September 12, 2008

What issues do you want me to ask state legislative candidates about?

When I talk with the candidates for the state House and state Senate in the coming weeks, what should I ask them? What issues are most important?
Obviously I do not have the time or space to get into everything -- and I make no promises about bringing back answers to any particular question -- but I'll try to get answers about issues that seem the most pressing.
I'll also encourage the candidates to address other issues themselves with written responses that I can post here.

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd like to ask Senator Colapietro if he's a member of the Communist party.

Anonymous said...

Can you ask each of them what their position is on reducing the State income tax?

Anonymous said...

You gotta be kidding another way for the republicans to snipe ?

Anonymous said...

Can you ask them if they believe that relying on property tax to fund such a large portion of local education costs continues to make sense? If not, what alternatives might they champion?

Anonymous said...

Are you opening the door for these Neo-Nazi's ?

Anonymous said...

Maybe it's now time to notify the FBI to expose these terrorists on here.

Anonymous said...

Ask Geladino if he is still running?

Anonymous said...

Steve is there any value to the 222 posters question ?

Anonymous said...

Who is Geladino?

Anonymous said...

What makes you think he is a communist? He has done nothing but help the average people. He has done more for Bristol then anyone who has ever been in office.

Anonymous said...

I would like to ask Colapietro if he understands how/why jobs are created in the private sector.

Anonymous said...

"Maybe it's now time to notify the FBI to expose these terrorists on here. September 12, 2008 6:22 PM"

--Sorry jerk, but the FBI agents aren't ignorant nor are they stupid enough to violate the First Ammendment.

Anonymous said...

Would you guys actually vote for a democrat? C'mon this is sooooo predictable.Even if they answered the way you want you wouldn't vote for them so why should they answer to you at all?

Anonymous said...

Can you ask Frank if we give him $50, will he drop out and stop causing more problems... for our Town and our State by spearheading nonsense issues and being pretty much useless, like he was as Mayor. Ya he held back tax increases for years and look where we are now. We will still be paying for his F-up's for the next Century! The last place he needs to be is in Hartford making more of a mess for us to clean up. He should be home, retired....and tootin on his horn (or trumpet)....since he does that so well.

Anonymous said...

Steve as them about affordable housing and property tax relief

Anonymous said...

Nah, he probably threw in the towel.

Anonymous said...

Can you ask each of them how they intend to reach across party lines and put the voters of Connecticut first?

Anonymous said...

Ask Frank when he will end his 30 year run on getting paid by the taxpayers.

Steve Collins said...

Is there a value to the 2:22 question? Not in my opinion.
Colapietro himself is ready to sue the person who wrote it. He is hopping mad that someone would make such an outlandish, incendiary charge. I don't blame him.

Anonymous said...

Steve-It seems in the recent history of the state legislature we have seen an erosion of local control over educational issues. I would like to know if the candidates will continue to create legislation which continues that trend. I mean specifically Healthy food, bullying and suspension legislation. While I think these are areas that should be under the purview of local BOE it seems legislators want to usurp such control.

Additionally, funding for students who attend magnet schools from the local school district needs addressing so I would like their opinion on solutions that don't impact the local school districts revenue stream.

Anonymous said...

and how would colopietro know who 2:22 is?

Anonymous said...

I think a subpena from the FBI would tell. I think we all have a pretty good idea that means we're already close. They can do the rest.

Anonymous said...

Hey yoiu with the fake name Chris Wilson. My name is john Doe too. :=) Why don't you smart a#@$ check the voting records of the republicans on how they voted on these issues. It's all public records. You republicans are nothing but what they call you on here. Hatemongering, namecalling phonies. Hope more people are watching this web. For all of you I think these are the rejects from the republican party giving them a bad name.

Anonymous said...

For the record, I was not speaking about necessarily our legislators from Bristol but legislators in general are usurping more an more control from the boE. I believe the local community can and should make decisions such as suspensions, healthy food choices and bullying. There should not be a one size fits all by the state but each community should make that decision for themselves based on how their community values a particular issue.

BTW I am a real person-no fake name. I don't perceive this to be a partisan issue but maybe I am naive. I just don't believe the state has the capacity to make decisions for all its citizens in a broad brush.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to ask Senator Colapietro if he's a member of the Communist party.

Is there a value to the 2:22 question? Not in my opinion.
Colapietro himself is ready to sue the person who wrote it. He is hopping mad that someone would make such an outlandish, incendiary charge. I don't blame him.

