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Pragmatic Problem-Solver

I join the many others who have written to support Ted Kennedy, Jr. (D) for re-election to the 12th District State Senate seat. In addition to his many other accomplishments, Ted has demonstrated that he understands the environmental issues facing the state and the district and, as the Senate co-chair of the Environment Committee, is committed to crafting reasonable solutions to address them.

As an environmental lawyer practicing in Connecticut for nearly 40 years, I have had the privilege of working with the Environment Committee on many legislative proposals over the years. In my experience, Senator Kennedy stands out as a leader who reaches across the aisle to work out bipartisan solutions to the knotty environmental problems facing the state. He has also made it a hallmark of his tenure as co-chair to allow bills supported by the majority of his committee members to move forward, even when he might have had personal reservations about them.

Whether working on the pollinator legislation, which reduces the use of pesticides harmful to bees and other pollinating insects, or working on bipartisan legislation to provide funding solutions for programs important to outdoor sportsmen that were threatened by budget cuts, Senator Kennedy has proven to be an effective, pragmatic problem-solver more interested in advancing solutions than in worrying about who receives the credit for them.

In short, his approach to government is exactly what we need during these difficult times, and I would encourage everyone who cares about our natural environment to vote for Senator Kennedy on Nov. 8.

Greg Sharp

Northford