State Senator Robert J. Kane today announced his plans to run for re-election this November, saying he will continue to be outspoken on the need to pass policies which improve the state’s business climate and create jobs.

 “As a small business owner, I feel I bring an important perspective to the State Capitol,” Sen. Kane said.  “And the fact is, small businesses are struggling.  They are struggling because of the recent tax hikes and they are struggling because of the burdensome mandates that government places on them.  I am fighting to get government out of their way so that they are free to grow and expand.”

 Senator Kane, a long-time resident of Watertown, was first elected to represent the 32nd Senatorial District in a special election in 2008. In addition to Watertown, his district includes the communities of Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Middlebury, Oxford, Roxbury, Seymour, Southbury, Thomaston and Woodbury.

 He is a Senate Deputy Minority Leader, and serves as the leading Republican Senator, or Ranking Member, of the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee. Also, Senator Kane serves as a member of the Education and Public Health committees.

 “Our state government has an addiction,” Senator Kane said.  “It is addicted to spending your money.  Because of that addiction, we saw our taxes hiked by record amounts last year.  I voted against that tax hike and put forth a no tax hike plan which cut wasteful state spending.  I will continue to be a voice for taxpayers in Hartford if re-elected.”

 Senator Kane is a proud husband and father, a successful business owner and an active member of the community. He is past chair of the Watertown Town Council and has served as chair of its Finance Subcommittee and founding chair of its Business Development Subcommittee. Senator Kane is a former chair of the Wolcott Street/Lakewood Road Business Association, a past president of the Professional Network Organization (Profnet), and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce. Also, he is a former board member of United Way, of the Waterbury Association of Retarded Citizens, and of Regional Workforce Investment Board. Senator Kane is a past recipient of the Waterbury Regional Chamber Malcolm Baldrige Award for Volunteerism, and a past recipient of the Waterbury Regional Chamber Harold Webster Smith Small Business Award.

 Senator Kane is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University and received an MBA from the University of New Haven in 2009. He continues to operate the business he founded, KarTele Cellular Phones in Waterbury.  He and his wife, Dr. Marcy Kane, are the proud parents of Aidan and Deana.

“It has been an honor to serve the taxpayers of the 32^nd senatorial district,” Sen. Kane said.  “If voters return me to the State Capitol in November, I will continue to fight for lower taxes, lower spending and policies which allow our Main Street businesses to thrive.”