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Republican Gail Lavielle says she is running for the 143rd Assembly District seat because of the "terrible" condition of state finances. "Connecticut is in such a terrible economic and budgetary situation, and the way it is being handled is something I find unacceptable," she said.
Lavielle, who will challenge Democrat Peggy Reeves in November, specifically mentioned the state's $50-billion-plus of unfunded pension liability and Connecticut's per capita deficit, the nation's highest. A member of Wilton's Board of Finance, Lavielle has worked in business for 26 years and believes she can help get the state on the right track.
The candidate says the problem is not too little state income, but too much spending. Lavielle said, "To tax these people any more is unfathomable to me. I just don't know how it could be done."
The best solution going forward, according to Lavielle, is to begin consolidating and privatizing parts of state-run agencies. She does not advocate eliminating organizations that help the less fortunate. Privatizing them will make them more efficient without burdening taxpayers. "Take something that the government doesn't have any special competency to manage and have the private sector manage it," Lavielle explained.
Lavielle has been going to Hartford to get an understanding of the legislative process. However, she said she didn't sit on the House floor in order not to be disrespectful to Reeves.
"I've got the time to do this, and I got the situation to do this and I can give it everything I have," Lavielle said.
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