This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
10/27/2014 12:00 AMName: Devin Carney
Race: 23rd House
Party: Republican
Occupation: Small Businessman
Age: 30
Town: Old Saybrook
Are you an incumbent? No
Official campaign phone number: 860-388-7612
Official campaign email: carneyfor23@gmail.com
Family: Mother - Debra, Father - Paul, Sister - Shaine
Education: Graduated Old Saybrook High School in 2002, BA from Brandeis University in 2006
Civic Involvement: Lector at Grace Episcopal Church, The Kate (on the board for their annual Oscar night fundraiser), Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries, Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, ASPCA, Habitat for Humanity, Career Beginnings, Gladeview
Elected/appointed offices held: First time running for public office. I believe we could use a fresh perspective in Hartford.
Other government service: Served on various campaigns (statewide and local) including Carl Fortuna's landslide victory in 2011 and in charge of the 2nd District for a statewide election. Taught government to New Britain high schoolers. Substitute taught for schools in the district.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
Hartford is full of career politicians and partisanship and I believe things must change and it's time for my generation to step up and be part of the solution. My life/work experience is quite substantial for my age and that has provided me the ability to relate and empathize with folks across the district. I, like many, have a home-based business and student loan debt, while facing a poor economy in Connecticut. Relevance is important in any position, and the office of the State Representative is no different. Too often I hear about people graduating from college, unable to move back to Connecticut due to the lack of opportunity, and many of those who do, end up working at low-paying jobs while attempting to pay off debt. As you know, 49% of people would leave if they could and Connecticut has the 2nd worst rate of retention for people aged 25-34, a critical group in building the economy for the future. My hope is to change this by working to promote job growth, reduce waste, make it easier to do business in Connecticut, alleviate costs on seniors, and allow families the affordability to grow. I will not allow party politics, or Hartford, to dictate how I vote. There is too much one-party rule; a diverse chorus of voices is necessary to pass the best legislation. I have proposed monthly sessions in each town across the district to understand how I can be the most effective voice for the people. I will use social media and technology to interact with the constituents as frequently as possible. In addition, I have a passion for public service. I have been involved in various volunteer organizations such as Grace Episcopal Church, OS Chamber of Commerce, Shoreline Soup Kitchens/Pantries, and the ASPCA.
Connecticut's economic recovery is lagging behind many other states. What are the causes and what remedies will you support or propose?The main issue is the fact that Connecticut keeps losing businesses and people to other states (most often Florida) because of our tax structure and, for business, over-regulation. So much so, that nearly 300,000 more people have left than moved in over the past 20 years (not to mention, CT has the 2nd worst retention rate of folks aged 25-34 since 1990).
The majority party passed a $1.8 billion tax hike, the largest in Connecticut history, to generate enough to help balance the budget. But, it failed to do much of anything - a shift of around $6 billion of Medicaid went off-budget and we still have billions of unfunded pension debt. In fact, our debt and pension liabilities are a higher portion of our GDP than any other state in the nation. Governor Malloy saw it fit to provide corporate welfare to businesses and pick winners and losers - that's not how businesses thrive. Government has grown under Malloy and the majority party and the state is, by far, the largest employer in the state. Meanwhile, our income tax rates rose for many, there was a 20% surtax on our corporate tax, gas taxes rose, sales taxes rose, estate tax kicked in sooner, and property taxes rose.
We must get control of our spending, lower taxes, and make the business climate attractive for all. I would propose spending no more than absolutely necessary and borrowing only what we can afford to pay back - just like most Connecticut families. I would propose shifting to defined contribution for all state employees (to stop adding to our debt), a reduction of taxes on business, a reduction or elimination of taxes on pensions and social security, a lockbox on the special transportation fund, and a roll-back of the sales tax.
If a bill came before the General Assembly to repeal or amend the gun control law passed last session after the school shootings in Newtown, would you vote to amend the law? If so, what would you want to change?I would vote to amend the law in order to bring in additional mental health resources and lower the burden on law-abiding gun owners. Connecticut is one of only six states that does not have outpatient commitment laws in the United States. I would advocate furthering the discussion on this with the hopes of implementation. Studies have proven that assisted outpatient treatment reduces homelessness, violence, incarceration, and caregiver (often familial) stress. I don't think it is a negative to have the community, and especially the family, more involved in the treatment of someone who is mentally ill. Identifying and intervening among adolescents with mental health issues is another strong way to identify potential future problems. This is a very tough issue that requires a lot of discussion and we didn't have it when the bill was passed. There was too much emphasis on the gun control aspect of the bill. SB 1160 was too strict when it came to how it affected law-abiding gun owners. I believe, in the very least, the deadlines should have been extended and there should not have been arbitrary numbers implemented for magazine capacity without public discussion. Magazines do not have serial numbers and a registry for them is an overextension of power and resources. Overall, it causes fear for many people, who have never done anything wrong, that they are a threat. Some previously law-abiding citizens could be charged with a misdemeanor or, in some cases, a Class D felony for not registering. I believe this abridges too much on Constitutional rights. Should the possibility for amendment come up, I would advocate for a public discussion, prior to the legislative vote, involving mental health experts, local gun manufacturers/owners, and law enforcement to determine what is/isn't workable and fair.