Editor’s Note: The candidates for State House and State Senate were given the opportunity to send HK-Now.com and Haddam Killingworth News a 450-word response to the question: “What do you bring to the table as a candidate, and what issues do you plan to focus on as a state legislator?” The statement below is from Democratic State Representative Candidate Renee LaMark Muir, who is seeking election in the 36th Assembly District. The candidate’s reply is unchanged from the original as submitted. HK-Now.com and Haddam Killingworth News are not responsible for errors in grammar, usage, punctuation or spelling.
I’m Renee LaMark Muir and I’m running for state representative of the 36th District. Growing up in Ivoryton and having lived in Deep River for 30 years, I have a deep understanding of our communities. I am running to represent all residents and will lead with competence and commitment.
I’ve dedicated my career to public service. As a public policy analyst, I understand the possibilities and limitations of government and know experience matters in the legislative process. I am skilled at identifying policy and system problems and developing solutions. My work has resulted in new policies that improved governmental outcomes and saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.
I understand effective partnerships between federal, state, and municipal governments are pivotal to implement policies and secure funding, like bonding and capital improvements. I will seize opportunities at each level to benefit you, our district, and state.
We should not be constrained by political ideology. Workable solutions frequently come from the center, while extreme positions often result in unintended and costly consequences. As a nonpartisan analyst, I know how to work across the aisle to negotiate consensus on complex issues.
My work required strong ethics and dedication to making government better and work harder for all residents. I will strive for more accountability and transparency. You will always know my positions and objectives.
I will be dedicated to mitigating the effects of climate change and to expand cost-effective green technologies. This aims to reduce our reliance on, and cost of, fossil fuel and traditional utilities.
As a veteran police officer, my priority is to reduce gun violence through better enforcement of gun laws. My goal is to recruit and train police officers and help fund local police departments. I will address reducing traffic speed on rural roads, preventing property crimes, and making local police more visible in our communities.
While the state has experienced unparallelled prosperity and budget surplus, the cost of living is burdensome. I support reducing taxes and expanding tax credits and flexibility in allocating state funds within fiscal guardrails. I believe we can pay down state debt and fund state pensions, as well as increase funding to improve the lives of all residents.
Connecticut is facing a housing crisis: low inventory and high costs. Most impacted are income-constrained people who work but cannot afford housing, especially young adults, working families, and Seniors. I will work to establish public-private housing partnerships, incentivize developers to build high-density and “starter” housing, and help first-time home buyers.
Women’s rights and access to reproductive healthcare must be protected. Far from being settled law, I will fight any further attempts to limit our rights under federal law and to strengthen protections in our state law.
