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10/19/2022 08:30 AMRepublican John Rasimas is running for election to the 101st State Representative seat. Rasimas will challenge two-term Democratic incumbent John-Michael Parker on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Rasimas was Auditor for the General Assembly for the State for his entire professional career. Currently, he is a certified public account (CPA), and an adjunct professor instructing students in advanced and non-profit accounting and auditing at Southern Connecticut State University.
The fiscal experience from working closely with the General Assembly on both sides of the political aisle, was a driving factor is his decision to seek office and provides a unique skill set for the office, according to Rasimas.
“I spent 38 years as Auditors of Public Accounts. We worked for the General Assembly. I rose to the ranks of Deputy State Auditor and actually ran the office for six years. We are basically the eyes and ears of the legislature. So, we do the financial statements audits; we do the compliance audits; we do the agency audits…and our responsibility was to report the facts. We provide the opinion much in the way a CPA would audit and provide opinions for a Fortune 500 company. The State of Connecticut is a $24 billion a year industry and operation, and I think we did fantastic work. But ultimately it is up to the administration to follow up on those reports and address findings. Quite honestly, what we found is that over half our recommendations and findings were not being addressed by State agencies. So, I want to be on the other side of the coin and be able to do something about that. And this touches on some relevant campaign issues…and I think having that background would help me introduce legislation, and explain it, educate my fellow colleagues up in Hartford as to why I believe certain legislation should be considered. I think having that background provides me with…a very well-rounded experience to bring to Hartford. You have work across the aisle to get anything done and I plan to do that. Having this background, being able to delve into budgets, is something unique that I can bring to the office.”
According to the candidate, the State’s fiscal health is far more dire than what is currently being promoted in Hartford, and he said that addressing that issue would be a top priority for him should he win the seat.
“We are $68 billion in debt. But if you turn on Channel 3 you’ll hear we are in surplus, but that is budgetary accounting and it’s really not a fair presentation of where the state stands financially. It scares me that we are that far in debt. I think we have to go to some form of zero-based budget, where we really delve into state agencies and where they spend their money, and find out what their priorities are. We simply have a budget that is not sustainable. We have a substantial long-term debt in this state that does not get talked about. Budgetarily-wise we are in surplus, but that doesn’t negate the fact that we have all of these long-term debts. We are about $100 billion in debt and have about $32 billion in assets…so we are $68 billion in debt. And, to be fair, this is not Ned Lamont’s fault. This has gone on for three or four decades across both parties…and the long-term repercussions of this are extreme. So, I plan to address that.”
Another issue that is close to the candidate is juvenile justice reform, which has become a hot-button topic in recent months. This issue is personal for Rasimas — he and his wife, Kathy, were seriously injured by a hit and run juvenile offender last year while on their motorcycle.
His wife lost her leg in the incident and both were lucky to even survive, according to Rasimas. That incident and the ensuing legal morass the couple endured was a key factor in making his decision to run, according to Rasimas.
“It is a challenge still for my wife. She is still struggling both physically and mentally. Quite honestly, it was life changing, and we became aware of the juvenile justice system as a result of this and it is just not working,” Rasimas said. “The current bill that just passed is very watered down, and I don’t think it will do much. We need to have to have a system in place that makes kids think twice about doing these things. There has be some level of accountability, and I just don’t think the consequences are there now to make this a reality. I’m not advocating we throw these kids in jail and throw away the key. We need to have diversionary programs and community service. But what we are doing now is basically nothing, and doing nothing is not working. There have to be consequences, and what those consequences are…I would listen to the professionals. I know enough in my years to say that when I don’t know the right thing to do, it’s time to bring in the professionals.”
Other issues that Rasimas said he wants to focus on is the lack of educational aid being returned to Madison from Hartford, ensuring more local control for municipalities. He also reiterated his commitment to addressing the fentanyl crisis that remains a serious health issue facing Connecticut.