6. Three quarters of state roads, according to the federal Department of Transportation, are in poor or mediocre condition. Connecticut’s Transportation Safety Board has calculated that the state’s congested highways cost businesses hundreds of millions of dollars in productivity losses, increased operating expenses, and less effective employee recruitment efforts. How did Connecticut drive into this economic pothole, and how can the state get out of it?

Rep Fawcett says that years of deferred maintenance combined with a severe nationwide recession has taken a toll on Connecticut’s entire transportation system.

“Gridlock on I-84 is a big problem for Newtown commuters,” she wrote. “As co-chair of the Transportation Bonding Committee and the Transportation Subcommittee for Appropriations, I have lobbied the state to get more serious about upgrading our roads, rails, and bridges. It will take a major commitment and many years to get back on track, but I know we don’t stand a chance of success without first developing a long-term plan to guide our efforts and target limited funds.”

As a result of her advocacy, Rep Fawcett said the state produced, TransformCT, an 18-month project to create a long-term vision of what the state’s transportation infrastructure needs to truly serve and move the people of Connecticut.

“This roadmap will dictate investment decisions, prioritize projects, and ensure that each expenditure has a strong economic benefit and is moving us in the right direction, one step at a time,” she wrote. “With a clear vision of the investments needed over many years, legislators like me can become better advocates.”

Rep Hwang said infrastructure shortfalls destroy the quality of life in Connecticut while threatening its economic viability, at the same time acknowledging that the degradation has developed over a long period of time.

“The legislative body as a whole, over time, has dropped the ball on this,” Rep Hwang said, adding that addressing the issues at hand will cost billions and compromise travel throughout the state for some time.

“I find it very disingenuous when we are using transportation allocation as battle cries in this campaign season,” he said. “We got to the point where we raided transportation funds in the regular budget and then borrowed $2.4 billion to cover operating expenses — $14 million to cover transportation expenses. We need to have the discipline of a responsible government.”

7. Since small business is the backbone of this country, what two things will the candidates do to find new business and retain the present small businesses in Connecticut during their stay in office? And while we’re on the subject, maybe you could offer your views on the possibilities and/or the limitations of state grants and incentives for business and industry.

 Rep Fawcett notes that two important things are already being done in Connecticut — reducing burdensome regulations and taking specific steps to diversify job opportunities and prepare young people for these new, in-demand jobs.

“Over the past three years, each state government agency has been charged with identifying and reviewing regulations. During the 2014 legislative session, we passed two comprehensive packages that removed 1,000 pages of regulations, from onerous monthly filings to needlessly lengthy permitting processes.”

She said that state agencies will continue to collaborate with leaders, business owners and individual citizens  on the next round of regulatory reform in 2015, while touting Next Generation Connecticut and the reorganization of the Connecticut State University and community colleges systems — the heart of new long-term workforce development efforts emphasizing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

“I remain optimistic about our economic recovery,” Rep Fawcett continued. “It's certainly true that state grants and incentives are not the only solution and must be used judiciously. That’s why I will continue to fight for investment in transportation, reduction of burdensome government regulations, and education policies that help position Connecticut as one of the best states for business in the country.”

Mr Hwang stated that small businesses generate 70 percent of the business profits in Connecticut, and praised a 2012 jobs bill that made a real bipartisan difference by creating capital to help businesses grow; rolling back some fees and expenses; and providing talent through the support of STEM education so the state’s precision manufacturing sector could thrive with local talent.

The senate hopeful targeted health insurance costs as a major drag on small business growth, and celebrated a bill he supported eliminating more than a thousand pages of outdated regulations, and “unruly bureaucracy.”

“When people work together on a unified goal we can make government work — we just haven’t been doing that,” he concluded.

Democratic State Representative Kim Fawcett and Republican State Representative Tony Hwang are competing to take the seat incumbent Senator John McKinney will vacate after his term ends, and following his unsuccessful attempt to end Tom Foley’s primary bid for governor last August.