Sorry I do not see this as a "charge" it is a stupid question. Mr. Colapietro time for you to find a new line of work or a thicker skin. I am "hopping mad" that the people of Bristol still vote you into office. Steve you are the administrator of this blog you never had to post that question or 5:27 comments either. It seems that most of the people that post on here are just childish that includes you Mr. Colapietro.

Anonymous said...

Well Chris if that is your real name you should take a look at this partison web site and maybe you'll think twice before you express an opinion on a issue. These republicans on here prefer to hide and snipe. So if your not one of them good luck ! They think that they, not government nor anyone should rule the country but them. Kinda like Hitler thought he could. If in fact you are an innocent person as you say , you have my appologies.

Anonymous said...

Maybe the state that the local BD ED were moving to slow or they felt it was under their perview.Ask the state BD ED.

Anonymous said...

Anyone can be found out . there is a trail 222. I would be careful what say here cuz YOU CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

Anonymous said...

Awe...pooe little tommy got his whig messed up! Get a life Tom...dish it out but can't take it...go to Florida...they like blowhards like you.

Steve ask Tom if has ever had an original thought that lead meaningful legislation...everything he says he has introduced has been given to him by his party....I think it was the democrat party...but who knows?

Anonymous said...

Now you can see the true mentality of the republican's on here. They have no point so they get pwersonal on whoever the Demostrat is. Sick children. No wonder people won't vote for them !

Anonymous said...

Ask Senator Colapietro if he would support a research study to assess the appropriate the size of schools for the children of CT. ( not district size, not class room size)

Our state needs to be reviewed and assessed for public policy reasons.

Someone needs to determine a set of guidelines concerning the appropriate "school size" for both primary and secondary grades for CT.
A study of this nature was conducted by the State of New Jersey. This initiative was sponsored by several legislators from that particular state. The educational researchers were from Rutgers University. Unfortunately, given budget constraints, the study had to limit the question to high schools only. Primary schools were not assessed. Nevertheless, an optimum high school size was determined.

The interesting thing is that the optimum size of NJ high school is the size of the proposed K8's in Bristol.

That is why the question of "optimum size" for primary schools need to be empirically determined for CT.

CB

Steve Collins said...

Thanks to the few who are taking this seriously.

Anonymous said...

where is my money going and why?? I do not see any benefits from the taxes I pay out each and every day !! You my say my trash gets picked up and the snow gets plowed (sometimes), but thats about it.

Anonymous said...

Obviously the Communist party question was an allusion to Mr. Colapietro's voting habits. The comment was a little extreme, but it made the point.

I would like Mrs. Denski to be asked if she's learned what a grant is yet. At a Plymouth Town Council meeting she asked what it was. Not too promising a candidate for our State Representative. Would love to see her and Mr. Hamzy in a debate!!!

Anonymous said...

12:25: Colopietro is too...mmm...intellectually challenged to understand your question. It is a good one however.

Anonymous said...

For those that are trying to take this seriously the "noise" sure gets in the way. It's too bad. I'd rather see you get a list of issues to discuss with the candidates but instead you just get angry speak.....

Anonymous said...

4:14: A good portion of your local tax goes to education. This always increases due to "fixed costs" that are mostly raises for teachers and especially administrators. The rest of your taxes, a smaller and smaller portion, pays for police and fire protection, for public works to keep roads open, for trash pickup, for libraries, and for a whole host of mundane things that many of us take for granted but would not like to be without.

A good question for our candidates is what have they done (or what would they do if elected) to control the costs of education. What will they do to reform binding arbitration? How about unfunded mandates? How about screening before awarding reimbursements for new schools where new schools aren't really needed? Many cities and towns are falling apart while taxes go up for education. What will these candidates do about this?

Anonymous said...

I'd like you Steve, to ask Senator Colapietro what he feels the state government should do to retain jobs and businesses in Connecticut.

The National Association of Manufacturers strongly opposes a bill in the US Congress called the “Employee Free Choice Act” which basically would make it much easier for unions to organize.

Does Colapietro support this type of legislation? Does the NLRB have to administrate elections (for unions) in Connecticut now anyway? Does he feel this will help ratain jobs or will it discourage new companies from coming here or will it drive companies already here away (in his opinion of course)?

Anonymous said...

Obviouysly the "Brilliant" phony who can't even spell. We do not take imbeciles seriously. We just consider the source.We know you are nothing but big mouth escapeees fron My Space. They are more intelligent than the Republicans on thisbvlog. If I were Tom I wouldn't answer a single question from a gutless phony on here.

