The thought of taxes makes most people groan. Instead, for Sue Lavelli-Hozempa, thinking about them (even tackling, talking and strategizing about them) gets her going.
She has been a policy advocate for the Yankee Institute in Hartford for just two weeks and already she’s making her opinion heard.
“Right now in Connecticut, we are at a critical point. We’re in such an oppressive environment for taxation,” said Lavelli-Hozempa. “It affects businesses of any size. Everyone feels the pinch.”
Lavelli-Hozempa came across the Yankee Institute, a nonpartisan organization crusading for lower taxes and leaner government, when she was elected to the board of education in Enfield.
Lavelli-Hozempa is passionate about the organization and her new role. “This is a crucial time. We have an opportunity here to do some things to make Connecticut a better place to live. But when it’s so hard to do business in this environment, I think we need answers.”
In her new position as policy advocate, Lavelli-Hozempa has been making appointments with businesses and organizations to discuss ideas of the Yankee Institute. One concern is alternatives to new school construction. Instead of building brand new schools which could throw the budget off track, school systems may consider charter schools or early graduation programs.
But not everyone is listening.
“Sometimes bureaucrats don’t like change or change agents. They have a tendency to really squash you. I have experienced it myself,” she said. “I think we’re right, so I’m not overly concerned.”
Lavelli-Hozempa, 39, is set on getting the word out for the institute now, but said in the future she would like to run for state representative. “I believe with good leaders, we get good policy.”
Amanda Blaszyk is a staff writer for the Hartford Business Journal.