Rep Hwang agreed to be a last-minute substitute for two other candidates who dropped out of The Newtown Bee’s October 21 Candidate’s Forum at Edmond Town Hall. Rep Fawcett had another commitment that evening and could not attend following her late afternoon invitation that day, so she was provided the identical questions asked at the forum.

Below are the questions, and the Senate candidates’ encapsulated responses to help Newtown voters better understand their positions on key issues facing the state in the coming months and years.

1. Since you are seeking to represent Newtown in the legislature, what is your assessment of the Newtown community in 2014, and how will that that inform you as a state legislator or a potential legislator?

Rep Fawcett said she regards Newtown as a resilient and warm community that has embraced and welcomed her as she has visited with voters at more than 2,000 homes, while speaking with business owners and participating in many community events.

“One consistent message I heard is that people want to see improved economic and job growth in Connecticut. Folks were pleased to hear the state is working to diversify employment opportunities by developing bioscience, personalized medicine, and digital technology fields,” she noted.

“They were also glad to hear that state government is responding to private industry requests to reduce burdensome regulations and focus on preparing high school and college students for in-demand jobs.”

Along with discussing investments to upgrade the state’s transportation systems to relieve traffic congestion on I-84 and pave local roads, Rep Fawcett says she has encountered people from both parties who are worried about taxes and responsible spending.

“They’re looking for relief from the high cost of living in Connecticut, yet still want assurances that services will be in place when they need them,” she said. “I will continue to fight for results-based budgeting practices that help identify wasteful and ineffective programs, and I won’t hesitate to vote against Democratic party leaders when I believe they are overspending. I voted against tax increases in the 2010 and 2012 biennial budgets.”

Rep Tony Hwang said he spent six years in the assembly gaining experience while working in bi-partisan fashion to address the greatest concerns facing the state — jobs and the slow economy.

“We need to create a setting where businesses can thrive,” he said. “We don’t build businesses, but we can help them succeed.”

Rep Hwang pointed to a recently enacted jobs bill which he supported that is showing results.

“The key was, this bill was done on a bipartisan basis. Unfortunately, thereafter, we came into a [period] of a one party rule structure — that’s not productive.”

Rep Hwang said while talking about creating tax-based revenues, lawmakers need to “be courageous and take on the concept of property tax relief for our municipalities.”

“I know we have taxes that put an incredible burden on people. So we have to work with our municipal leaders to create property tax relief,” he added. “At the end of the day, if people can’t afford to live in our town, we lose the richness and the fabric of our community.”

2. If you had the opportunity to roll back the gun legislation passed in the wake of the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School would you? And what aspects of those gun laws would you change? Conversely, if you had the opportunity to strengthen those laws, would you?

Rep Fawcett responded to the question about rolling back current legislation saying, “Never.”

She recognizes that the legislation passed in 2013 in response to the shooting is currently the strongest, most comprehensive policy on gun safety in the nation, and she is committed to fight to keep it that way.

“I am also committed to keeping the state and national dialogue going. The responsibility of the legislators from our region is to always make sure that Connecticut is leading the nation and working to change the status quo on gun safety,” she said. “These efforts do not entail taking guns away from those who own and care for them lawfully. I support common-sense legislative changes: background checks, safer storage and transfer of ownership, limits and enforcement. People in Newtown want to know why politics takes precedence and stops nationwide reforms from becoming a reality.”

She wants to see the state continually striving to set new standards on screening for and access to mental health care services, and that Connecticut continues taking steps to reduce the stigma of mental illness.

“I would like to see Connecticut do more to take guns out of the hands of individuals who clearly pose a threat in our community. As California did, we can empower law enforcement officers and immediate family to petition courts to have guns removed from those who may appear unstable or likely to commit a crime,” she concluded. “We can also better protect women from domestic violence, help prevent street crimes and urban violence, and prohibit certain people from ever purchasing a weapon that kills.”

