To The Editor:

Newtown needs legislators who understand that Hartford decisions shape both local budgets and daily life. This November, vote for Michelle Embree Ku, the Democrat for the 106th House District, and Rob Blanchard, the Democrat for the 28th Senate District.

The first issue is affordability. This spring’s town and school budget debate exposed the difficulty of limiting taxes while protecting the services residents rely on. The combined budget proposal that voters rejected would have raised the mill rate by 2.79 percent. Newtown spoke when they passed a lower budget with a 1.96% mill rate increase. State policies add to these pressures, affecting health-insurance premiums, energy costs, child care, education aid, and property taxes. Blanchard’s focus on lowering housing, health-care, and child-care costs while supporting strong schools and local communities fits Newtown’s needs.

Housing is the related second issue. Newtown must offer seniors the chance to remain here, and young adults and working families a realistic chance to settle here. Growth, however, must respect the town’s character, infrastructure, environmental limits, and local planning authority. Embree Ku has called for housing policies shaped by Newtown’s actual capacity rather than one-size-fits-all mandates. Affordability and stewardship need not be in conflict; responsible representation demands both.

Finally, Newtown needs legislators who recognize that quality of life depends on partnership between state and town: excellent schools, accessible mental-health support, safer roads, and action on worsening traffic. Ku’s work on the Board of Education, Board of Selectmen, and Legislative Council gives her firsthand knowledge of these concerns. Blanchard’s municipal leadership and commitment to strong communities add a valuable regional perspective.

Neither candidate claims that these challenges have easy answers. Both offer Newtown what it needs: representatives ready to listen, collaborate, and deliver. I urge voters to elect Michelle Embree Ku and Rob Blanchard on November 3.

Ed Randall

Newtown