Jim Himes Statement on Growing Income Gap in Connecticut
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Affordable housing executive and businessman Jim Himes, the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Fourth Congressional District, released the following statement today regarding reports by the Economic Policy Institute and National Low Income Housing Coalition showing, respectively, that the income gap is growing faster in Connecticut than in any other state and that Stamford and Norwalk have the most expensive rents in the U.S.:
"Sadly, the news today that Connecticut is the only state in the nation to have seen a loss of real income over the last 20 years for the poorest 20% of its residents is not surprising -- it is a natural consequence of both the lack of leadership needed to bring middle class jobs back to our district and of the disastrous economic policies that Chris Shays has supported throughout his twenty-one years in Congress. In the face of this economic downturn, Chris Shays was the first Congressman to call for making permanent Bush's special tax breaks for the wealthiest few Americans. Such failed policies make it harder for us to improve our schools, address our infrastructure crisis, create good jobs, and ensure that all Americans have access to health care.
"And as if that weren't enough, we also learned this week that Stamford and Norwalk top the list of the most expensive cities in America in which to rent.
"As someone who has worked for years to increase access to affordable housing, I know we need economic and housing policies that seriously address the incredible burdens that are being placed on working and middle class families today. As Congressman, I will do everything I can to ensure that all of our children have the same opportunities that I had growing up."
Sources:
"Report: Stamford, Norwalk have highest rents in U.S.," Monica Potts, Stamford Advocate, April 7, 2008
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/ci_8841290
"Income Gap in Connecticut Is Growing Fastest, Study Finds," Alison Leigh Cowen, New York Times, April 9, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/09/nyregion/09income.html
