State Sen. Henri Martin, the incumbent Republican from the 31st district, which includes Bristol and Plainville, has announced his intention to seek a second term.
Martin, a former Bristol city councilor, told the Bristol Republican Town Committee on Wednesday night that he was running again because “I want to help put the state back on a path of prosperity.”
“Two years ago while running in my first state senate campaign,” said Martin, “I heard it loud and clear. I believed the constituents of the 31st District ‘got it.’ ‘Connecticut was going into the wrong direction’ and needed to change its course.”
Two years since he took the seat, succeeding Jason Welch, Martin said the state of the state has not improved, “Connecticut business owners, employees, property owners and taxpayers read how the media publications like Forbes Magazine, Wall St Journal placed the state last or near last on many economic/job growth lists. Unfortunately, today things haven’t changed.”
“I believe, we should have been working on policies to stop residents and businesses from leaving or making plans to leave our state for friendlier climates. We should have been working on policies that would make structural changes to harness long term deficits, and we would have beenworking on policies that would have encouraged small and large businesses, entrepreneurs, working people and college students to work and live in Connecticut,” the Republican said.
“But,” Martin continued, “that didn’t happen. The outcome of a one party rule environment in Hartford resulted in the adoption of the second largest tax increase in the state’s history only to be followed by a special session in December to fix a $350 million deficit.”
“The impact of the Democratic Majority party policies and taxes will make it more difficult to improve economic growth and job creation in Connecticut. In essence taking us into the same weak, lackluster economic direction,” said Martin, whose Democratic opponent has yet to step forward.
“In order to grow the economy, first and foremost, there ought to be ‘no more taxes,’” said Martin. “Better yet, lower taxes. Second, we need to reduce government spending. Additionally, we need to be fiscally disciplined and resist budget gimmicks such as diverting specialized funds into the general fund. And finally, let’s stop frustrating and burdening our municipalities and businesses by eliminating onerous regulations and mandates.”
Martin told the GOP, “By simply listening to the state taxpayers and job creators and acting on their point of view, ideas and concerns their confidence level will rise. Rising confidence will lead to investment, long-term capital improvement in equipment and building expansion, and job growth.”
Martin told the party faithful, emphasizing the importance of bipartisanship in the General Assembly, “The problems of the state are not insurmountable, but they are serious and need serious effort to overcome. Our economic and social problems were not created overnight and will not be fixed overnight. They will take the efforts of all parties to build a new strategy to change direction.”
Henri Martin