PAID ADVERTISEMENT Shoreline Chamber Candidate Forum Offers Some While residents of District 12 familiarize themselves with early voting for the first time, and with less than two weeks until Election Day (November 5th), candidates are making their final rounds to ensure no stone is left unturned while courting voters. One organiza- tion that attracts a great deal of attention is the New Hav- en Shoreline Chamber, which organizes candidates in the district each year to address selected concerns and issues surrounding the business com- munity. This election season features some familiar faces, including elected officials and second-time candidates from 2022. Some may remember that in 2022, the Shoreline was not to be denied as they took their forum to a Zoom conference meeting in the name of social distancing. During that time, incumbents such as State Mi- nority Leader and State Rep- resentative Vincent Candelora, State Senator Christine Cohen (challenged by Rep. Paul Cris- ci), State Representative John Michael Parker of the 101st District (challenged by John Rasimas), and State Repre- sentative Robin Comey of the 102nd District (challenged by Rep. Ray Ingraham) were all present. During the forum, can- didates had 90 seconds to an- swer questions and comment on issues ranging from Con- necticut's financial health to small business regulations. A major issue during the 2022 forum was the recovery of small Connecticut businesses after Debate Moments the pandemic. Each candidate Now, in 2024, the environ- responded similarly, acknowl- ment has noticeably changed edging the need for collabora- from two years prior, with a tion to help small businesses live forum hosting eight can- return to where they were. An- didates and approximately one other question that provided hundred spectators preparing an interesting twist was when for the 2024 forum. Unlike in each candidate was asked for most years, this election is of- their thoughts on the future of fering many of the same chal- the Greater New Haven area. lengers to the incumbents, most While each candidate provided notably Ingraham and Crisci in a positive outlook, emphasiz- their same races. Newcomer ing the opportunities presented Lisa Deane (R), best known for by the shoreline and cityscape, her efforts with the nonprof- tion from fourth grade and up one candidate had a different it Demand Zero, is replacing to teach not only business con- "I perspective. "I want everyone to close their eyes for a minute and imagine if Yale New Haven Medical Facility and Yale Uni- versity no longer existed. What would the Greater New Hav- en area have to offer, let alone the state of Connecticut?" This statement came from Paul Crisci, who was, at the time, a first-time challenger for the District 12 State Senate seat. Crisci continued his thoughts to the somewhat solemn group of candidates by explaining, am not being negative. I am be- ing a realist. The state of Con- necticut has lost an enormous number of big businesses, and the list keeps growing," refer- ring to notable companies such as Aetna Insurance and General Electric. Crisci warned that if we don't pay attention to these losses-not only in corporate tax revenue but also in terms of the impact on employed taxpayers we could find our selves in a deficit while over burdening our residents. At the time, Crisci was criticized for his concerns and ultimately lost a respectable race to incumbent Christine Cohen. John Rasimas. Each candidate was given the opportunity a week prior to review the ques- tions and prepare their thoughts and ideas. As in the past, cach candidate was allotted sixty seconds for an introduction and then ninety seconds for every question thereafter. As the candidates offered their thanks to the committee for their efforts, each had a mo- ment to propose what legis lation they would advocate if (re)elected. Many expressed their concerns about afford ability and stated they would look to improve measures. Paul Crisci presented an interesting twist by detailing his vision for "Project 18-29 and Beyond," measure that, if passed, would offer business incentives to hire Connecticut-based individuals between the ages of 18 and 29, with provisions extending up to 34 years of age. Young adults in this age range would also benefit from "no tax" on home improvements during their first year of homeownership and in- a terest write-offs for first-time car buyers. Crisci's initiative also includes enhancing educa- cepts but also expose students to trades and municipal careers. Candelora's Following the opening re- marks, each candidate had separate opportunities to an- swer questions regarding the unfriendliness toward Con- necticut businesses, the strug- housing, and, most notably, the gles of Main Street, workforce rising cost of electricity. While incumbents (D) Christine Co- hen, (D) Moira Rader, and John Michael Parker focused heavily on education, schools, and the environment, House Representative commentary delved deeper into the economic concerns of small businesses and majority leader- ship decisions while defending the Republican stance on these subjects. District 12 State Sen- ate candidate Paul Crisci found himself, once again, two years later, in a position to challenge the status quo by asking about the root of the problem: "$2.8 billion in Covid relief funding to Connecticut. With that in mind, I have one question: how is it that we needed to burden those who were unable to pay during the pandemic, yet we are spending money across the state on projects that have noth- ing to do with Covid relief?" Unlike many of the other can- didates, Crisci described him- self as being redundant by re- plying to each question with, "As a state, Connecticut has the legalization of gambling generated tax revenue through and cannabis while collecting some of the highest property tax rates in the nation, includ- ing the significant tax burden on automotive vehicles." Crisci asked, "Again, I ask: with all the collection of unfairly high this new revenue, coupled with property taxes, how did we not pass a budget this year? Why are we seeing our young adults unable to make ends meet in Connecticut?" It wasn't until Senator Cohen offered what she believed to be a message of hope, telling the audience that Connecticut's fu- ture is one of opportunity due to the availability of over nine- ty thousand jobs in the state. the taxpayers with a moratori- um fee on their electric bill for CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 PAUL CRISCI For State Senate District 12 Still No Politics. Just Common Sense. PCforCT.com Paid for by Paul for Senate, Mann Hason, Treasurer. Approved by Paul Criscl OVO PAID ADVERTISEMENT Shoreline Chamber Candidate Forum Offers Some While