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Community Corner

Toni Boucher Hits the High Notes

Westport's State Senator Toni Boucher gave Westport Sunrise Rotary a quick picture of today's most visible issues.

She began by commenting about 9/11, calling the events of ten years ago a “unifying experience… we showed that to the world… I know it’s still there.”

Reviewing the power outage following Tropical Storm Irene, Ms. Boucher said “there was a delay in response that needs to be discussed.”  CL&P started slowly, seemingly due to “a lack of communication from the top,” but once their crews and the out of state crews began, everyone came together.

The worst of it, she said, was that CL&P sought a rate increase – on top of what are the highest rates in the lower 48 states - to pay for storm recovery work.

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Boucher told the group there will be a meeting in Westport on October 3 with First Selectman Gordon Joseloff and Representative Jonathan Steinberg to seek ideas for improvement.

She said the “outcry can only improve service,” and recommended that anyone writing a letter or an e-mail to her copy Governor Malloy.

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Ms. Boucher contrasted the response of the utility companies with that of Metro-North to the stranded passengers at Greens Farms.  While the railroad was negligent when the event occurred, ultimately the new commissioner of Transportation, Jim Redeker, “called everyone on the train” and Metro-North instituted new training programs for its crews.

She said she is one the same page as the governor on transportation and education, but differs with him on tax and illicit drug policy.

Ms. Boucher talked about education, saying the governor’s just appointed Commissioner, Stefan Pryor, brings a broad background.  He was a Deputy Mayor of Newark and co-founder of Amistad Academy in New Haven.

“We have an achievement gap in Westport as well as in the cities.”  She noted that the state has seen a change in in migration, from the Midwestern IBM executive to lower income people from neighboring states.  She said that in 2005 the average salary of those leaving the state was $77,000, while those moving in earned $46,000.

This, Boucher said, has brought about “new dynamics in our schools and our politics.”

She added that Education Cost Sharing, which benefits Westport very little, is being reduced.  While transportation and special education funding remains as before, construction funds will be cut.

She talked about recently announced changes in the higher education bureaucracy, from a Commissioner to a Chancellor and Board of Regents who will consolidate responsibility for the four state universities and all the community colleges.

They will seek to improve student retention and graduation rates.  She noted also that the new Chancellor, Robert Kennedy, has a background in workforce development.

The open question, she said, is “will the new model save money?”

She hoped the upcoming special session, called to address the economy and jobs, will be bi-partisan.

Ms. Boucher stated that “what drives Connecticut is small companies – Sub Chapter S businesses.”  She wants new legislation allowing profits to be placed in a tax deferred account the company can use for reinvestment.

She believes the state has moved too far from its pre-income tax days, and listed a few tax “deterrents,” including the inheritance tax that drives seniors out.  She hopes the legislature can “make the state more positive toward business,” citing here over regulation and costly DEP issues.

She closed by saying “I have a love affair with Rotary’s scholarship program.”  Ms. Boucher said it gave her the opportunity to study in Latin America, and helped her in college and afterward, as a translator.”

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