Tom Marsh 2010

April 26, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Katherine Holt
Marsh 2010
Tel: (860) 526-2003
email: tom@marsh2010.com
www.marsh2010.com

Tom Marsh Announces Candidacy for Governor on Independent Party Ticket

Chester, Connecticut — April 26, 2010 — Tom Marsh today announced his candidacy for governor of the State of Connecticut. He will be running on the Independent Party of Connecticut ticket. His announcement was made at 4:30 p.m. on the steps of the Chester Meeting House, 4 Liberty Street, Chester. Marsh, Chester’s First Selectman, had previously formed an Exploratory Committee to consider a run for the State’s highest office.

The Independent Party, with the third largest statewide registration, focuses on non-partisan, problem-solving governance; promotes responsible and sustainable governmental policies; and is committed to fight corruption and promote ballot access for citizens who want to be public servants.

Information on Tom Marsh can be found at www.marsh2010.com. Information on the Independent Party of Connecticut can be found at independentpartyct.blogspot.com.

The text of Marsh's speech follows.

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On January 14th, after much careful consideration, my wife Kathy and I drove to Hartford and submitted the paperwork necessary to form an Exploratory Committee for statewide office. As a result of that exploration, I am proud to announce my Independent Party candidacy for the office of Governor.

The question I have been asked most often has been why would I want to run for governor in such challenging times. The answer: I believe we each have a responsibility for our governance and I believe that I bring the perspective, vision, and leadership required to guide the state to prosperity.

The role of the governor is to provide vision and leadership, using the limited tools of the office. Vision and leadership are not learned in the short term. They are not found in polling data or consultants' white papers. Vision and leadership come from experience. We need solutions that address the concerns of everyday people.

As a successful municipal leader and small business owner I am unique among the long list of candidates. I see and live the day-to-day challenges Connecticut residents and businesses face. I understand what we must do in order to formulate and successfully implement solutions to our problems. Hartford has shelves full of studies that espouse solutions to problems past and present. What Hartford has lacked is the perspective and leadership to bring solutions to the streets of Connecticut. I have that perspective. Connecticut is full of good people with excellent, practical ideas that offer real life solutions to business, social and fiscal matters. I understand the need to incorporate such people in an advisory network that goes beyond any single political affiliation or ideology. I will seek them out, not only for their ideas but for their partnership in bringing the ideas to life.

My message is unique; my position is clear. Our times demand good governance and good governance requires accountability.

Is government broken? Some say it is, broke and broken the line goes. Our state government is mired in a dysfunctional gridlock, debating issues such as keno, frog dissection and Sunday liquor sales while our fiscal ship sinks. But at the local level municipal governments are making the tough decisions, budgets are being honestly balanced, tax policy is being openly debated, and the decisions that directly affect the day-to-day lives of municipal residents are openly aired.

This success story, this accountability, cannot be ignored! I will bring accountability to Hartford. I will take full advantage of the bully pulpit to keep the constituency informed of the collective and individual actions of the legislature. I will provide access to, and seek the counsel of, municipal leaders in gaining a full understanding of the consequences of legislative and budgetary decisions. I will stay grounded with the public and not lose touch with the values that bring me to office.

Every candidate speaks of bringing jobs to Connecticut, cutting bureaucracy, reducing costs, but specifics are never offered. Let me say first, I don’t have all the answers to overcome a multi-billion dollar deficit, but I am willing to listen to and incorporate ideas from all sides. Details on my positions can be found on my website but here are a few specifics I will consider and for which I will work openly with all necessary parties:

Jobs

We will not have job growth unless we have an employer-friendly State - that's a reality. It is also a reality that Connecticut is losing employers. I will work with business, the legislature, commissions and municipalities to make Connecticut a State that employers want to be in - not through sweetheart deals, but through an aggressive pro-jobs tone at the top and systemic reform to our regulation. We will pro-actively work with our employers to keep them in Connecticut. The time to address the concerns of companies like UTC is not when they announce that they are leaving CT, it is while they are still an active employer in the State.

Taxation

We need a more effective and efficient tax structure. That means leaving more money in the hand of the municipalities where greater accountability exists and where services can be provided more directly, while addressing our overdependence on the property tax. We need to examine our sales and income tax structure. To say our current structure is the best we can do is absurd. To build on our convoluted system of rates, exemptions and deductions is equally so. We must bring integrity back to state taxes and fees by directing user fees to their original purpose. And, finally, we need to evaluate the effectiveness of each tax and fee and eliminate those that generate negligible revenue. Two hundred of the approximately 300 state revenue sources bring in a combined $38 million, but cost more than that to administer and enforce.

Deficit

The state deficit is daunting and will require commitment from everyone to solve. We got to this point together, we will get out together. My administration will develop priorities for the right size of state government, set an honest cost to provide that government and work backward from that number. No one segment of the population or state service will be singled out to bear the burden, but there will be no sacred cows that will be beyond review. Our solutions will be based on increasing efficiency in both state operations and revenue generation.

WHY THE INDEPENDENT PARTY

I believe we are in a process of a political "evolution". I have spent the better part of three months participating in a two-party process that is intended to vet contenders in the various political races. The process requires consideration of party philosophy over practical solutions in order to attract delegate support. Middle ground is off limits in the current system. Party rhetoric, however, will not solve the problems of our state or our nation. When one considers that unaffiliated voters, the largest block of the Connecticut electorate, are excluded from the candidate selection process, it becomes clear that it is almost impossible to produce candidates who represent the views of 60% of the electorate, just because they do not share a partisan political philosophy.

In my gut I believe the moment is at hand for a new direction in politics and I believe that the Independent Party is well positioned to offer an alternative. Over the last month I have come to understand and appreciate the values of the Independent Party; their commitment to good government through good people, and strong ideas; their drive to demand honesty and integrity from elected officials, and their commitment to protecting the democratic process.

We are at a defining moment, a moment that presents a rare opportunity. We must, as a state, provide an honest assessment of ourselves, who we are, what is important to us and how we intend to govern ourselves. My candidacy is fueled by the values and concerns of everyday people like you and I. I don’t have paid staff consultants writing my positions and telling me what to think, or pollsters providing the rudder to my message. In many ways consultants and experts got us into this mess. I have sought, and continue to seek, guidance from individuals with hands-on experience and a desire to improve our system.

The Independent Party will offer the residents of Connecticut an opportunity to get involved in their governance in an entirely new way; to give our citizens a less partisan and more balanced voice at the Capital; to make a real difference in designing a fresh approach to government. I encourage you to join in our effort, and I enthusiastically ask for your support.

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