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Q: What will your two priorities be if elected?
A: Job creation and job retention. The economy and making the structural changes in the way government taxes, borrows, and spends are paramount. We need to improve the business climate in Connecticut by reducing the size and scope of government, consolidating agencies, and eliminating duplicative services while preserving essential safety net services for our most vulnerable citizens. We can grow business by reducing nuisance business entity taxes and fees, streamlining the permit process while keeping environmental safeguards in place, lowering energy costs, improving mass transportation and housing opportunities, and educating our young people to be competitive when entering the work force.
Q: Funds for infrastructure (roads and bridges) repairs are running low and the list of critical projects is long. What new revenue stream would you support for funding?
A: We have adequate tax and revenue streams in place as well as special transportation bonding capabilities. What we need is fiscal and political discipline. We must commit to correcting deferred maintenance on our roads and bridges, upgrading infrastructure, and improving mass transportation by using the dedicated funds only for specific purposes.
Q: What steps would you support to secure Connecticut's energy needs while protecting the local and global environment?
A: Having worked in the electric utility industry for 25 years, I am a strong proponent of energy conservation and alternative, renewable sources of energy - such as solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro. We need to reduce our carbon footprint by embracing a "green" ethos. To promote energy efficiency, encourage cleaner energy, and reduce demand, I support the use of clean diesel fuels, tax incentives to owners of hybrid vehicles and other fuel-efficient automobiles, and tax breaks for small power plants that use technology such as micro-turbines and fuel cells.
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