Rep Hwang said the gun debate was one of the most emotional and grueling he has seen in his years of elected service.

“I voted for the gun bill and I will not support the repeal of the gun bill,” he said. At the same time, Rep Hwang supports building an adequate, collaborative support network for individuals with mental health problems, while helping reduce the societal stigmas against those facing mental health challenges.

He also wants to look at making gun security and storage statutes stronger, and hopes to balance the need for more school security funding that can further burden municipalities with the support that is necessary.

“What I’ve seen in this gun debate is that we’ve politicized it so much — in some ways we have not always recognized that the rights of law-abiding citizens who believe in the Second Amendment are demonized, sometimes not afforded the protection and the respect that is necessary,” Rep Hwang said. “It’s important that we reach a compromise as we deliberate this process. I’m confident that we’re going to do that — it’s imperative we do that because we cannot be a town divided.”

3. Last spring the legislature raised a bill that would roll back some of the privacy protections enacted in the wake of the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook School, specifically regarding the release of crime scene photos of homicides. The bill stalled and was not enacted, but the issue is still on the “to do” lists of several interest groups. What, specifically, is your position on this issue and more generally on the topic of privacy protections for crime victims?

Rep Fawcett said when crime scene photos involve children and depict true horror, she does not believe they should be subject to Freedom of Information requests and released for general public consumption.

“I will support efforts to protect the memories of all victims and work to see needed protections passed. I understand the importance of transparency in government and want to ensure that we keep the media and regulatory bodies informed by giving access to information that is relevant,” she said. “But I also believe there is a way to achieve that transparency without releasing images from violent crimes.”

Rep Hwang talked about living under martial law as a childhood refugee in Taiwan.

“I’m proud to say Connecticut is a world leader, not just nationally, in terms of Freedom of Information access. But what we engaged in this debate was an emotional issue — a hard-fought issue, and we decided to withhold that information,” he said. “And we’ve been criticized for that decision across the country, across the press.”

But nonetheless, Rep Hwang said he supported the decision.

“It was the right thing to do,” he said, adding that there are those who will throw any provocative or damaging images or information onto the Internet for a quick jolt of notoriety.

“I will not allow that to occur on the backs of the people who suffered so much,” Rep Hwang said.

4. The people of Connecticut pay a mix of taxes and fees including income taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes. Nobody likes them; everybody pays them. Is Connecticut’s system of taxation fair? If not, who are the winners and losers? Does our tax system need to be reformed, and if so, how?

Rep Fawcett said it would be disingenuous and irresponsible to suggest that Connecticut eliminate either the income tax or sales tax. As a member of the Moderate Democratic Caucus, Rep Fawcett says she fought hard to reduce spending and waste.

“I voted against the tax increases in the 2010 and 2012 biennial budgets because I believed we could do a better job allocating funds,” she said. “I will continue to work to reduce the scope of government and fight for strict adherence to results-based measures that are being implemented throughout state government to ensure we are spending taxpayer dollars with care.”

Rep Fawcett also pledges to continue supporting efforts to reform the property tax.

“This tax is one of the most burdensome, and I repeatedly hear how it is strangling homeowners and often forcing them to move when they shift to living on a fixed income,” she said. “State government can do more to help our municipalities reduce that burden by cutting way back on unfunded mandates that drive up costs, while also providing additional sources of revenue and reimbursement for education and public works projects paid for by local taxpayers.”

Rep Hwang said Connecticut is facing its challenges, and while people know taxes are necessary, his constituents do not feel they are getting the return value from their tax investments. He talked about the governor’s idea of “shared sacrifice,” which increased taxation, as well as spending and borrowing.

“The fact of the matter is, we need to address property tax relief. It hits people at their homes, at the root of their biggest investment,” he said. “We need to be courageous in making these changes. We can also reduce spending in our state, we’ve done it. And we need to grow jobs and the economy. Not put the burden on the [property owners] of our communities.”

