REPUBLICAN STEVEN HEFFERNAN, a Bristol native and local business owner, is running for one of two seats state Senate representing Addison County, Huntington, Rochester and Buel’s Gore. 
Independent photo/Marin Howell

The following five questions, along with a requested word limit, were asked of each local candidate in a competitive race for the Vermont House or Senate.

The questions are not repeated in the context of each candidate’s response, but are recalled by subject at the beginning of each answer.

Primary Election Day is Aug. 13.

1) PERSONAL BACKGROUND: Born and raised in Vermont, grew up on a family farm in Bristol, learned the value of family, honesty, hard work and learn to live with in your means. Married my high school sweetheart and had 3 children.  They have blessed us with 5 grandkids to date.

I’m serving our country and state as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal tech for more than 30 years, in the Vermont Air National Guard. I own and operate three businesses with my partners.

I love this state and am concerned about where it’s headed and the future it holds for my grandchildren.

2) THREE ISSUES: Without a doubt the biggest two issues will be education and s5 fuel tax. I believe most Vermonters are concerned about this because it will have an instant impact on their finances. Thirdly, transportation, our roads and bridges need many improvements around our state.

These are what I believe are Vermonters’ top 3 issues. I haven’t gone into detail because most people just want answers not a long-drawn-out explanation. As your Senator I will do my best to keep issues and laws to their simplest form when possible.

3) PAYING FOR SCHOOLS: Solving the state’s education finance problem will not be an easy task. Schools are decreasing in attendance, special needs amplify costs and building maintenance are a few reasons our taxes go up.  I will start looking for answers by talking with other states that have good working school systems. Find out how they do it and if it could work here in Vermont. I would also consult our local school leadership, superintendents, teachers, janitors and others on ways to help reduce costs and save taxpayers money.

There will be some hard choices to be made in the future and we need leaders that will make the right choices that will work for all Vermonters.

One thing is crystal clear, Vermonters are not going to be able to handle more tax increases. We as a state have to find ways to give our children great education and not break our tax payers finances.

4) HOUSING: As someone who does construction, I can say one of the costliest parts is what it takes to get through the permit process. From a landowner getting through wastewater permitting, to the builder wading through ACT-250. This state at this point is NOT a build friendly state. I would like to see our state agencies help rather than deter.  In doing so it would help lower costs and make building more affordable.

Vermont is a beautiful state, and we all want it to stay that way, but if we don’t make permitting easier for projects that will be good for Vermont we will not grow. Young people and couples will most likely go somewhere else because they can not afford to live here. I personally want my children and their families to stay here.

5) CLIMATE: I do not, reason why Vermont has a population of about 650,000, our effect on climate change is almost unnoticeable. Also, Vermonters are doing it, solar, EV/ Hybrid cars and weatherizing. Why should we tax ourselves more to do something that won’t have any real change. There are states affecting climate change more than Vermont and are doing less about it. Vermont is a small and mighty state and should continue to do what it can to help with climate change, but we should set it as goals and not mandate.

Read more Addison Independent coverage of Steven Heffernan here.

Find our Q&As with the rest of the Vermont Senate and House candidates here.