PAID ADVERTISEMENT Candidate Forum Offers Some Debate Moments CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 When given the opportunity to speak, Crisci acknowl- edged Senator Cohen's com- ments by asking. "If Con- necticut is doing so well and unemployment is at an all-time low, then I will ask one question: why is no one taking the opportunity to ap- ply for these jobs?" Crisci, answering his own question, stated, "Because Connecti- cut is not affordable." He then presented data from his binder: "Daniel College of Business ranks Connecticut 50th out of 50 states for fi- nancial tax burden on resi- dents, surpassing New Jer- sey with an average burden of $44,300, almost $2,000 higher. CNBC reports for 2024 that Connecticut ranks 32nd out of 50 states for business rankings. U.S. News ranks Connecticut 49th for fiscal stability and 47th for business opportuni- ty. Please, someone tell me where we are doing well. We have an issue with spending, taxing, and wasting resourc- es in the state of Connecti- cut, and if we don't fix this, we are going to see more businesses leave our state, as well as young people plant- ing their roots somewhere else and unfortunately nev- er coming back. This is not an easy fix, but if we don't acknowledge that every project, including those re- lated to the environment and PAUL CRISCI For State Senate * District 12 Still No Politics. Just Common Sense. affordable housing, stems from fiscal responsibility in Connecticut, we will never accomplish the goals that ev- cryone at this table wants to achieve." Crisci punctuated his statement by reiterating his solution: "This is why I believe my initiative, Proj- ect 18-29 and Beyond, can be the beginning of building a foundation in Connecticut and creating opportunities for young families to contin- ue their lives and even pos- sibly open their own small businesses." As the night drew to a close, each candidate was asked one more time what they would like voters to know about them. Each candidate took a moment to offer their vision and ideas one last time, with notable mentions including Lisa Dean, who promised to eradicate the il- legal distribution of fentanyl in our state, and John Mi- chael Parker, who reiterated his vision for education and affordability. One lightheart ed moment came during can didate Crisci's statement when he answered the final question, stating, "What I would like voters to know is that I have a wish: a wish that the tribalism between parties ends in our local elections. Each person up here is work- ing hard to serve the public, and we should all be judged on our ability to get the job done on residents behalf." PCforCT.com Crisci continued. "Senator Cohen is not my adversary; she is my opponent. I do not hate her, and I would never condone anyone, including myself, attacking her busi- ness or her family. That is not okay." Crisci's closing sentence drew laughter, even from his opponent, when he stated, "For God's sakes, my neighbors all have Cohen signs, as if I don't know who they're voting for." As a reminder, early vot- ing begins October 21st and continues through Novem- ber 5th. Please check your local voting district for exact times and locations. Paid for by Paul for Senate, Mann Hasen, Treasurer. Approved by Paul Crisci. PAID ADVERTISEMENT Candidate Forum Offers Some Debate Moments CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 When given the opportunity to speak , Crisci acknowl- edged Senator Cohen's com- ments by asking . " If Con- necticut is doing so well and unemployment is at an all - time low , then I will ask one question : why is no one taking the opportunity to ap- ply for these jobs ? " Crisci , answering his own question , stated , " Because Connecti- cut is not affordable . " He then presented data from his binder : " Daniel College of Business ranks Connecticut 50th out of 50 states for fi- nancial tax burden on resi- dents , surpassing New Jer- sey with an average burden of $ 44,300 , almost $ 2,000 higher . CNBC reports for 2024 that Connecticut ranks 32nd out of 50 states for business rankings . U.S. News ranks Connecticut 49th for fiscal stability and 47th for business opportuni- ty . Please , someone tell me where we are doing well . We have an issue with spending , taxing , and wasting resourc- es in the state of Connecti- cut , and if we don't fix this , we are going to see more businesses leave our state , as well as young people plant- ing their roots somewhere else and unfortunately nev- er coming back . This is not an easy fix , but if we don't acknowledge that every project , including those re- lated to the environment and PAUL CRISCI For State Senate * District 12 Still No Politics . Just Common Sense . affordable housing , stems from fiscal responsibility in Connecticut , we will never accomplish the goals that ev- cryone at this table wants to achieve . " Crisci punctuated his statement by reiterating his solution : " This is why I believe my initiative , Proj- ect 18-29 and Beyond , can be the beginning of building a foundation in Connecticut and creating opportunities for young families to contin- ue their lives and even pos- sibly open their own small businesses . " As the night drew to a close , each candidate was asked one more time what they would like voters to know about them . Each candidate took a moment to offer their vision and ideas one last time , with notable mentions including Lisa Dean , who promised to eradicate the il- legal distribution of fentanyl in our state , and John Mi- chael Parker , who reiterated his vision for education and affordability . One lightheart ed moment came during can didate Crisci's statement when he answered the final question , stating , " What I would like voters to know is that I have a wish : a wish that the tribalism between parties ends in our local elections . Each person up here is work- ing hard to serve the public , and we should all be judged on our ability to get the job done on residents behalf . " PCforCT.com Crisci continued . " Senator Cohen is not my adversary ; she is my opponent . I do not hate her , and I would never condone anyone , including myself , attacking her busi- ness or her family . That is not okay . " Crisci's closing sentence drew laughter , even from his opponent , when he stated , " For God's sakes , my neighbors all have Cohen signs , as if I don't know who they're voting for . " As a reminder , early vot- ing begins October 21st and continues through Novem- ber 5th . Please check your local voting district for exact times and locations . Paid for by Paul for Senate , Mann Hasen , Treasurer . Approved by Paul Crisci .