5. Gov Malloy has said “There is no going back” on establishing Common Core educational standards in Connecticut. What is your assessment of the implementation of Common Core standards? Is there a need for universal benchmarks? And if you oppose the implementation of Common Core standards, what would you propose for setting and enhancing educational standards for Connecticut’s schools?

Rep Fawcett says while the intent to establish Common Core standards in 2010 might have been laudable, the implementation of new standards has been flawed, leaving many dedicated teachers feeling demoralized and devalued.

“The introduction of Common Core standards in Connecticut has been particularly troublesome because of the simultaneous implementation of new standardized tests and a proposed new teacher evaluation system. Connecticut got this one wrong,” she noted. “In early 2014, we halted implementation of both new tests and teacher evaluations. The state Board of Education, guided by a new education commissioner and new legislative leadership, will take another look in January 2015 and work more thoughtfully to raise the bar for student achievement.”

Rep Fawcett says ensuring that teachers’ concerns are heard and communicated will be one of her top concerns.

Rep Hwang called education the “ultimate equalizer.” He talked about the great teachers that helped guide him from his early days in the United States at age 9, in an English as a second language program.

“I’m sitting at this table because of great teachers,” he said. “I understand the goal of Common Core. Although the goal is noble, the implementation fell far below that. A top-down policy does not work, from ‘No Child Left Behind’ to ‘Race to the Top.’ The government mandating educational policies to municipalities is never, ever going to work.”

The senate candidate said he is concerned about moving forward on Common Core because it has already eroded the confidence and initiative of children in learning environments, and it is hampering teachers who now feel they have to teach to the test, even at the expense of field trips and other enrichment.

“The greatness of this country isn’t because we’re the greatest test takers,” Rep Hwang said. “We need to pay more respect to administrators, teachers, and parents who are in integral part of the education process. Common Core right now doesn’t do that.”

6. Three quarters of state roads, according to the federal Department of Transportation, are in poor or mediocre condition. Connecticut’s Transportation Safety Board has calculated that the state’s congested highways cost businesses hundreds of millions of dollars in productivity losses, increased operating expenses, and less effective employee recruitment efforts. How did Connecticut drive into this economic pothole, and how can the state get out of it?

Rep Fawcett says that years of deferred maintenance combined with a severe nationwide recession has taken a toll on Connecticut’s entire transportation system.

“Gridlock on I-84 is a big problem for Newtown commuters,” she wrote. “As co-chair of the Transportation Bonding Committee and the Transportation Subcommittee for Appropriations, I have lobbied the state to get more serious about upgrading our roads, rails, and bridges. It will take a major commitment and many years to get back on track, but I know we don’t stand a chance of success without first developing a long-term plan to guide our efforts and target limited funds.”

As a result of her advocacy, Rep Fawcett said the state produced, TransformCT, an 18-month project to create a long-term vision of what the state’s transportation infrastructure needs to truly serve and move the people of Connecticut.

“This roadmap will dictate investment decisions, prioritize projects, and ensure that each expenditure has a strong economic benefit and is moving us in the right direction, one step at a time,” she wrote. “With a clear vision of the investments needed over many years, legislators like me can become better advocates.”

Rep Hwang said infrastructure shortfalls destroy the quality of life in Connecticut while threatening its economic viability, at the same time acknowledging that the degradation has developed over a long period of time.

“The legislative body as a whole, over time, has dropped the ball on this,” Rep Hwang said, adding that addressing the issues at hand will cost billions and compromise travel throughout the state for some time.

“I find it very disingenuous when we are using transportation allocation as battle cries in this campaign season,” he said. “We got to the point where we raided transportation funds in the regular budget and then borrowed $2.4 billion to cover operating expenses — $14 million to cover transportation expenses. We need to have the discipline of a responsible government.”