By Kathy Brown.
Former State Representative Robert Siegrist of Haddam is challenging incumbent State Representative Christine Palm of Chester for the 36th District seat on Nov. 3, 2020. We asked them some questions.
What made you decide to run for office/seek re-election?
Christine Palm: I’m running for re-election because, from my first term as a legislator, I have seen first-hand how vital government is in the daily lives of all citizens. I have spent the last seven months helping the residents of Haddam (and the other three towns I serve) get Unemployment Compensation through the overburdened Department of Labor (DOL) system. Folks in our towns who never thought they would be out of work or need the government’s help have needed me to advocate for them, and it’s been a privilege to do so. There is an enormous range of ways state government can be responsive: As I write this, I have received emails from residents in our district about: face shields for hair salon employees, extending the time town clerks have for counting absentee ballots, trash in Haddam Meadows, the rights of repair shops to fix electronics rather than be forced to dispose of them, nursing home visitations and safety practices, the role of public banking, ensuring court-ordered restraining orders for victims of intimate partner violence, and liaising with Congressman Joe Courtney’s office to help a local resident with PTSD from the Gulf War. And that’s just in the last hour!
Bob Siegrist: I love the lower Connecticut River Valley and was honored to have served you as your State Representative in the General Assembly from January 2017 to January 2019.
I moved to Haddam in 1995 and shortly thereafter got my first job in the district at the Chart House in Chester when I was 16. I graduated from Haddam-Killingworth High School in 2001 and from Quinnipiac University with a B.A. in 2006. I’ve had to work many jobs around the district to make ends meet since, most recently as a landscaper.
This very reason is why I first ran for State Representative in 2014 and why I was honored to be elected in 2016 — It is expensive to live in this state and I want to do everything I can to ensure young workers, families and retirees are able to afford to live in great communities like Haddam and districts like the 36th.
What is your platform?
Christine Palm: My platform can be summed up in two words: respect and advocacy. I’m deeply bothered by the incivility that has fractured our communities, and I will advocate for the restoration of respect: for working families, for essential workers, for the environment, for the U.S. Constitution, for women’s rights, for professional police officers, for Black lives, for struggling businesses, for science, and for easier voting access for all citizens.
My campaign slogan is: Who Leads Matters, because no one should run for office who intends merely to be a placeholder with no concrete ideas. It’s a very tough, low-paying job that requires constant dedication, nimbleness of mind, and a ferocious dedication to serving the public, at all costs. We need leaders, not followers, and I intend to continue to speak out against injustice, and to advocate for all members of our communities — whether or not they vote for me. Lawmaking is a messy business and you need to have strong ideas, backed up by the will to fight for them.
Bob Siegrist: I will be your local voice in Hartford to fight for issues that matter to you – taxes and state spending, our environment, unfunded state mandates, local public education – and the importance of how they impact your daily lives in the 36th District.
I will:
– Fight for the 36th District and local issues
–Oppose tax increases
-Propose common sense solutions for cost effective government
-Reduce regulations to promote and support small business growth
-Support legislation to make it more affordable for seniors to stay in their homes
What ideas do you have that you hope to share with fellow legislators should you win the election?
Christine Palm: My Democratic colleagues and I are determined to find ways to ensure that those deemed Essential Workers are protected and paid adequately. I was proud to vote to raise the minimum wage last session and to vote for Paid Family and Medical Leave. Moved as I have been by the outpouring of support and gratitude for Essential Workers – many of whom earn minimum wage – I believe it is critical that we put our money where our mouths are: to ensure they are safe, have death benefits (should they die from Covid contracted in the line of work) and have medical coverage.
We need to ensure that our Millennial and Gen Z residents can earn a living, afford housing, and put down roots in Connecticut. That’s why I created the Young Earner Prosperity Roundtable, through which young entrepreneurs, apprentices and employees can have access to government with ideas that can help them thrive.
We need to fund the Teachers Retirement pension fund so we keep our promise to teachers, who cannot collect Social Security in our state.
The pandemic has exposed many cracks in our current systems – especially our very limited voting regulations. While my opponent voted against early voting in our state when he was in office (2017), I was very proud to have been selected to lead the charge in the House of Representatives this summer to expand absentee balloting during the pandemic. I look forward to enhancing easier voting access for all citizens through a Constitutional Amendment (referendum) including early voting.
Bob Siegrist: We’ve tried solving the deficit with tax increases over the years. The Democrats imposed the largest and second–largest tax increases when I served in the legislature and put Connecticut in the state of fiscal crisis.
Companies moved out of state and jobs have not come back. We are behind almost every other state in the country when it comes to job creation and economic growth.
Create and support tax incentives for new businesses to come and stay in Connecticut. Everyone benefits when new businesses come to our state.
But businesses need predictability. The state has gone in and out of deficits on a yearly basis. Support permanent fixes to stop these vicious cycles. We will never attract and keep businesses as long as there continues to be threats of tax increases to fix budget deficits.
