ROCKY HILL - Candidate: Kerry Wood

       Running for: 29th State House District

       District towns: Rocky Hill/Wethersfield

       Party: Democrat

       Status: Incumbent (First elected in 2018)

      

      

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

      

       Kerry:

       I am a commercial real estate agent, so my days involve helping business owners and landlords manage their commercial properties. I wanted to get more involved when I constantly heard complaints about Connecticut's economy, especially when compared to our surrounding states. I brought my business experience to the table when promoting the Angel Investor Tax program, streamlining the state's cumbersome Transfer Act, and expanding the Apprentice Training Program. I made sure to visit our state's key industries and be a champion for our small businesses. Working with the CT Restaurant Association, we crafted innovative grant programs that helped to keep our restaurants open during the pandemic. The state's ability to partner with our business community has been key to the successful growth of our economy, the $5.4 billion that we contributed to paying down debt and contributing $3.2 billion into our state's savings account.

      

      

       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 this goal?

      

       Wood:

       One of my favorite ways to connect with people is to knock on their door. The residents of Wethersfield and Rocky Hill have been so kind and approachable, and here's what they are saying when I ask about the affordability question. First, taxes are the most common theme. Putting it frankly, people want to pay less in property taxes (set at the local level) and income taxes (set at the state level). We've made some good progress at the state level when it comes to tax reduction such as eliminating the income tax on Social Security for most residents and suspending our state's gas tax during these tough times. Property tax reform that originates at the state level to incentivize towns to regionalize services and purchasing will be a hot topic in future sessions. Freezing property taxes for seniors is another common request I support, but it is a decision made at the local level. With our record savings, we should look at reductions in our income tax. Second, our utility rates have skyrocketed. I have opposed these increases. Over the past 3 months, I have helped more people than ever before get on payment plans and tap into assistance to help pay their electric and heating bills. Connecticut's electrical rates are tied to our reliance on natural gas and oil. Clean energy investing must grow exponentially faster than our current path. Our state legislature already enacted one of the largest offshore wind projects in the country, but we need to diversify our energy generation in a much bigger way to see major cost savings. I am committed to making Connecticut more self-reliant on our energy needs.

      

      

      

       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?

      

       Wood:

       Here in Connecticut, the legislature has jurisdiction to regulate plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and plans that are labeled as "fully insured" versus "self-insured" (self-insured plans are insurance plans paid for by medium to large companies and organizations like the State of Connecticut, Electric Boat, Stanley Black & Decker, etc.). The fully insured market contains the smallest number of insured people in our state, at around 28% of all insured. Recent legislation passed by the Federal Government has subsidized ACA plans through 2025. While this has been a huge cost savings to people on these plans, this is still a short-term solution. This year, we passed legislation to collect data on the state's overall healthcare spending. For the first time, we are collecting information on what people pay for prescription drugs, hospital visits, and other health care costs. This data will help us to set a plan for our healthcare goals as a state. We can predict future healthcare issues and help slow the growth of healthcare costs by investing more, for example, in preventative care. Additionally, we have enacted legislation to address the underlying costs of care. There's always more work to do in this space, so I have gathered some of our smartest minds in healthcare to be at the table as we explore cost savings.

      

       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?

      

       Wood:

       I look to our leaders in law enforcement to be a voice at the table when helping us address these issues. This is why I've been endorsed by the Police Officer's Association and the Firefighters. There's more technology that can be utilized, like drones, cameras, and license plate readers (LPRs.) We put into place two years of overtime funding that allows Rocky Hill's and Wethersfield's Police Departments to work collaboratively with the forensic team in Hartford to collect DNA when cars are stolen which has led to more arrests than ever before. In 2020 when car thefts and property thefts were at their peak, I convened a bipartisan working group to strengthen laws and increase funding. One break-in in our community is one too many. I have always been and will continue to be committed to being a part of the solution to safer communities.

      

       5. With candidates and constituents calling for an economic recovery that balances business and worker interests, how might the state improve existing policies (such as paid family medical leave), and what new ones (if any) would you pursue if elected?

      

       Wood:

       I was disappointed when our paid leave program did not allow people to access it when they were out of work due to COVID or when caring for people with COVID. Right at a time when people needed it the most, the program failed thousands of people throughout the state. This is something that should be explored when making improvements to the program. I'd also like to see state employees added to the program, as excluding them means the program is at risk of becoming insolvent. I have been opposed to state-sponsored programs that all taxpayers pay in to but only benefit a small group. Having more people actively paying into the program means it's better situated for long-term solvency on its own rather than requiring a taxpayer bailout.

      

       6. 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?

      

       Wood:

       I spoke with educators, parents, and students throughout the pandemic. I used this perspective to push for and win major increases in funding for Rocky Hill and Wethersfield schools. This funding and the new programs it supports are designed to address the achievement gap, mental health, and equity. Starting in January 2023, our school district can apply for these funds, and they will be in place through 2025. During the next legislative session, we will analyze these programs and make sure that they are effectively benefitting our children and teachers and make adjustments as needed.

      

      

       7. We've heard numerous voters sound off with concerns about the state's environmental and climate future. What is Connecticut doing well in this area, and what improvements would you look to make going forward?

      

       Wood:

       We passed very strong emission standards this past session which will help with Connecticut's air quality for future generations. We also passed into law a new 100% renewable energy goal by 2030. For my support of this amazing progress, I've been endorsed by the Sierra Club and League of Conservation Voters. We still need to address how we recycle and remove waste in this state. In many states, glass is removed separately from other recycled materials because its recyclability is much higher than other materials. I love the work other towns are doing in removing food waste from our trash. I am very supportive of the work led by Rocky Hill's Sustainability Task Force which is also seeking to find solutions to our food waste. Food waste (and animal manure) is now being used as an energy supply through anaerobic digestors.

      

       8. 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?

      

       Wood:

       We passed legislation this past session to protect not only a woman's right to choose, but it also protects practitioners and women from other state's seeking reproductive health care. We've sent a message nationally that Connecticut is a leader in women's healthcare rights. It's a personal and private medical decision that should remain a choice between a woman and her healthcare provider. I'm thankful to be in a state that has remained true to these values.