This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
10/14/2022 09:30 AMTwo-term incumbent Democrat Christine Cohen is seeking her third term as a State Senator for the 12th District. She’s also been endorsed by Independent and Connecticut Working Families Party. On Tuesday, Nov. 8, Cohen will be challenged by Republican candidate Paul Crisci.
In Hartford, Cohen is currently serving as the Senate Chair of the Environment Committee, Vice-Chair of the Commerce Committee, as well as a voting member on Aging, Children, Finance, and the Revenue & Bonding committees.
According to Cohen, she focused her public policy energies on protecting Connecticut’s environment, preventing gun violence, making Connecticut healthier, and strengthening the state’s economy. Cohen said her work in Hartford during her two terms led to the enacting of several new laws, including a ban single-use plastic bags, a ban on the production of untraceable “ghost guns,” and raising the smoking and vaping age to 21.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past four years, but there is still more work to be done. We are still trying to find our footing after a very trying couple of years. We’ve had a very successful pandemic response here in Connecticut and a terrific few years from a financial standpoint,” Cohen said. “Having a maxed out rainy day fund and enacting the largest tax cuts in recent history and some major investments in long-term liabilities are efforts that we are proud of, but it has not gone unnoticed that we still have a long way to go. So, I want to help Connecticut and my district stay on this path to recovery.”
Cohen also said that reducing business taxes, expanding workforce development training, instituting a paid family and medical leave system, and allowing for the planting of hemp on Connecticut cropland, are examples of why constituents should cast their vote for her in November.
Cohen and her husband Rob also run a small business in Madison, which the Senator said provides unique insight into what economic drivers work best for Connecticut businesses and the challenges facing owners are currently navigating.
“Business is obviously the backbone of our economy, and as Vice-Chair of the Commerce Committee and a small business owner myself, I feel we’ve been able to make some in-roads on cutting red tape and burdensome costs, but we can certainly do more. I want to continue to work on lowering the cost of healthcare for families and small business owners,” said Cohen. “I experienced first hand the rising costs of healthcare, which is unsustainable. I am in the restaurant business, and we were able to continue operating on a limited basis during the height of the pandemic, but many businesses were completely shuttered. And recognizing what it takes, as a business owner, to stay afloat in what is, quite frankly, devastating times is challenging. I do think that gives me unique perspective and allows me insight into how best to help small businesses and get rid of burdensome laws and to also provide that perspective to some of my colleagues, as well.”
Cohen stressed that tackling the individual personal issues of constituents is extremely important to her, and the ability to effect change at a grassroots level is a factor that, she said, will continue to be a priority.
“I’m proud of all the work I’ve taken part in over the last four years. My biggest accomplishments, those that I hold nearest and dearest to my heart, are probably ones that were directly influenced by my constituents. I’m in this position because the people of the district asked me to represent them, and to be their voice. So, when I get a phone call or an email and we can find a solution or turn that into a law, that is a wonderful thing,” Cohen said. “Most recently, working with women who have had family experience with mental illness, we brought law enforcement to the table and found a need for crisis intervention training and funding for the same. We were able to secure additional dollars to provide police department training for their men and women. I also worked with some advocates who live on a lake in the district, and we were able to pass a law in the district that took effect Oct. 1 regarding the notification of pesticide applications on lakes and ponds. I love my job of service, and those are the accomplishments that make me most proud.”
Cohen said that women’s reproductive rights will continue to be a focus of her campaign and future work in the General Assembly should she win re-election.
“I want to continue to do all I can to protect reproductive health care. We need to continue the work we’ve done so well together as a community and take the voices we’ve heard from the district and fight for an even better Connecticut,” said Cohen.
“Saving and ensuring reproductive freedom is obviously a huge priority of mine and something that I feel very strongly about. I feel that this issue is important for all of the residents of our district and our state. A woman’s right to choose is being threatened, and I and my colleagues in Hartford will ensure that Connecticut will remain a safe place and protect women’s reproductive rights. I’ve been sitting in the Senate circle now for four years, and we’ve had several bills come through that would protect reproductive healthcare even before the Dobbs decision and the overturning of Roe. During this time I have also witnessed several bills and amendments coming through, particularly from members of the Republican Party, which diminish our rights and that really want to roll back many of the protections we have in Connecticut. It’s not part of our Connecticut Constitution, and when it’s not part of our Constitution, there are new laws that can be created and changes that can be made. So, I want to do everything we can in Connecticut to protect our right as females to reproductive healthcare. I’ve witnessed too many bills put forward that would diminish those rights.”
Cohen also cited her goal to continue working on environmental matters and also economic issues including bringing down the State’s long-term debt and providing quality and affordable healthcare. As a former Board of Education member and mother of three, improvements in education are a critical priority as well, according to Cohen.
Cohen’s re-election site can be found at senatorcohenct.com