With Permission
Lonnie Reed will seek a fifth term as Branford’s 102nd District state representative, she announced today. Reed, a popular legislator and the Democratic incumbent, is House chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, a member of the powerful Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee, and has been instrumental in bringing bio-tech businesses to Branford.
The 102nd District covers Branford except for Stony Creek and Pine Orchard, which state Rep. Sean Scanlon of Guilford represents. He announced his candidacy for a second term earlier this month, saying he wanted to work on gaining public financing before the session begins. Ted Kennedy, Jr., the 12th District’s state senator, is expected to seek a second term in office, but has not yet announced his candidacy.
As she has in the past, Reed will be seeking public financing for her 2016 campaign. This morning she filed the paperwork for her candidacy, doing so before the legislative session opens early in February. To obtain public financing, she needs to raise a threshold amount of $5,000 in small-dollar contributions, anywhere between $5 and $100. Once that goal is achieved, a candidate secures $25,000 in public financing.
“Serving in the state House of Representatives is a privilege I take very seriously,” Reed said in a prepared statement. “Day after day, people from all over my district call me to ask for help with an issue or agency or to share their opinions and perspectives. I am dedicated to being the best possible champion for our Branford citizens, and I welcome hearing ideas from my constituents on everything from the budget and economic development to healthcare, education and transportation infrastructure.”
Reed Outlines Goals
In the last session, Reed was one of only 11 Democrats to vote against the state budget. “Getting our fiscal house in order must be a top priority then and now,” she said.
“It is imperative that we as legislators understand the delicate balance between meeting the critical needs of our citizens and ensuring our ability to pay for those services and grow our economy.” I voted against the budget as presented last year because I felt it had not found that balance.”
She told the Eagle in an interview that she will seek a “rational budget” this session. Among her legislative priorities for this session, which is a short one that ends in May, she will seek to lower energy prices and to deal with Branford’s needs, especially the need to help obtain state funds for the costs of a renovated and expanded Walsh Intermediate School.
In her years as chair of the energy committee, Reed has pressed to make energy cleaner for the environment and more affordable for the ratepayer.
“From preserving Long Island Sound to promoting renewable energy such as solar and wind to protecting the electric ratepayer from supplier gimmicks, I’ve worked hard to implement sound energy and environmental policy for our residents,” she said. Reed helped write and led the House debate last session for the new law banning the sale of variable rate contracts to residential consumers, many of whom suddenly received electric bills three times higher than expected. Since the ban’s passage, complaints have dropped dramatically.
New Solar Energy Laws
Recently featured in the Hartford Business Journal for her accomplishments in renewable energies, Reed sponsored two landmark bills that create more solar energy opportunity for everyone. The Solar Home Renewable Energy Credit (SHREC) provides incentives for 40,000 homes to use solar power. The Community Solar Act fast tracks pilot programs allowing neighbors to share solar facilities, saving consumer dollars and opening up solar power to apartments, condominiums and homeowners who can afford to install solar only if they partner with neighbors.
“We must move full-steam ahead on renewable forms of energy, for both environmental and fiscal reasons,” said Reed. “Fossil fuels contribute to dirty air and climate change. Our efforts to conserve more energy and promote renewables make our state a leader in the kind of responsible energy deployment that also attracts and nourishes greater economic development.”
A longtime advocate for Long Island Sound, Reed is co-chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, a group of Shoreline legislators dedicated to protecting the natural beauty and sustainability of Long Island Sound. She joined forces with scientific, commercial, and recreational stakeholders to develop a Blue Plan for Long Island Sound designed to map the Sound’s assets and vulnerabilities, providing legislators with the tools necessary to preserve the multi-billion dollar natural resource.
“In the end, what matters most to me is the quality of life of the residents I represent,” she said, adding “Branford’s thriving commercial sector, excellent school system, beautiful shoreline, social services and other public assets have been my focus and are what drive me to be the loudest voice I can be for our community.”
###
Lonnie is GREAT! She has been a leader in many important areas