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The following are the responses of Kim Fawcett, the Democratic candidate for the State Senate seat for District 28 (Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport). Fawcett is facing Republican candidate Tony Hwang.
Name: Kim Fawcett
Age:45
Occupation: State Representative
Affiliations: Democrat, Working Families
Past offices: Four terms serving District 133 Fairfield and Westport in the Connecticut General Assembly
Current race: State Senate District 28
If elected, what would you do to improve roads and trains in Fairfield County?
I will continue to advocate for a long-term investment plan that includes desperately needed upgrades to Metro-North Railroad and our overall transportation infrastructure. The many commuters in Senate District 28 need and deserve safer, faster and more frequent train service. I believe a modern, efficient transportation system will fuel job and economic growth. As co-chair of the Transportation Bonding Committee and the Transportation Subcommittee for Appropriations, I have worked to ensure we have a plan in place. With a clear vision of the investments needed over many years, legislators like me can become better advocates and work in a more focused way to modernize the state's roads, rails and bridges.
If elected, what is your position on state spending and the state budget?
In 2015, our state government must redefine spending priorities, reduce expenditures and focus on its core mission. That mission should include investment in public safety, education, infrastructure and programs critical to supporting our most vulnerable citizens. With these priorities in mind, we must be willing to consider eliminating programs and services that don't make the grade.
Cutting spending is serious business and must be done thoughtfully. Connecticut is in the midst of overhauling its budget practices -- a major undertaking. I am a strong supporter of the performance-based budgeting system now being implemented. It allows us to set goals for spending, measure results and strategically fund only programs that are achieving results. Empowered with more data on where our tax dollars are being spent and whether that spending is worthwhile and achieving goals, we can cut ineffective programs and ensure that we are investing in ones that succeed.
What is another top issue or priority in your town or district that you would address in office?
Protecting the character of our neighborhoods from overzealous development is another important issue I have been working on. Our communities are being adversely impacted by state statutes that encourage over-development. I have chaired an affordable housing working group in the Legislature over the past two years to develop amendments that better protect our neighborhoods and ensure that growth and density are occurring in transit corridors and near urban centers. These smart-growth principles will not only allow us to diversify our housing stock and add more affordable housing, they will also help protect farms and our limited open space from overdevelopment.
Why should people vote for you?
As a four-term state representative for Fairfield, I have developed expertise in several areas, including transportation, children's issues and results-based budgeting. I have a master's degree in legislative affairs from George Washington University and years of professional work experience as an advocate for family and children’s health issues.
My actions and votes match my words. I follow through on what I tell voters I will do. I have been an ardent and outspoken advocate for commuters, our children and schools, patients will Lyme disease, groups promoting public health, and those who want to see us protect our open space and community character. I also understand that we must keep property taxes in check, and I have worked to reduce government spending. That is why I voted twice against Democratic proposals that raised taxes. My voice and voting record reflect my independence and a deep commitment to moderate public policies and solutions that are often overlooked by partisan politics.
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