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The following are the responses of Carol Way, Republican candidate for the State House of Representatives seat for District 133 (Fairfield). She is facing Republican candidate Cristin McCarthy Vahey.
Name: Carol Way
Age: 74
Occupation: CFRE- Certified Fund Raising Executive at The Way to Success
Affiliations: Life Member of AAUW – American Association of University Women; Habitat for Humanity; Americares Homefront; The Kennedy Center; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Fairfield Public Library; League of Women Voters of Fairfield; Operation Hope and Other Food Banks; numerous arts organizations
Past Offices: Member of Fairfield RTM (Representative Town Meeting) since 2009 – Represented District 10 from 2009-13 and currently represent District 5 since November 2013; Member of Zoning Board of Appeals from 2002-06. Chair of the Education & Recreation Committee and Secretary of the Senior & Disabled Tax Relief Committee
Other Legislative Leadership Roles: Director of AAUW Legislative Program for State of Minnesota for 3 years; Member of AAUW National Legislative Committee in Washington DC for 2 years; Chairwoman of Blue Earth MN County Republicans (population 70,000) for 3 years; Housewives for Rockefeller in Schenectady NY for 2 years
If elected what would you do to improve roads and trains in Fairfield County?
We can no longer postpone maintenance and infrastructure improvement on the rail lines and on many critical bridges on our major highways. The rail bridge in Norwalk is over 100 years old and needs to be replaced. I was a resident of Fairfield when the Mianus Bridge collapsed and we don’t want such tragedies to occur again. Yet our transportation fund has been raided to balance operating budgets. Those funds should remain secure for the purpose intended, In addition, we should explore many different options for funding what is the most heavily traveled highway and rail corridor in the nation. Explore a wide variety of sources of funding through federal grants, public private partnerships, and transportation bonding if necessary. We should also avoid spending precious funding ($600 million) on busways to nowhere (from New Britain to Hartford), as the legislature did recently. We need new and innovative approaches to the congestion on our highways.
If elected what is your position on state spending and the state budget?
Despite $1.8 billion dollars in additional taxes being placed on Connecticut’s taxpayers during the one party supermajority rule of the Molloy administration, the present budget was “balanced with gimmicks” (see Forbes magazine and the Hartford Courant). A large bonding package included funds for items that would have ordinarily been included in the regular budget line. Approximately $6 billion of Medicaid spending was shifted off budget. Even with increased personal income taxes, increased sales taxes, and new business taxes, we are rated #46 in economic performance and #43 for economic outlook of the 50 states. We have the 4th largest debt per capita with almost $28,000 per capita. We need a thorough review of our taxing system and of all State government programs. Privatize some programs where private nonprofits are more effective at a much lower cost. Move all new hires into a 401 (A) type of retirement plan. Pursue consolidation of government programs to eliminate duplication.
What is another top issue or priority in your town or district that you would address in office?
The Legislature passes bills that they deem important for local municipalities and local school districts, but they are very slow to provide funds or in some cases they totally ignore the economic consequences of their actions. Unfunded mandates sent to our school districts and our local governments create a downward spiraling effect on all of Connecticut. In most cases local government can meet these requirements only through raising their mill rate and their real estate taxes. In addition, the State has eliminated the property tax credit that was available to homeowners in the past. In addition, the 8-30 g Statute needs to be reviewed and amended to allow towns to develop an affordable housing index that is based on statistics not restricted to merely FHA or HUD or deed restricted properties, but rather the sales and rentals of homes that represent a certain percentage of the resident’s income.
Why should people vote for you?
First, I have always been A Voice for All Fairfield Residents. While we may run for office with a party affiliation, the largest number of registered voters is not Republicans or Democrats, it is the unaffiliated voters. We need to represent the needs and concerns of the great diversity of voters within our town and our state. I have always looked at issues and concerns with a strong sense of fiscal responsibility coupled with the balance of needs and concerns of all ages and backgrounds. Second, I speak at public meetings and take stands on controversial issues. I am not a “politician”, but I am a public servant and community leader who is willing to actively support measures that benefit the common good. Third, because experience counts. I have the most extensive background having been a high school teacher, nonprofit administrator, a chamber of commerce executive, and 35 years in Fairfield.
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