The Round Hill Association’s annual candidates’ forum on October 8 drew a packed audience, underscoring the community’s interest in state legislative contests. Candidates for Connecticut’s 149th House and 36th Senate Districts engaged in a lively exchange on local governance, infrastructure, and energy policy. The event featured incumbent State Representative Rachel Khanna and challenger Tina Courpas in the House race, as well as incumbent State Senator Ryan Fazio and challenger Nick Simmons for the Senate seat. Moderated by Round Hill Association President Brendan D. Simone, the debate gave candidates an opportunity to emphasize their records and articulate visions for addressing key issues in the district.
Tina Courpas, the Republican challenger for the 149th House District, opened by highlighting her extensive background in law, finance, and public advocacy. “I’ve spent over 20 years working in finance and law, and I’ve led efforts to advocate for the rights of Connecticut’s women and girls,” said Courpas, referencing her tenure as head of a bipartisan women’s advocacy group in the state. She framed her campaign as a response to a potential Democratic supermajority in the legislature, which she argued would threaten balanced governance. “This election is about restoring balance,” she declare.
Courpas took aim at Khanna’s record on zoning legislation, specifically citing her support for the “Live, Work, Ride” bill, which incentivized transit-oriented development around public transportation hubs. “This was a bill that eroded local control, allowing as-of-right developments near train and bus stations across the state,” she asserted. Courpas proposed reforming the controversial 8-30g affordable housing statute to better credit towns like Greenwich for existing affordable housing options. “We need incentives at the local level, not mandates that override community input,” she said, advocating for policies that would recognize housing diversity, such as accessory dwelling units and housing provided by private institutions. “People who live here know what their communities need; we don’t need Hartford telling us what to do.
Rachel Khanna, the Democratic incumbent representing the 149th House District, defended her record, pointing to the substantial funding she helped secure for local projects. “We brought nearly $100 million back to Greenwich and Stamford for projects like the Glenville Corridor improvements and school renovations,” she stated. Khanna emphasized her commitment to fiscal responsibility, noting that the state budget included the largest income tax cut in Connecticut’s history and nearly $8 billion in pension debt repayments. “We’re making historic investments while also paying down our debt,” she said. “That’s real progress for our state.”
Khanna also addressed concerns about local zoning, clarifying that she has consistently supported measures to keep decision-making within the community. She highlighted her votes against the Fair Share Bill and her efforts to secure credits for the town’s 8-30g affordable housing moratorium. “Local leaders know best about the town’s needs on density and infrastructure,” she said, pointing to her endorsement by the Connecticut Realtors as evidence of her commitment to preserving community decision-making. “I stood up to my own party when it was necessary to protect local control.”
State Senator Ryan Fazio emphasized his ongoing efforts to reduce electricity costs, bolster local zoning rights, and advance bipartisan legislation. “Electric bills are too damn high,” Fazio declared, noting that Connecticut’s rates rank among the highest in the nation. He discussed his six-point plan to alleviate energy costs, which includes proposals to diversify energy sources, remove hidden charges from electric bills, and appoint pro-consumer members to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). “We need to spread these costs more evenly and avoid the burden falling disproportionately on residents,” he said, adding that the “public benefits” charge on bills was “a hidden tax funding roughly 40 different government programs” instead of going through the regular budget process.
Fazio’s statements echoed his recent remarks at an energy summit with Governor Ned Lamont. “We’ve got to be proactive, not reactive, on energy,” he had said at the summit, where he also outlined measures to stabilize electricity prices and encourage sustainable energy development. During the debate, he reiterated, “If we don’t appoint the right people to PURA and enact consumer- friendly policies, these rates will continue to climb.”
On the issue of local control, Fazio detailed his efforts to defeat the “Live, Work, Ride” legislation. “In the final week of the session, I threatened a filibuster to block the bill because it would have forced towns to allow multi-unit developments without local approval,” he explained. Fazio credited his efforts with contributing to the passage of Senate Bill 333, which restored some zoning rights to municipalities after they had been restricted under previous legislation. “I’m committed to ensuring that decisions affecting our communities remain with local leaders who understand the unique needs of their towns,” he said. “We don’t need a one-size-fits-all approach imposed on us by Hartford.
