These past two years, it has been my honor to be your State Senator. When I ran for election, I stated a promise that I would work with you and work for you, using common sense, and doing things in a bipartisan way to get things done. I also promised to keep you informed about what is going on with your state government, to listen to you, and to be your strong voice in the legislature. These are promises I have kept. And they are promises that I am continuing to keep.
By working together, working with my fellow legislators and the Governor, and working with Stafford elected officials on a regular basis, good things are being done. I am continuing this work ethic. And I continue to be out and about all thirteen towns of the 35th State Senate District (Stafford included) meeting with people. My friend, former Senator Tony Guglielmo, who has endorsed me for re-election (thank you Tony!), was well known for doing this. I took to heart his advice to me to do the same, which I am proud to do.
Here are some of the things important to you and to the Stafford community that I have done and am working on, including addressing the high cost of living in CT:
Negotiated and helped pass in a bipartisan way (working also with the Governor), historic, big state income tax cuts for low- and middle-income people and families.
Negotiated and help pass expanded tax exemptions for seniors’ retirement accounts and pensions.
Leading the fight to lower electricity bills by removing taxes on the bills. Electricity bills should only be about the electricity you use and nothing else.
Sponsored and got passed property tax exemptions for certified service-related 100% disabled veterans.
Got passed increases in the earned income tax credit for working low-income people.
Fighting against state unfunded mandates on our towns that you pay for in your property taxes.
Voted against legislation that would increase motor vehicle taxes.
Supported child tax credits for working families. Did not pass this year but Jeff is working on it for next year.
Voted to continue the bipartisan “fiscal guard rails” that limit state spending, which keeps on an even keel that state budget so that there are not big ups and downs in the budget that in prior years caused big tax hikes.
Voted to continue the bipartisan effort to keep paying down the state’s big debt burden (billions of $) and big unfunded pension liabilities (billions of $). This means less money being spent to service the debt burden via interest payments, freeing up money to be spent on needed programs.
Fought and won to stop big cuts in state public education funding to towns (including Stafford) and overall helped increase by $240 million the state funding of public education.
Fought the insurance companies and won; now it is more difficult for them to deny or delay medical care you need, including for special needs kids.
Defending all your individual rights, parental rights, and medical freedoms (including maternal heath, women’s health, and reproductive care).
Strengthening and supporting local health care at our community hospitals, including EMS.
Remaining strong for law enforcement so they can do what they are trained to do to keep your family and you safe, and to help you when you need help. And pushing to hold criminals accountable.
Working for our fire departments to better provide them resources and support.
Brought in state grants and state bonding money for our towns.
Fought for more state infrastructure projects in our part of the state.
Fighting for ongoing, smart economic development and support for the job-creating businesses in our towns and state (I was proud to welcome the Governor to Stafford when TTM Technologies expanded its base in Stafford).
There is much more to do. I look forward to doing it. I ask for your vote during early voting or on election day (Nov 5th) to re-elect me as your State Senator so that I can continue working for you. Leadership with experience, integrity, and hard work matters.
Jeff Gordon
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