June 14, 2018: The Shoreline Green Party, a chapter of the Green Party of Connecticut, announces the candidacy of Colin Souney for State Representative in the 86th District, comprising the town of North Branford and parts of North Guilford, Durham, and Wallingford.

Colin Souney is a long time Guilford resident and 1993 Guilford High School graduate who has worked in the area for over two decades in a variety of vocations including construction, welding and machining, and operating his own business.

Says Souney, "I will be a common sense voice for the people, not an entrenched, 'bought and sold' politician."

He is not afraid to call out what he sees as the failures of the two-party system.

"Here in Connecticut, we are plagued by endless bickering of entrenched politicians over insensible taxations and ideas that yield the 'least worst' decisions. Past policy has depleted the state's budget and sent it into alarming debt." In one of the wealthiest states in the country, Connecticut allows its top-earners to pay less than their fair share, and he would push for a moderate increase in state taxes on the wealthiest one percent.

Unlike political insiders, Mr. Souney is willing to think outside the box. To address Connecticut's budget deficit, Mr. Souney advocates the legalization, regulation, and taxation of marijuana. Estimates have shown that this could add anywhere from $50 Million to $100 Million to the State's general fund annually. Mr. Souney has appeared and spoken before the state legislature and often been quoted in the press on this issue.

Another focus of his is ensuring health care for all. Specifically, he focuses on improving our Mental Health systems, and ensuring adequate funding for services to individuals and their families and communities. He feels strongly that access, preventative treatment and services within the mental health care system in our state, as well as the nation, is in need of serious attention.

Mr. Souney is well aware of what the working person in his region is tasked with on a daily basis. He knows that the current Connecticut minimum wage of $10.10 per hour is well below what it takes to support oneself in our state and impossible to support an adult with a child. He advocates for an efficient but gradual increase in the minimum wage to $15 hour that, if done properly, will safeguard small businesses.

As a small business owner, Mr. Souney wants to ensure the economic health of our communities. He sees the destruction created by companies like Amazon and Ebay, which are constantly undercutting the local retail industry. He will work to ensure they are adequately taxed, and that subsidies, tax breaks, and other incentives are available for small business.

Colin Souney runs on the Green Party ticket because he feels that the common person in Connecticut isn't getting a fair shake. He has the experience needed to make him the best person to represent the 86th　District and, as he puts it, "to fight for you!"

The Shoreline Green Party chapter comprises Shoreline towns from North Branford to East Lyme, and the lower Connecticut River Valley towns of Chester, Deep River and Essex.　More information can be found at http://shorelinegreenparty.org/