residents of District 12 familiarize themselves with early voting for the first time , and with less than two weeks until Election Day ( November 5th ) , candidates are making their final rounds to ensure no stone is left unturned while courting voters . One organiza- tion that attracts a great deal of attention is the New Hav- en Shoreline Chamber , which organizes candidates in the district each year to address selected concerns and issues surrounding the business com- munity . This election season features some familiar faces , including elected officials and second - time candidates from 2022 . Some may remember that in 2022 , the Shoreline was not to be denied as they took their forum to a Zoom conference meeting in the name of social distancing . During that time , incumbents such as State Mi- nority Leader and State Rep- resentative Vincent Candelora , State Senator Christine Cohen ( challenged by Rep . Paul Cris- ci ) , State Representative John Michael Parker of the 101st District ( challenged by John Rasimas ) , and State Repre- sentative Robin Comey of the 102nd District ( challenged by Rep . Ray Ingraham ) were all present . During the forum , can- didates had 90 seconds to an- swer questions and comment on issues ranging from Con- necticut's financial health to small business regulations . A major issue during the 2022 forum was the recovery of small Connecticut businesses after Debate Moments the pandemic . Each candidate Now , in 2024 , the environ- responded similarly , acknowl- ment has noticeably changed edging the need for collabora- from two years prior , with a tion to help small businesses live forum hosting eight can- return to where they were . An- didates and approximately one other question that provided hundred spectators preparing an interesting twist was when for the 2024 forum . Unlike in each candidate was asked for most years , this election is of- their thoughts on the future of fering many of the same chal- the Greater New Haven area . lengers to the incumbents , most While each candidate provided notably Ingraham and Crisci in a positive outlook , emphasiz- their same races . Newcomer ing the opportunities presented Lisa Deane ( R ) , best known for by the shoreline and cityscape , her efforts with the nonprof- tion from fourth grade and up one candidate had a different it Demand Zero , is replacing to teach not only business con- " I perspective . " I want everyone to close their eyes for a minute and imagine if Yale New Haven Medical Facility and Yale Uni- versity no longer existed . What would the Greater New Hav- en area have to offer , let alone the state of Connecticut ? " This statement came from Paul Crisci , who was , at the time , a first - time challenger for the District 12 State Senate seat . Crisci continued his thoughts to the somewhat solemn group of candidates by explaining , am not being negative . I am be- ing a realist . The state of Con- necticut has lost an enormous number of big businesses , and the list keeps growing , " refer- ring to notable companies such as Aetna Insurance and General Electric . Crisci warned that if we don't pay attention to these losses - not only in corporate tax revenue but also in terms of the impact on employed taxpayers we could find our selves in a deficit while over burdening our residents . At the time , Crisci was criticized for his concerns and ultimately lost a respectable race to incumbent Christine Cohen . John Rasimas . Each candidate was given the opportunity a week prior to review the ques- tions and prepare their thoughts and ideas . As in the past , cach candidate was allotted sixty seconds for an introduction and then ninety seconds for every question thereafter . As the candidates offered their thanks to the committee for their efforts , each had a mo- ment to propose what legis lation they would advocate if ( re ) elected . Many expressed their concerns about afford ability and stated they would look to improve measures . Paul Crisci presented an interesting twist by detailing his vision for " Project 18-29 and Beyond , " measure that , if passed , would offer business incentives to hire Connecticut - based individuals between the ages of 18 and 29 , with provisions extending up to 34 years of age . Young adults in this age range would also benefit from " no tax " on home improvements during their first year of homeownership and in- a terest write - offs for first - time car buyers . Crisci's initiative also includes enhancing educa- cepts but also expose students to trades and municipal careers . Candelora's Following the opening re- marks , each candidate had separate opportunities to an- swer questions regarding the unfriendliness toward Con- necticut businesses , the strug- housing , and , most notably , the gles of Main Street , workforce rising cost of electricity . While incumbents ( D ) Christine Co- hen , ( D ) Moira Rader , and John Michael Parker focused heavily on education , schools , and the environment , House Representative commentary delved deeper into the economic concerns of small businesses and majority leader- ship decisions while defending the Republican stance on these subjects . District 12 State Sen- ate candidate Paul Crisci found himself , once again , two years later , in a position to challenge the status quo by asking about the root of the problem : " $ 2.8 billion in Covid relief funding to Connecticut . With that in mind , I have one question : how is it that we needed to burden those who were unable to pay during the pandemic , yet we are spending money across the state on projects that have noth- ing to do with Covid relief ? " Unlike many of the other can- didates , Crisci described him- self as being redundant by re- plying to each question with , " As a state , Connecticut has the legalization of gambling generated tax revenue through and cannabis while collecting some of the highest property tax rates in the nation , includ- ing the significant tax burden on automotive vehicles . " Crisci asked , " Again , I ask : with all the collection of unfairly high this new revenue , coupled with property taxes , how did we not pass a budget this year ? Why are we seeing our young adults unable to make ends meet in Connecticut ? " It wasn't until Senator Cohen offered what she believed to be a message of hope , telling the audience that Connecticut's fu- ture is one of opportunity due to the availability of over nine- ty thousand jobs in the state . the taxpayers with a moratori- um fee on their electric bill for CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 PAUL CRISCI For State Senate District 12 Still No Politics . Just Common Sense . PCforCT.com Paid for by Paul for Senate , Mann Hason , Treasurer . Approved by Paul Criscl OVO