Nick Simmons, the Democratic challenger for the 36th Senate District, presented his background in education and public services foundation for his campaign. “I’ve been a middle school principal, and I’ve worked in state government to allocate hundreds of millions of dollars toward public education,” Simmons noted, describing his time as a deputy chief of staff to Governor Lamont. He framed his candidacy as a call for common-sense policies and bipartisan cooperation, citing his endorsement by the Independent Party as a marker of his moderate stance. “This isn’t about left versus right; it’s about doing what’s best for our district,” he said
On infrastructure, Simmons criticized the current state of the region’s roads and railways, calling for a greater focus on securing funding for local transportation projects. “We have the highest percentage of commuters in Connecticut, yet we get a fraction of the Department of Transportation’s resources,” he argued. “It’s time for that to change.” Simmons pledged to prioritize improvements to Metro-North and I-95, noting that the recent $100 million allocation for local infrastructure came after efforts by Democratic legislators in the area. “Our leaders worked together to deliver that funding, and I will continue to fight for the resources we need,” he promised.
On the discussion of energy policy, we have updated this article from the original. Please see Ryan Fazio’s and Nick Simmons’ exact answers from our transcript of the debate on energy at the bottom of this article as an addendum.
On affordable housing, Courpas and Fazio aligned in their support for local control. “Any law that empowers a developer to come into a town and build without input is flawed,” Courpas argued, noting the importance of community involvement in planning. Fazio echoed this sentiment, stating, “I’ve fought against state overreach because local leaders know their communities best. We need reforms that respect that.” Simmons acknowledged the challenges posed by state mandates but suggested a cooperative approach in which towns partner with the state for development plans rather than being forced to comply with blanket regulations. Khanna defended her record by citing recent legislation she supported that granted towns more leeway under 8-30g. “I’ve always advocated for a balanced approach that respects local decisions while addressing the need for more affordable housing,” she said.
The question posed to the candidates was about their stance on the proposed sale of Aquarion to the Regional Water Authority. Fazio answered the question saying he opposed the sale, citing concerns that it could lead to a 50% increase in water rates based on analysis from the Office of Consumer Counsel. He argued that there was insufficient transparency surrounding the proposal. Simmons discussed the need for increased water inspections and investments to address contaminants such as PFAS.
The candidates’ closing statements reinforced their key messages. Courpas emphasized the need for new leadership to restore balance in the legislature. “Connecticut needs a course correction, and we need leaders who aren’t afraid to stand up for their communities,” she said. Khanna pointed to her accomplishments in securing state funds and maintaining fiscal discipline. “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, and I’m committed to continuing the work to support local priorities,” she state.
Simmons reiterated his call for investment in education and infrastructure, stressing that he would bring a practical approach to Hartford. “Our town deserves leaders who fight for what matters most — schools, roads, and sensible policies that reflect our values,” he argued. Fazio closed with a defense of his record, citing his legislative achievements and ongoing advocacy for local control. “Some people want the title of senator; I just want to do the job,” he declared. “I’ve worked across the aisle to protect this district, and I’ll continue to fight for you.”
From the Round Hill Community Forum transcript on Energy posted October 14, 2024, 1:55pm:
Question:
“Electricity bills have risen significantly since the summer, in part due to the new portion of our bill going towards a public benefit. Can you clarify what the public benefit portion of the bill is, and do you support it? What initiatives would you propose to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy use, alternative technologies, and long-term sustainability?”
Ryan Fazio:
“Electric bills are too damn high. We’re the third highest in the country after Hawaii, which is an island, and after California, which has lost its mind. State policies bear responsibility for those inflated costs.
First and foremost, the public benefits charges embedded in our electric bill equate to a hidden tax funding roughly 40 different government programs, adding up to about $500 to $700 million a year. That should normally go through the budgetary process and be voted upon every two years, competing against other sources of government funding.
I co-authored the plan two years ago to remove those public benefits from our electric bills. I co-authored the six-point plan that has now been signed on by 64 other legislators—making it the most widely supported energy proposal to cut energy costs in the entire state of Connecticut. I’ve been trying to build support for it across the aisle as well.
I’m also appreciative of the endorsement of parts of my energy plan from my opponent. You can go to my Twitter account where I just retweeted the analysis showing that he copied and pasted two of the sections of my energy proposal. I am very appreciative of your support, Nick, for my energy proposal. I do not require the correct citation—I just want to see good ideas gain support and finally reduce energy costs on the public in this state.”
Nick Simmons:
“On electricity, on plagiarism—well, Ryan, it’s called public policy for a reason. The ideas that you recommended and put forth are very, very common ideas that have been put forth by energy experts for decades. ‘All of the above’ was Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign energy strategy. So I don’t think you have a monopoly on these pretty basic ideas, and I’m glad that we agree on a lot of them, because they are going to bring down our electric rates—more competition, not overpaying market rates, making the grid more sustainable and reliable.”
