State Senate District 5
Together, the House of Representatives and the Senate constitute the Connecticut General Assembly (CGA). The General Assembly enacts legislation dealing with state appropriations and finance, public welfare, the environment, public works, housing, education, civil and criminal laws, and other matters. The Senate tries all impeachments of executive and judicial branch officials. In Connecticut, members of the state’s legislative body, the General Assembly, must be at least eighteen years old and reside in the district they represent. Senate and House members serve two-year terms. Candidates were asked to respond to questions developed by local Leagues of Women Voters (LWV). Candidates enter their replies directly into Vote411, and replies are not edited by the LWV.This is the link to the CGA website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/This is the link to Sample Ballots for each Town found on the Secretary of State website: https://portal.ct.gov/sots/election-services/town-ballots
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Derek Slap
(Dem)
Please provide your background and qualifications and tell the voters why you are the best candidate for this office. (Character limit: 750)
How do you think the state should approach health‑insurance affordability in the coming years in the face of decreased Federal funding? (Character limit: 750)
What things, if any, would you change about the property tax code and the ways CT funds education and town services? (Character limit: 750)
What is your position on the use of Flock cameras and the regulations recently passed in the legislature? (Character limit: 750)
What is your number one priority if you are elected? (Character limit: 750)
Candidate Name
Derek Slap
Campaign Email
derekmslap@gmail.com
Campaign Phone
8605199672
I've been in the General Assembly since 2017, serving one term in the House and four terms in the state. My professional experience, as a journalist, chief of staff for the Senate Democrats, and now executive at a behavioral health non-profit helps inform my approach to public service. I believe that being a good listener is critical and that means that I respond to every email and phone call personally. Everyone deserves to be heard. As chair of the higher education committee, I am focused on making college accessible and affordable for all students. I'm proud of my role in expanding debt free community college and increasing scholarships for CT students. I also believe we must continue our efforts to make CT more affordable.
Cuts to Medicaid threaten our social safety net and will harm thousands of families - especially children. We must raise Medicaid rates for providers to ensure low-income families have access to care. At the same time, small businesses and non-profits are hurt by rising premiums and the refusal of Congress and the Trump Administration to address this crisis. States are forced to act - and it only makes sense for us to explore ways to lower costs. One option is for state government to create a pool for small businesses, municipalities and non-profits to join. Ultimately, we need a federal solution, which could start with expansion of Medicare.
The property tax is the tax I hear most about from constituents. Our current system places too much of a burden on local residents to fund school and services. Older folks on fixed incomes are especially squeezed. A fairer system would be to have the state pay more; special education is good place to start. Recent increases to education funding from the state have helped but we must do more. I have also introduced bills to allow towns to keep part of the existing restaurant tax revenue. This would send millions back to towns and help towns hold the line on property tax increases.
I understand and appreciate concerns from folks who worry about abuses, invasion of privacy, and overall government over-reach. Recent reforms that went into effect in October are important, but we must pursue additional guardrails when session resumes next year.
Strengthening our economy to make it fairer, more dynamic and affordable for all residents. We can do this by making smart investments (higher education, transportation, housing, and public safety), reforming our tax code (implementing a child tax credit and eliminating the state income tax on social security), and mitigating the property tax burden for families through increased state investment in our towns. We must also continue to stand up against the Trump Administration when it unfairly and unlawfully targets CT by cutting federal grants and support.
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