Ryan Fazio

Where Fazio stands

Grouped by topic by Vote Book; headings and quoted words are the candidate’s own, with the source under each one. “As reported” items are a news outlet’s description, not an exact quote.

Education

EDUCATION FUNDING & ACCESS

After eight years of Governor Lamont, our children cannot afford another four years of the status quo. Connecticut has one of the most highly educated adult populations in the country and ranks among the nation’s highest-spending states on public education, yet our reading achievement has fallen and our math …

Energy & environment

cut Energy Costs

Connecticut has the second-highest electricity rates in the continental United States. Ryan Fazio has a real plan to cut electricity bills by 20% — by ending hidden taxes, expanding reliable supply, and removing the mandates driving up costs.

What specific policies would you support to address concerns about the impact of data centers on communities? (1,000 characters)

Data centers should not be allowed to shift their costs onto Connecticut families, small businesses, taxpayers, or ratepayers. Connecticut already has some of the highest energy costs in the country, and we cannot allow massive new facilities to place additional strain on our electric grid. Gov. Lamont signed legislation providing property tax exemptions to massive data centers, leaving taxpayers and ratepayers to shoulder more of the costs while these facilities receive special treatment. As Governor, I will ensure data centers pay their fair share of the costs they create and eliminate Lamont’s giveaways to them. I will also protect local input. Communities deserve a meaningful voice when projects are proposed in their towns, so I will support local representation in the state’s data center siting process. Any economic benefits must not come at the expense of Connecticut residents.

What can Connecticut do to mitigate the effects of climate change? (1,000 characters)

Connecticut’s natural environment, from our coastline and rivers to our forests and farmland, is one of the reasons people are proud to call this state home. Protecting it should go hand in hand with making Connecticut more affordable. We should preserve open space and farmland while maintaining local control over land-use and zoning decisions. I also support investing in public transportation, including rail and infrastructure improvements that reduce congestion and emissions. Connecticut is uniquely positioned between New York and Boston, and better transportation can connect residents to jobs and help people access the state’s tourism destinations without relying solely on cars. We should pursue practical, cost-effective policies that protect our environment, improve transportation, and strengthen our economy—without imposing more mandates and higher costs on Connecticut families.

Crime & public safety

Crime

Homicides, car thefts, and other serious crimes rose to unacceptable levels under the Lamont administration. Ryan’s plan reforms the 2020 anti-police legislation, closes parole loopholes for violent offenders, and reinstates proactive policing to keep our communities safe.

Please explain your position on the use of “flock” cameras and the data they collect. (1,000 characters)

I voted against the legislation authorizing the expanded use of Flock cameras, and I remain concerned about their impact on privacy and civil liberties. Public safety matters, and law enforcement needs effective tools to investigate crime, but we should not sacrifice the privacy of law-abiding Connecticut residents without strong safeguards. Flock’s system collects and stores sensitive information about where vehicles travel, creating a massive database that could be misused or compromised. The company has also acknowledged data breaches, raising additional questions about data security. Connecticut should prioritize proven law enforcement strategies, adequate staffing, and policies that directly address crime rather than relying on technology that creates new privacy risks.

Taxes & spending

THE FAZIO TAX PLAN

Ryan Fazio’s plan would reduce state income-tax rates, providing more than $2.5 billion in annual tax relief when fully implemented. For a typical middle-class family, the plan will mean thousands of dollars staying in their own pockets rather than being sent to Hartford.

cap property Taxes

Connecticut ranks as the third-highest taxed state in the nation, and residents and businesses are relocating elsewhere. Ryan’s plan would lower income taxes for every Connecticut family by $1,500 and implement property tax caps. He holds a 100% rating from the CBIA for pro-economic-growth voting and would restore the …

Do you believe that Connecticut’s tax system is fair? Please explain your answer. (1,000 characters)

No, Connecticut’s tax system is not fair. Connecticut’s taxes are the third highest in the country, and Gov. Lamont has made it even worse. He raised taxes on food, increased taxes on online purchases, and raised taxes on your paychecks, among other increases. When you add up all the increases and decreases in taxes over his term, Lamont has increased taxes by more than $400 million per year. More of the same won’t cut it. As Governor, I will deliver the largest tax cut in state history: a 2 percentage point reduction in personal income taxes and more than $2,500 in annual relief for the average family in our state. I will also fight to eliminate waste, reduce costly mandates, grow our economy, and make sure Connecticut lives within its means. As with all my plans, I encourage you to visit ryanfazio.com/issues to see how I will provide relief and pay for it as well. Our campaign will provide specifics in a way that no other gubernatorial campaign in the country will.

Housing

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY & LOCAL CONTROL

Ryan Fazio has a three-pronged approach to housing that reduces the cost of housing, allows Connecticut to grow its housing supply, and protects local control of zoning and decision-making. For eight years, Gov. Lamont has allowed Hartford bureaucrats and big developers to make decisions for municipalities over local …

What measures would you suggest to increase the amount of affordable housing in our state? (1,000 characters)

Connecticut needs more affordable housing, but we must be honest about what drives costs. This is not simply a supply problem. High taxes, state mandates, regulatory burdens, and Connecticut’s enormous debt make it more expensive to build, buy, and own a home. I oppose expanding 8-30g because it allows developers to bypass local zoning and strips communities of meaningful input. I would also repeal HB 8002, which expands state control over local zoning and imposes additional mandates on municipalities. Ned Lamont supports 8-30g and signed HB 8002 into law, giving large developers more power to build without local input. That is wrong. We should reduce construction costs by eliminating unnecessary regulations and unfunded mandates while creating incentives for communities that voluntarily expand housing in ways that fit their needs and character. Lowering taxes and the overall cost of living will also make homeownership more attainable for Connecticut families.

Background & priorities

Please provide your background and qualifications and tell the voters why you are the best candidate for this office. (800 characters)

I was born and raised in Connecticut, attended Greenwich public schools, and returned home after earning a degree in economics from Northwestern University to build a life here. I spent most of my career in energy and agriculture trading and logistics, then invested in and advised small businesses. For over a decade, I’ve volunteered in inner-city schools and delivered meals through Meals on Wheels. In the State Senate, I’ve worked across the aisle to lower electricity costs, protect local control, grow our economy, and hold government accountable. I co-authored and passed seven bipartisan laws, including measures expanding birth control access, strengthening utility oversight, and increasing local control. I’m running for Governor to make Connecticut a place where families can afford.