Rep. Chris Murphy Addresses a Variety of Hot Topics at Bethel's Town Hall Meeting

The economy, healthcare and bipartisanship were only a few of the subjects Rep. Chris Murphy (D, CT-5) discussed with about 40 of his constituents at a Bethel town hall meeting on Monday night. 

Introduced as one of the "hardest working congressmen" he knew by First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker, Murphy first highlighted the importance of town hall meetings, even after the shooting of his friend Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D, AZ-8) back in January of this year.

“I think it was important to show that one disturbed individual in Arizona was not going to stop us from having this conversation and do it in a civil way,” Murphy said.“...It’s important to continue to do this for me; really for me to hear from you, rather than you hear from me.”

Though the economy was a consistent theme, many in attendance asked about its relationship with energy reform, something Murphy said he’s very passionate about.

“We have to be wise in what’s going around in the rest of world in terms of investing in green energy companies. China, India and European countries are spending billions of dollars to help grow small and large businesses to compete in the green energy economy and they’re lapping us; they are creating jobs at a much larger rate [through these incentives],” Murphy said.

When it came to economy as a whole, Murphy said the top three issues were “jobs, jobs, jobs.” He said there have been economic improvements since the recession, citing an increase in retail sales and job creation nationwide, but sees a long way to go with unemployment sitting at a “madding, unacceptable level."

Murphy said the federal government has to reduce its size gradually, but has to recognize areas where it can invest.  

“I would go farther than the president has gone in terms of cutting the overall size federal budget,” Murphy said. “But I like the fact that he (Obama) said the way to do this is to not slash and burn all government funding, but to recognize where the smart investments are and where the places are to make affordable cuts.”

Along with green initiatives, Murphy said government should invest in the manufacturing industry, which he said is the base of the economy and helps create jobs.

He said: “Without creating an American policy that requires every business to make something in the United States, we can certainly create incentives to make things here…we should absolutely, unapologetically make a preference to American companies.”

There was also a variety of other specific topics discussed Monday, including veteran benefits, the US Army and capitalism, and general hot button issues, such as healthcare, education, transportation and abortion.

With the recent congressional vote to stop funding for Planned Parenthood, Murphy said: “I just think it’s a mistake to have any  [agency] that has anything to do with abortion to never be a recipient of federal money. If that were the case, we couldn’t fund hospitals because somewhere they may be associated with abortion services.”

Murphy affirmed he’s a supporter of the Obama administration’s healthcare plan, but also focused on the importance of improving Medicare/Medicaid and funding specialty practices.

When the constitutionality of the healthcare plan was raised, he said: “It is likely that this will end up at the Supreme Court level. I believe it’s constitutional, I believe under the commerce clause, congress is allowed to regulate interstate commerce.”

Bethel Board of Education member Robin Renner asked Murphy about funding for special education and his thoughts on No Child Left Behind.

On the latter, Murphy said, “We punish schools without giving them resources to do better and we drive students, teachers, administrators and parents crazy by pushing so much into test-taking and sucking the life out of creative teaching.” Overall he said, No Child Left Behind needs to reworked, as he disagrees with its current layout.

Robin Grubard, owner of Daily Fare, a business located at the Bethel Train Station, said she hears complaints every day about the state of transportation in Connecticut.

“Not only do we not have a lot of rail service, but we’ve made no advancements in rail service,” Murphy said in response. As a state issue, he said while many Republicans are looking to cut transportation funding, it’s vital to Connecticut’s economy.

“We have an inter-state economy that relies on rail transportation, so it’s a perfectly appropriate place for the federal government to help pay for it,” Murphy said.

With the economy remaining as a top priority, Murphy said he especially dislikes the extreme partisanship seen in Washington.

“Republican or Democrat, layoffs don’t discriminate,” Murphy said. “The thing that has surprised me and saddened me the most about my short time in Washington is how unacceptably polarizing this debate has become; how unwilling people are to sit outside of their world view, to accept a little bit [of the other side].”

In order to reach across the aisle, Murphy said he’s taken part on what Congress calls the “Center Aisle Caucus," where representatives of both sides commit to getting together socially to talk or join together in listening to a speaker. He said that is especially important, as his district has almost equal amount of Democrats and Republicans.

Residents are encouraged to contact Murphy with any question or concern via his website, chrismurphy.house.gov. Murphy, from Cheshire, is also planning on running for Sen. Joe Lieberman's Senate seat in 2012.