What do you hope to accomplish during your term/s should you win?
Christine Palm: I intend to re-introduce my two signature environmental protection bills – requiring the teaching of climate change science, and the protection of our coastline from commercial seismic surveying and drilling. I was proud to have been named a Legislative Champion by the CT League of Conservation Voters because of my work as a freshmen legislator.
I intend to continue to advocate for better healthcare coverage – I voted to make insulin more affordable, to protect Pre-Existing Condition Insurance coverage, expand mammogram coverage, and mental health parity. Opioids are a problem in our district (as they are everywhere) and I’m proud to have worked on initiatives to destigmatize substance abuse disorders. But there is so much more we need to do – starting with making Telehealth permanent. It’s been a godsend to so many during the quarantine, and especially for our seniors, and I believe it should be extended.
And I believe in fair taxation that will ease the burden on working families. Right now, the ultra-wealthy pay proportionally far less than working families pay. So many people complain about high taxes, and blame it on government spending. But they need to understand that our taxes would be lowered if the State earned more by taxing passive income streams of more than $1 million annually by raising the top marginal tax rate to its prior levels, when our economy was flush. Currently, the average effective tax rate for people making under $50,000 is 23.62%, while the top 1% (those making upwards of $612,000) pay only 7.44%. Clearly, working and middle class families are far more burdened, and I believe this needs to be addressed.
Bob Siegrist: Keep money in your pocket by voting against tax increases. I will always practice fiscal responsibility and prudence at the negotiating table, keeping in mind the hardworking residents of my district.
Common sense solutions for cost effective government. I will always listen and fight for common sense solutions aimed at building a better future for the residents.
Our beautiful environment is worth protecting. I will continue to advocate for the protection of our state parks and forests for the enjoyment of all.
To be your local voice in Hartford. I will always be that voice to fight for issues that matter to you and the importance of how they impact your daily lives in the 36th District.
What would you do specifically for this area?
Christine Palm: I will fight to extend PPP loans for local businesses, ensure our schools remain strong through robust Education Cost Sharing funds, protect our remarkably beautiful Connecticut River and parklands, and work to revitalize downtown Higganum with eco-tourism, innovative work hubs and incentives for young adult workers.
Specifically, I will hold Eversource accountable for exorbitant rates and poor service. When he was in office, my opponent voted for a bill (in 2017) that contributed to the de-regulation of utilities, setting the stage for the current disastrous situation. From the outset, I have condemned such corporate welfare – and would never have voted “yes” on that bill, had I been in office then. I object to the term “ratepayer” – these are hardworking citizens – and I will work to enact the “Take Back Our Grid” bill, which will, among other things, return money to these citizen ratepayers, including outrageous delivery charges and cost of spoiled food and medicine, curb executive compensation, and encourage local, municipal electricity delivery companies.
Bob Siegrist: A representative that works for the district – I understand the needs of the 36th District. We need to do everything possible to keep young families and workers staying in Connecticut. It is expensive for them and all residents of my district. I support opportunities to increase the affordable housing stock in Essex, Chester, Deep River, and Haddam.
I voted against tolls when I served in the legislature two years ago, and if it comes up again I will do the same. I view tolls as an additional tax on Connecticut drivers. Over the years the Special Transportation Fund has been raided to fill other holes in the budget. I firmly believe that if money is designated for transportation, it should be used for transportation.
As I talk to many residents and storeowners across the 36th District we live in a beautiful part of the state, and we have many attractive, unique small businesses. I think an effective means of growing this area’s economy is increasing tourism. I will continue to advocate for funding for development that makes it easier for our beautiful small towns to attract tourism through improved transportation and support for small businesses. I also consider it very important that any such development would not jeopardize the area’s serene natural environment.
Anything else you would like voters to know about you.
Christine Palm: I am a relative late-comer to politics who shares most people’s healthy skepticism of government. I am unafraid to stand up to my caucus — indeed, I am often a thorn in the side of Leadership, as I frequently push for bolder legislation and question the status quo.
I love the strategy and tactics of crafting bills (I introduced 11 in my first term, three of which were advancing when COVID hit) but I also understand the tremendous need to connect day-to-day on bread-and-butter issues of concern to residents. All public policy must benefit the residents — otherwise it’s just theory.
I try always to be responsive, including to those who take issue with my policy stances. I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to serve, and I welcome ideas and suggestions from residents. Although a Democrat, I am always eager to work across the aisle whenever commonality can be found; I respect and admire our First Selectman, Bob McGarry, with whom I look forward to working on eco-tourism and other initiatives to increase our local tax base and improve the quality of life for our citizens.
Bob Siegrist: I had a 100% Voting record, never missed a vote or committee meeting – I participated in every vote in the House Chamber when I humbly served as your representative two years ago. When I’m elected your state representative this year I will strive to retain my 100% voting record. I take my position as your local voice in Hartford very seriously and since the legislature only meets for part of the year, I don’t think I should miss anything that may affect our district communities.
