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Incumbent Republican Kupchick is seeking re-election against Democratic challenger Coyner to represent Fairfield’s District 132 in the State House of Representatives. They met, along with other state candidates, at a candidate forum at the Pequot Library hosted by the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, where they discussed how government can improve the state’s economy.
Kupchick, who runs a small heating and air conditioning business, said more small business owners are needed among the politicians in Hartford.
“You’re actually quite amazed. People who never ran a business are trying to make decisions that affect your business,” she said. “That’s why I decided to run, because I thought that small businesses needed a voice in that legislature.”
She said that higher taxes, such as a 20 percent corporate tax surcharge and unemployment taxes, have hurt businesses, and that they need to be addressed to create jobs in the state.
Coyner said that investment in the state’s transportation infrastructure is crucial to helping the state’s economy. He said that while repairs to Connecticut’s roads and bridges would be expensive and require bonding, they would also create economic opportunities. Another major problem is the large number of young people who move away after they receive college degrees, he said.
“We need to bring them home and give them a reason to return to Connecticut with their university degrees. If I’m elected, I’m going to propose a new state student loan program that would have forgiveness in it,” Coyner said.
He said that a loan for students who get degrees in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math) with forgiveness for the first five years would give graduates an incentive to stay in the state.
Kupchick said that programs such as the Live Here Learn Here program, which allows graduates to deposit money toward their first home, are useful. But the problem, she said, is that graduates have problems finding jobs.
“We need to encourage, through tax incentives and a reduced regulatory environment, more of these bigger companies to stay here,” Kupchick said, “so young people stay firmly planted in the state of Connecticut.”
Coyner said that through renewable energy programs, the state can address energy costs and the lack of jobs for young people.
“Here in Connecticut we can be producers. I don’t mean in terms of net output of electricity, I mean in terms of equipment,” Coyner said. He said through investment in STEM technologies and initiatives, “we can be a leader in production and export.”
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