To The Editor:

Mitch Bolinsky and I apparently agree on something important: Connecticut’s Education Cost Sharing formula has failed to keep pace with the actual cost of educating our children, leaving our property taxes to shoulder too much of the burden.

That was the point of my original letter, and I’m glad we agree on the problem.

I was disappointed, however, that rather than discussing different approaches to solving it, Mr. Bolinsky questioned my integrity, suggesting that I had stolen my thoughts either from him or AI. Nothing could be further from the truth. My concerns about state education funding are neither new nor borrowed. In 2017, I testified before the Connecticut General Assembly about this very issue, warning that inadequate state education funding would leave Newtown facing difficult choices between higher local taxes and cuts to services. I also wrote in the Danbury News Times, critical of the state’s move toward shifting educational funding obligations to the municipalities.

So, if we agree on the problem, the question for Newtown voters is not who first said it. The question is what has been accomplished.

Representative Bolinsky points to legislation he proposed to increase ECS funding. I appreciate that he recognizes the problem and has introduced a bill. Here is where Representative Bolinsky and I differ, though. I believe effective representation requires more than identifying problems and submitting legislation. It requires building relationships, coalitions, and the support necessary to get other legislators to co-sponsor the bill and turn good ideas into results. Newtown voters can decide which approach they believe will be more effective in Hartford.

On November 3, I’m asking for your vote. You can read more about my ideas at kuisforyou.com.

Michelle Embree Ku

Newtown