CT Patch Candidate Profile: Owen T. Weaver For State Senator In 14th District

MILFORD, CT — On Nov. 3, residents cast their votes for several key federal and state positions, including the office of governor, Congress, state representative and state senate.

There are 151 seats in the state House of Representatives and 36 in the state Senate. Democrats currently hold majorities in both chambers.

Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Owen T. Weaver is running for state Senate in the 14th District.

Candidate's Name:

Owen T. Weaver

What office are you seeking?

State Senate 14th District

Age:

42

District:

14th District - Milford, Orange, West Haven and Woodbridge

Party:

Republican

Campaign website:

https://www.owforsenate.com

Occupation:

Attorney

Family:

Wife, Christine, and three boys ages 9, 7 and 4

Does anyone in your family work in government?

No

Previous public office:

Alternate Member on the Montville (NJ) Zoning Board of Adjustment

Why are you seeking this office?

Why am I running is a question I hear often while knocking on doors. I had not planned to seek office, but earlier this year several people encouraged me to run. As I spoke with family, friends, and trusted community members, I heard the same concerns: Connecticut is too expensive, property taxes keep rising while services decline, energy and gas costs are climbing, schools are struggling, and residents feel ignored. My own family feels these pressures, and my work as the Orange Town Attorney has shown me how state mandates strain local budgets, hinder police departments, and erode local control over zoning. I decided to run because Connecticut is heading in the wrong direction and the issues facing our district are not being properly addressed. We need balanced representation in Hartford, fiscal discipline, and we must restore local control over zoning, education, and policing.

What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?

Connecticut is too expensive. We have the third highest taxes in the nation, third highest electricity prices in the country, the fourth most costly tax system and healthcare premiums are rapidly increasing. My plan to make Connecticut more affordable includes:

1. Prioritizing property tax relief by eliminating many of the 1,400 unfunded state mandates, which drives up municipal costs, and enacting a property tax cap that is tied to the greater of the rate of inflation or 2%.

2. Eliminating the public benefit charge from our electricity bills. State expenditures should be debated as part of the state budget and not a hidden tax on the ratepayers.

3. Eliminating the tax on social security benefits and enacting a child tax credit so our seniors and working families can keep more of their earnings.

4. Codify an automatic gas tax holiday whenever the price of gasoline exceeds a certain cost per gallon. This would immediately save everyone $0.25 per gallon.

5. Increase the district’s share of statewide municipal aid and education funding. Unfortunately, the 14th State Senate District ranks towards the bottom in statewide funding. This return is insufficient to meet our needs and is a reason why our towns are always increasing property taxes.

Energy costs have been soaring in Connecticut. What are your plans to help address this issue?

Connecticut residents face the third highest electricity bills in the nation and increasing costs to heat our homes. I support an all-of-the-above approach to our energy crisis. We need to expand natural gas and nuclear energy, as well prompt solar and wind in locations suitable for that type of energy production. I support eliminating the public benefit charge from our electricity bills. State expenditures should be debated as part of the state budget and not a hidden tax on the ratepayers.

Affordability has been a major topic across the country and here in Connecticut. How do you plan to address this issue?

Connecticut is too expensive. We have the third highest taxes in the nation, third highest electricity prices in the country, the fourth most costly tax system and healthcare premiums are rapidly increasing. My plan to make Connecticut more affordable includes:

1. Prioritizing property tax relief by eliminating many of the 1,400 unfunded state mandates, which drives up municipal costs, and enacting a property tax cap that is tied to the greater of the rate of inflation or 2%.

2. Eliminating the public benefit charge from our electricity bills. State expenditures should be debated as part of the state budget and not a hidden tax on the ratepayers.

3. Eliminating the tax on social security benefits and enacting a child tax credit so our seniors and working families can keep more of their earnings.

4. Codify an automatic gas tax holiday whenever the price of gasoline exceeds a certain cost per gallon. This would immediately save everyone $0.25 per gallon.

5. Increase the district’s share of statewide municipal aid and education funding. Unfortunately, the 14th State Senate District ranks towards the bottom in statewide funding. This return is insufficient to meet our needs and is a reason why our towns are always increasing property taxes.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My experience as a law partner and municipal attorney—including my service as Orange Town Attorney—has prepared me to serve effectively as a State Senator. I work with the law every day, advising small businesses and individuals on matters involving state law. As counsel to municipalities, I advise boards and commissions on a wide variety of state law issues, including zoning and law enforcement. I also draft legislation and policies and collaborate with elected and appointed officials from both parties. This experience has given me the practical legal knowledge, sound judgment, and bipartisan approach needed to represent our district in the State Senate.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

As a born and raised resident of Orange, with extended family in Milford, the current Orange Town Attorney, a board member of several local non-profits, including the Amity Chamber of Commerce, and a father and husband who is raising three boys in the town that I grew up in, I care deeply about the communities that make up with the 14th Senate District. If elected your next State Senator, I will be steadfast in making sure that I am accessible to all residents and that I represent the interests of the district. That is my promise to you.