By Brianna Gurciullo, Staff Writer
August 6, 2024
STAMFORD — Incumbent Anabel Figueroa and party-endorsed candidate Jonathan Jacobson are going head-to-head in a Democratic primary election in the state House’s 148th District.
Figueroa, who has represented the district since she won a special election last year, lost the endorsement of the Stamford Democratic City Committee to Jacobson in May. She gathered signatures from Democratic voters in the 148th District to trigger a primary.
The district stretches from Glenbrook to the Cove in southeastern Stamford. Both candidates are also members of the city’s Board of Representatives.
READ MORE: Connecticut primary election 2024 voter guide.
The Stamford Advocate sent the below questions to the candidates. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Anabel Figueroa
What are some specific steps you believe the General Assembly could take that would help those struggling with the cost of living in Stamford?
I believe that the state should continue helping municipalities offer more housing options, especially for people of modest means, which can stem the out-migration of younger age cohorts who cannot afford to establish their own households. Millennials are entering their prime earning years and are forming new households at a fast rate, so it should be in the best interest of the state to keep them in Connecticut, close to their families, and to enable them to contribute to Connecticut’s competitiveness and economic vitality now and in the near future.
Also increasing economic diversity of options in housing could promote more equity and fairness in how we pay and deliver public services.
Additionally, municipalities like Stamford should be given more money to offset some of the property tax burden, which is also driving up the cost of housing, including rentals.
What do you believe the state’s role should be when it comes to development and the building of housing on the local level?
Here in Stamford, we are in a unique position because being so close to New York, demand for housing is high, which means prices are and continue to be high.
This is a very attractive environment for real estate developers but makes living in Stamford extremely difficult to afford. How we use our land is one of the most important and impactful decisions the government makes, which is why the best land decisions are made by listening to and engaging with the people directly.
I believe the state should incentivize affordable housing and help facilitate its development. However, the final decisions on land use should be made locally with as much constituent input as possible.
Additionally, the state should help municipalities aid working families who are struggling to afford Stamford’s skyrocketing housing costs. This would allow for more diversity and equity in the Stamford community.
Stamford has one charter school, and two more are looking to open in the city. Do you support the opening of more charter schools? Why or why not?
I have a nuanced position regarding charter schools. I could support a few charter schools as urban laboratories to experiment with new methodologies. These models could be used to help improve our public schools in localities where student achievements are low.
Families in under-performing districts are desperate for better options. Improvements are not happening fast enough, and children’s education cannot wait.
I do not support the proliferation of charter schools as an alternate system to public schools. Charter schools have unfortunately resisted evaluations and accountability. Many in the leadership of the charter school movement have been critical rather than supportive of our public schools. I also have concerns about the creaming of our best students while encouraging English-limited, special needs and poor students to stay in their local public schools.
Jonathan Jacobson
What are some specific steps you believe the General Assembly could take that would help those struggling with the cost of living in Stamford?
First, I will push for increased support for affordable housing initiatives and affordable childcare programs. This includes ensuring the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Childcare report are implemented to ease financial pressures on families. Second, I support expanding tax credits for low- and middle-income families and imposing a cap on the amount of rent landlords can raise on existing tenants. Additionally, I will work to lower prescription drug costs, improve access to healthcare by expanding public health programs and implement measures to lower utility costs.
As a member of the Board of Representatives, I have consistently voted to bring more affordable housing to Stamford, while also implementing policies that promote economic stability and affordability. My record, and ongoing commitment to finding innovative solutions that improve the quality of life for our residents, is one of the reasons I earned the endorsement of the Democratic Party and our mayor.
What do you believe the state’s role should be when it comes to development and the building of housing on the local level?
With the recent formation of the Municipal Redevelopment Authority, we have an opportunity to partner with the state on infrastructure investment. Gov. Lamont has made clear that investment in our local communities is both essential and a priority, and I support that initiative. There are hundreds of millions of dollars in the state’s capital budget for investment in local communities for infrastructure improvements, including for the construction of housing.
Accessing this funding requires two things: 1. Partnerships at the local and state level, and 2. State elected officials intent on bringing that money to Stamford. We have seen the benefit of the Stamford delegation’s work on this front in the millions of dollars they’ve secured for our city. As a state representative, I will partner with my colleagues and the mayor to fully access this funding to build the housing we need to improve affordability and ease our housing shortage.
Stamford has one charter school, and two more are looking to open in the city. Do you support the opening of more charter schools? Why or why not?
I have spoken to thousands of residents in the district, and education is among their top priorities and mine as well. Unlike my opponent, I have a proven record demonstrating my commitment to ensure that our schools are both safe and well-funded.
For example, I led the effort to legalize automated speed cameras in front of our school buildings in order to protect our students, teachers and faculty from unsafe drivers. My opponent did not support that initiative.
Further, I voted against cutting $2 million from the Stamford Board of Education’s fiscal year 2022-23 budget. My opponent voted for that measure, depriving our students and teachers of much needed funding.
As a state representative, I will continue to prioritize investment in local education, including early learning programs, to ensure that every student has access to high-quality resources and opportunities for a brighter future.
Aug 6, 2024
Brianna Gurciullo
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