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Will Protect Taxpayers

As our state once again faces the prospect of billion-dollar deficits for the foreseeable future, it is imperative that Branford is represented in Hartford by those who will protect taxpayers. We cannot continue to treat taxpayers like an ATM that lawmakers tap anytime they want to avoid hard choices. We also need representatives to fight for us against those who would punish well run towns like Branford for our success.

In the race for state representative in the 102nd district, there is only one candidate with a demonstrated record of fighting for taxpayers, and that is Marc Riccio. Any Branford resident who has watched or attended an RTM meeting in the last decade will know Marc as the first person standing up to fight a tax increase or question an unnecessary boost in spending. As a small business owner for more than 30 years, Marc knows how to balance a budget, keep costs low, and provide services that customers demand. When it comes time to craft a budget next year, these are the qualities we need in our lawmakers if we hope to have a budget that is honestly balanced without placing the heaviest burden on taxpayers.

Unfortunately, we have seen some lawmakers in recent years look to use a town’s solid financial standing as a justification for eliminating their state aid or, worse, saddling them with a bill for the unfunded teacher pension plan (payments that the state government promised to foot many decades ago). Towns like Branford should not have their fiscal responsibility weaponized against them, and representative like Marc will ensure that doesn’t happen. Branford needs a real voice in Hartford, and for that reason I strongly endorse Marc Riccio for state representative.

Kelly Ricciardi

Branford