Driving force for candidacy

I am running for State Treasurer because I want my three young children to want – and be able – to live in Connecticut when they grow up.

We have serious economic challenges and I want to help a Republican Governor stop the spending and borrowing that has led to record deficits. As State Treasurer, I can bring my professional and government experience to help erase the red ink and help get Connecticut’s fiscal house in order.

The state pension fund is underfunded at 65 percent where normal funding levels are close to 80 percent. In addition, the investment returns on the fund are not keeping up with demand or with the general average of other state funds.  Recently, the national rating agencies downgraded Connecticut’s bond rating, potentially making borrowing more expensive in the future.

Recent reports suggest the state unfunded pension liabilities and unfunded health care pension liabilities could top $40 billion.

We cannot keep using the Treasury as a credit card without limits. We need to close the state’s purse tight, stop the endless borrowing and start to rebuild our assets so our unfunded obligations do not further erode our state’s ability to be competitive.