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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Candidate Name
Tim Knotts
Campaign Website
timknottsforsenate.com
Campaign Email
tim@timknottsforsenate.com
Campaign Phone
8604786430
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589485261288
I am a father of four, an educator, and an attorney with management experience. I deal with real-life problems every day and I know the struggles that our towns have with the rising costs and taxes in Connecticut. I know how to assess issues, pursue reasonable solutions, and make economic choices that are realistic and effective. I am running because the approach that our legislature has taken for the last thirty years has resulted in a state where grandparents cannot live in homes they have owned for thirty years, our energy costs are out of control, and our legislators spend taxpayer money like it is Monopoly money. With my history of litigation management I will bring a watchdog's eye to our taxpayer funds and demand accountability.
While there are federal changes, our state laws have done a lot to drive the rising costs of health insurance. In the past legislative session, I sat through debate on bills that mandate everything from coverage of specific treatments to medical devices for every Connecticut resident, whether those medical services are needed or not. Instead of allowing companies and groups to negotiate their own coverage, every person paying premiums in the whole state are now paying for those decisions. We need to take a hard look at the kinds of mandates that benefit a few at the cost of all. We also need to look at how shifting the costs for hospitals from those receiving treatment to the public has driven all medical rates up and find better solutions.
The state should be responsible for funding what it mandates. Because Connecticut requires certain services, like bussing, IEPs, and school meals, those requirements should be paid for by the state. The funding formula should be adjusted to reflect the services and students. General education costs should be the responsibility of the town. Much like the revelation of the public assistance charges on our utility bills, our towns should provide taxpayers with the extent to which state requirements inflate their property tax and vehicle tax bills, and provide a breakdown of school spending costs that are associated with state mandates.
Vast surveillance of public spaces is not inherently bad, but the potential for misuse by the government or private bad actors generally outweigh the law enforcement benefits. Because data cannot be kept secure from hackers or government employees with bad motives, the technology exceeds the scope of what is reasonably expected by the public and should not be used as a general matter. Specific locations or limited usage at particular times where crime is more likely may be within the scope of reasonable law enforcement tools.
Ensuring that Connecticut's government works for its people. Right now, our state government thinks that it has all the answers and the majority party is set of doing its will instead of the will of the people. As a constituent, I found my representatives either unavailable or unwilling to change their minds when presented with evidence and arguments contrary to their own positions. We are citizens, not subjects, and our legislators must be responsive to the people they represent and not to a party or an organization that tells them how to vote. Good government begins with knowing that it is the people that are being served, and it is the people that have the power. Returning power to the people and respectful dialogue is most important.
