By Tom Newman
Stratford Crier Editor
Interview Summary – Please view the complete interview above.
Jason has served as a state Representative in Shelton since 2007. Much of his work has been focused on economic development and bringing funding to Shelton. This has included grants for riverfront redevelopment, industrial park infrastructure, and reconstruction of the historic Bridge Street bridge between Shelton and Derby.
He has spent his career in the healthcare field, which has informed his work on behalf of seniors. The concern he hears most from seniors and retirees is affordability. Three of Jason’s main objectives in that area are: work to remove the tax on Social Security benefits and pensions; eliminate the Public Benefit charges on utility bills, which he views as hidden taxes; provide Property Tax relief.
He acknowledges the difficulty of accomplishing these goals, and that bipartisan support is needed with Democratic allies. He says in his years as a representative he has nurtured relationships across the aisle, and that approach will translate to the Senate as well.
As a senator, his district would be larger, incorporating Shelton, Monroe, Stratford and Huntington. He believes the towns have much in common, but understanding the needs of the individual communities and working with the leaders of those communities are key.
He believes that a vibrant economy is step one in supporting our youth so they have opportunities for employment and cultural activities that would keep them here to eventually raise families of their own.
The last nine years of his career in health care have been spent in mental health and addiction. His is very aware of the challenges and the stigmas in these areas, and believes it is incumbent on leaders to break down the stigmas. He wants to ensure that insurers provide adequate coverage for those with mental health issues.
He believes that Connecticut has been aggressive in gun control laws. He says that much of the gun crime is in urban areas and is handgun related and trafficking related. He endorses getting more serious about penalties. He feels that in Connecticut “we are where we need to be” in regard to background checks for purchasing guns.
On the issue of affordable housing, he says the laws on this have been here for decades and have created very little affordable housing. He says the laws have created situations for developers to weaponize the statutes to get zoning approval for extremely dense projects that no “right-minded board of planning and zoning would approve”.
He believes the solution can be in providing tax incentives to use existing sites that maybe commercial, industrial or blight. He feels the “current laws don’t work and are unfair and punishing to surrounding neighborhoods.”
His lies about his opponent and MAGA-level mudslinging show his true character. No thanks.