Zupkus, Markley hold constituent forum

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State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-89) speaks with residents during a Jan. 23 constituent forum Wednesday at Prospect Town Hall. –CONTRIBUTED
State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-89) speaks with residents during a Jan. 23 constituent forum Wednesday at Prospect Town Hall. –CONTRIBUTED

PROSPECT — State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-89) and state Sen. Joe Markley (R-16) talked state issues with Prospect residents during a constituent forum Wednesday.

More than 40 people attended the forum at Town Hall during which a variety f topics were discussed, including job creation, the rights of gun owners, abuse of state entitlement programs, and state regulations and taxes on small businesses, according to a release issued by Zupkus’ office.

The legislators also provided details about a projected $2 billion budget deficit over the next two fiscal years, the release stated.

Some residents told the lawmakers they’re considering leaving the state, the release stated. Those types of stories, Zupkus said, are what fueled her run for state office.

State Sen. Joe Markley (R-16) addresses residents during a Jan. 23 constituent forum Wednesday at Prospect Town Hall. –CONTRIBUTED
State Sen. Joe Markley (R-16) addresses residents during a Jan. 23 constituent forum Wednesday at Prospect Town Hall. –CONTRIBUTED

“Over and over I hear from people who are fed up with government, people who say they can’t afford to live in the communities where they grew up,” she said. “For too long we’ve had a legislature that’s viewed spending more money and increasing taxes as solutions to everything. The common sense budgeting principles that we use here, in our homes and in our businesses, are foreign concepts to a majority of the folks at the Capitol.”

Markley assured everyone he understands the message they sent.

“It’s my job to listen to you and as I am reminded day in and day out — to make sure government stops spending money it doesn’t have. And that is what I will do,” he said.