One of Connecticut's most immediate and important challenges is enacting an affordable, balanced and sustainable budget. Derek is committed to working across party lines to identify additional spending cuts and make government more efficient wherever possible. Connecticut's fiscal health also depends on creating a stronger economy - one that generates more revenue from high-quality jobs. Workforce development, investments in transportation and higher education must play a role. West Hartford, Avon, and Farmington enjoy wonderful public schools and it's critical - as tough budget decisions are made in Hartford - that they're not unfairly targeted. Our children deserve a quality education that provides them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. Derek also believes public school teachers must be embraced by policy makers as partners in the effort to strengthen and protect our schools. The wage gap between men and women isn't only unfair, it's bad for working families, the economy and Connecticut's overall competitiveness - Massachusetts just passed a landmark pay equity bill in 2016. Derek supports pay equity legislation that will protect employees and prospective employees from gender-based discrimination in wages and compensation. He believes common sense solutions are achievable and looks forward to working with both parties on this initiative. Derek wants to improve transparency and accountability at the Metropolitan District Commission. There are a number of proposals that would accomplish this and he's committed to working collaboratively to move them forward. Details include: adding a non-voting member to the MDC board of directors in the form of a consumer advocate, requiring the MDC to disclose detailed information about applications for land use, zoning, wetlands and tax abatement before it holds a hearing or acts on the request. Derek would also like to see drought protections written into law so bottled water companies cannot continue to pump water from reservoirs during a drought while families are asked to conserve. Derek also looks forward to sponsoring and/or supporting legislation that creates a small business hotline to help them better navigate state bureaucracy; builds a task force to assess and improve the workforce development system, and makes Connecticut more affordable for seniors by exempting social security income from the state personal income tax.
