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New Ideas and Collaborative Approaches

Madison’s residents don’t often come away from a local political debate feeling exhilarated, but last night’s forum for 101st District state representative, political newcomer John Michael Parker treated the audience to positive messaging and hope for a Connecticut turnaround.

John Michael’s youthful (age 30) appearance surprised many in the audience who became fully engaged when his articulate responses to the League of Women Voters (LWV) questions proved his high intelligence, his studied knowledge of the political scene in Hartford, his enthusiasm, and unwavering belief that Connecticut’s economy and standing in the nation could be fixed with some new ideas and collaborative approaches.

When the LWV moderator asked John Michael if he would promise to cut the state income tax, he replied that he couldn’t promise such cuts now because the next state budget begins with a $2 billion deficit in a $20 billion budget. He added that the $11 billion revenue from state income taxes represents more than half the state budget. How, he asked the audience, would you manage if your revenue was cut more than half? His initial solution, he said, is to increase revenue by fostering economic growth through selected regulation changes, especially for small businesses, and by addressing issues (good-paying jobs and commensurate housing) so that young college grads, trades/technical grads, and entrepreneurs aren’t forced to take their talents and dreams to other states.

Perhaps his most thoughtful contribution is his ability to see and discuss the interconnections among many of the issues, noting how each fix might impact other demographic or economic sectors. He’s a man with a vision for a thriving Connecticut for all its residents.

John Michael Parker gets my vote.

Barbara Davis

Madison