Suffield Voters Guide

John A. Kissel – R

1. Seeking 17th Term, Seventh Senate District. Senate Chair, Regulations Review Committee; Ranking Member, Judiciary; Member General Law Committees. Endorsed by Building and Trades Council, CT Retired Teachers. CT State Police Union, CT Uniformed Police Officers, CT Realtors, and others. Watchdog for your precious tax dollars and constitutional rights. Constituent service second to none. Able to work across party lines to pass bills such as 2024 anti-vaping bill for minors proposed by the Enfield Youth Counsel.

2. Our biggest issue will be to maintain the very healthy Spending, Bonding and Volatility Caps which keep budgeting in check and have allowed us to pay down our long-term debts. The majority have painted themselves into a corner by using one-time non-recurring federal relief dollars to patch over issues this year. There will be a push to break the caps, and I will fight that and any tax increase proposals. I will continue to fight for my towns for proper state education funding and with excellent and well-known constituent responsiveness. I am asking for your vote.

Cindy Mangini– D

1. I’ve served for over 20 years on Enfield’s Town Council, on the National League of Cities’ Public Finance Committee, and with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. I have not only the vision but the nuts-and-bolts experience to deliver for our residents.

2. Cost of living is our biggest problem. My opponent, who works as Eversource’s attorney in his day job, hasn’t done anything to get the exorbitant rates his employer charges under control. We also need to address the housing crisis, end price gouging, and explore an end to our burdensome gas tax.

Mangini For Senate Contact information:
Website: http://manginiforsenate.org 
Email: cindy@manginiforsenate.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManginiForSenate/

---

Tami Zawistowski – R

It has been my honor to serve as your State Representative since 2014. I am Chairman of the House Republican Bill Screening Committee which reviews and evaluates potential impact of all bills that pass legislative committees, in addition to ongoing responsibilities on Appropriations, Transportation and Planning and Development Committees. I have received awards from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and Connecticut Council of Small Towns for opposing unfunded mandates, defending local autonomy in zoning and increasing property tax abatements for volunteer first responders. As a small business owner, I understand the importance of not burdening businesses with unnecessary regulations. My previous employment as Executive Vice President of Northeast Savings has provided me with further insights. I have successfully championed legislation to benefit seniors, veterans and those with autism. My endorsements include CT Association of Realtors, National Federation of Independent Business, Police Officers Association of Connecticut, Association of Retired Teachers, others. Locally, I have been a member of Suffield Rotary for the past ten years.

By far the most pressing problem facing Connecticut is the high cost of living. I was involved with crafting the 2017 budget that installed spending and borrowing caps, paid down debt and set the stage for the personal income tax cuts in the 2023 budget. I will be following through on my proposals to reduce energy bills, review insurance cost hikes and increase government efficiencies, along with opposing any proposed tax increases. Your vote on Nov. 5 will let me continue that work.

www.tamizforthe61st.com

Michael Malloy – D

1. What are your qualifications for this office?
 I am a parent, a businessman, and a local political leader. I have built, sold, and continue to operate several successful businesses in Suffield, East Granby and Enfield. I am currently the longest serving member on the East Granby Board of Finance. I serve as the Chairman of the Board of Assessment Appeals,and have served on the PZC and the Inland Wetlands Commission.

My unique real-world business and political experience will allow me to work within the Democratic Majority to help ensure the legislature works in a bi-partisan manner. I don’t believe in ideological stand-offs. I believe in progress through compromise. Though you can always trust if I see something wrong, I will challenge it. As I have done constantly in East Granby.

2. What do you see as the biggest problem facing the State of Connecticut and what specific actions would you undertake to resolve it?

The cost of living.

I support continuing to expand middle class tax relief, which is the broadest approach and will ultimately help everyone.

I would seek a lessening of our towns’ reliance on property taxes to fund education. This would require the state to change its funding formula and assume certain educational costs. Funding Middle School and High School Athletics would be one I prefer and would expand and guarantee opportunities in smaller towns.

I would work to ensure the legislature prioritizes lower cost and clean energy. There were agreements regarding our nuclear power plant that were shortsighted. They will be expiring soon and need to be replaced by a tenable long-term plan. In the interim I would support a tax break for those most affected. We need to explore every option.