of full state reimbursement to municipalities for programs we rely upon to deliver services and minimize tax increase is problematic. I plan to improve this state system that drives up local taxes to relieve the burden on taxpayers.

       Connecticut must also incentivize more affordable housing options to retain residents who in turn support our local businesses. When our businesses fail, our communities fail. Failure should never be an option.

      

      

       3. A large piece of the affordability question is how to lower healthcare costs for Connecticut consumers. How would you look to tackle this problem?

      

       Lisa: As healthcare costs continue to rise, Connecticut recently approved a substantial hike in state health insurance plans. This is not sustainable. We need to build a stronger foundation for our state and that begins with affordability, not only for our residents but for businesses of all sizes. We need to address the root causes for skyrocketing healthcare costs which begins by reducing the cost of doing business, decreasing regulations, addressing the severe labor shortage, and incentivizing recruitment and retention. Some politicians, continue to push the unpopular idea of a public option in healthcare. Experts tell us this is not the answer because it would drive companies away resulting in substantial job losses for Connecticut residents. Instead, we should focus on the root problems to drive down costs and make healthcare more affordable for residents to secure and businesses to offer.

      

      

       4. Over the past couple of years, current lawmakers have passed legislation to address motor vehicle property crime -- with newer policies including the streamlining of officer access to juvenile records, harsher penalties on adults who entice minors to commit car thefts, GPS ankle bracelet monitoring for juvenile repeat offenders, and expedited arraignments. Given that public safety is still a concern for Connecticut residents, what else do you feel needs to be done?

      

      

       Lisa: Public safety remains a concern for residents because lawmakers have not adequately addressed this issue and instead rushed sweeping legislation through making it difficult for law enforcement to do their job and hard for municipalities to recruit and retain needed officers. Recent policies while welcomed, should have been included in the original legislation and there are still areas that have not been addressed. Public safety is my number one priority as the leader of the fastest growing municipality in Greater Hartford.

      

       But public safety goes beyond supporting law enforcement. We must also focus on supporting community efforts to prevent crime in the first place. Public safety and community wellness are dependent upon one another. We must look at safety holistically and provide a dedicated stream of income to non-profits, grassroots organizations, juvenile review boards, and PAL programs, to name a few, who engage in local efforts that offer outlets, mental health support, housing, and rehabilitation to those in need. We must also look to incentivize greater regionalization of such valuable resources, including our local health districts to properly address addiction, fentanyl issues, and recovery options.

      

      

       5. Educators say the pandemic has put a spotlight on preexisting achievement gaps, mental health challenges, and equity issues in schools �" what else can the state do to support local districts in these areas, and what might that look like from a legislative policy standpoint?

      

       Lisa: There is no doubt that students across the state are struggling with academic, social, and emotional loss due to the pandemic at different levels and rates depending on the school district they attend. I would like to focus on reducing the gaps by incentivizing before and after school mentorship, enrichment, tutoring and internship programs for our youth. More support is needed for our non-profits who provide extraordinary services on shoestring budgets so they can expand partnerships within the communities they serve.

       It is time to streamline regulations and reduce the cost of annual recertification for our social workers and decrease the time periods that prevent qualified out of state mental health workers to fill critical shortages in Connecticut. We also need to better support our teachers and listen to the voices of our parents and guardians.

       Finally, I believe we need to develop a study with the goal of creating a template for best practices post-pandemic, identifying strengths and weaknesses across districts, so municipalities are on a level playing field when it comes to ensuring successful outcomes for all children.

      

      

       6. What is Connecticut doing well when it comes to climate and the environment, and what improvements would you look to make going forward?

      

      

       Lisa: Connecticut has done a great job identifying areas to address and developing goals to get there. Unfortunately, there are quite a few obstacles that prevent us from starting let alone reaching those expectations. We need to invest in developing a proper infrastructure before we look to municipalities to implement changes at the local level.

       Two clear examples: more focus is needed to ensure our grid in prepared to sustain electric vehicle expansion; and that, anaerobic digestors are available to support diversion of solid municipal waste and organic waste. Today, due to a lack of options and the closing of MIRA (trash to energy facility), many municipalities like Rocky Hill are sending their trash out of state to be buried. This is a huge step backwards. I would like to see a dedicated stream of income established to study options, incentivize public-private partnerships, and develop a solid infrastructure to support municipal needs.

      

      

       7. We’ve heard that reproductive rights are on the ballot this year, with the SCOTUS overturning of Roe v. Wade -- what is your view on Connecticut’s current policies concerning abortion, and what’s the legislature’s role going forward? What would you say to those questioning whether moderate Republicans will truly be able to shape their party’s agenda on this issue?

      

       Lisa: I don’t believe reproductive rights are “on the ballot” for two reasons: (1) both candidates for Governor support a woman’s right to choose; and (2) abortions rights were not overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

       In fact, the Court’s decision does not change a woman’s right to choose in Connecticut. I truly believe that all people should have freedom when it comes to their bodies and their health. The people of Connecticut made their expectations clear long ago on reproductive rights and those rights will remain protected through bi-partisan efforts today as they were in the past.

       I urge voters to not be distracted by political deflection. The most important issue on the ballot is affordability. Folks on a fixed income, families, graduates, and businesses alike are struggling to make ends meet. We need new proactive leadership to get us on a better path and to implement change. Change begins in the voting booth on November 8th. Change starts here.