Anonymous said...

question should be to the gop - "how come colapietro doesn't have a viable candidate running against him?"
you nominate a person (Geladino)in name only and then expect us to support the party?
Derrick Jerome is doing nothing either - the party needs to get serious if it expects to retain it's supporters - forget about local growth, there is no reason to join but a heck of a lot of reasons NOT TO JOIN.

Anonymous said...

To 7:47You are absolutely right but if I were a candidate I would like to know who I am talking to. On here it's too much of an obviously disgruntled few republicans that don't really care about the issues at all. They just try to make democrats look bad. Just look at this site. I understand that if I really wanted to know about an issue from an incumbant all I have to do is call the office. But if I just want to make those I wouldn't vote for anyway look bad I would as the not so serious people on here are doing just getting personal and playing childrens games. Please look at this site objectively.

Anonymous said...

--Sorry jerk, but the FBI agents aren't ignorant nor are they stupid enough to violate the First Ammendment.

September 12, 2008 8:12 PM

We'll let them see what dopes they have to deal with. Watch out time is running out for you hatemongering terrorist.

Anonymous said...

This blog is sounding more and more of a jealously blog against C-o-l-a-p-i-e-t-r-o A few imbeciles to boot !Anybody got any skeletons in the closet? They will be coming out if that's the only thing you understand. Now, now children soon you will be getting a time out!

Anonymous said...

5:31

Why don't you ask Mocabee, Schafrick and Barnes?

They have all the answers.

Anonymous said...

12:30, I don't believe those three are running for office.

I also would like to know how the candidates will reduce the state income tax. We're about due for another Tea Party.

Anonymous said...

Blogger at 5:31

You sure hit the nail on the head!

Anonymous said...

No one should answer to gutless wonders.

Anonymous said...

Let me rephrase the question. I would like to ask Jill Fitzgerald why Mocabee isn't a teacher any mor? Hope you print this Steve it's only fair.

Anonymous said...

2:57

Read 5:31 again: the question was asked of the GOP, who is/are Mocabee, Schafrick. Barnes.

Anonymous said...

September 15, 2008 11:58 AM:

The First Ammendment protects everybody's freedom of speech. However a public figure like a State Senator doesn't enjoy the same protection from public opinion as normal citizens do.

As a matter of fact people are well within their rights to express their opinion of a public official, his decisions, how they proceive an elected officials ideology and they are ceratinly free to ask questions.

Also the word "ignoramus" is spelled as I spell it, not as you did.

Anonymous said...

September 15, 2008 5:31 AM:

I agree. But you need to get involved and make it what you want. There's people involved now that have almost nothing in comon with the state or national party. What would you like to see?

Anonymous said...

I would sue the Bristol Press, but they don't have any money to pay me.

Anonymous said...

Opinions are welcome not "wise remarks" from a stalker. And if you think the 1st ammendment protects scum like you, lets see.
And your kind is making many , many mistakes on here and all that proves is that even though you think you're perfect not! Consider the source folks.

Anonymous said...

6:16 a.m. Get over yourself!

Anonymous said...

6:16 you are the one who loves yourself because I don't think anyone else could. Looks like you are the typical republican cowardly cry baby !

Anonymous said...

Ask Joe, "The Shadow" Geladino why he is (isn't) running.

Anonymous said...

From The Communist Party USA website:

"The only strategy capable of defeating the ultra-right is the widest possible unity of all the class and social forces whose interests run counter to those of the most reactionary section of the transnationals. Such an all-inclusive coalition would need to be led by labor and the working class in close alliance with the nationally and racially oppressed, women, and youth. It should include seniors, family farmers, the LGBT community, professionals and the self-employed, small business owners, and the disabled—everyone except the most reactionary section of transnational capital. This unity will include an ever-growing Left-Center political coalition that includes the Democratic Party, left and progressive independents who recognize the danger the ultra-right poses, and all social movements on the major issues of our day. This all-people’s front should strive to, and be able to, attract many who voted Republican in the past"

http://www.cpusa.org/article/view/758

Anonymous said...

9:43 Didn't know you read their web site! Are you a reading on line member? Truthfully I didn't even know they had a site but are you are a follower/fan ? No wonder you promote/talk about them so much!

Anonymous said...

Joe, where are you??

Anonymous said...

He's too busy reading the Commies website with the republicans.

Anonymous said...

He can read???