House District 25: Corinna, part of Corinth, Exeter, Newport and Plymouth

Name: Joshua Tardy

Age: 40

Political Party: Republican

Residence: Newport

Employment: Attorney, managing director

Education: Bachelor's in political science, University of Maine; Juris Doctorate from the University of Maine School of Law

Political experience: three terms as state representative

Name: Frederick Austin

Age: 61

Political Party: Democrat

Residence: Newport

Employment: Semi-retired teacher

Education: Bachelor's in education, Texas Tech University; master's from Texas Woman's University

Political experience: Political science teacher, superintendent of schools, campaign worker

1. What can you, as a state legislator, do to help people struggling this year with the high cost of gas and oil?

Tardy: "We have to have a long-range energy plan for our state. We got to look at wind, solar, all of the above. We need long-term incentives for weatherization and we need to work with our congressional delegation in Washington on LIHEAP dollars."

Austin: "Citizens are very concerned about this winter; people hurting the most are the elderly and single mothers. We get heating wood companies to take cords of wood out to people. Also, we need to plan toward the future with programs for windmills, weatherization. And nuclear has proven to be safe."

2. How would you handle the biggest issues facing the towns in your district?

Tardy: "Residents who are worried about high energy costs and the lagging economy. People of our communities are heavily dependent on heating oil and many have significant commutes to work. Affordable health insurance and excessive tax burdens are also critical issues."

Austin: "In order to handle these issues we will work with other legislators who are tired of business as usual to think outside the box. Together we can create extraordinary results."

3. Do you have any plans that would result in more jobs for Maine?

Tardy: "We need the most efficient government possible to keep the tax burden down and less obstacles for businesses. We need to be more business friendly. And looking at roads and bridges construction, we can create quality jobs."

Austin: "I'd propose a tax holiday for new businesses when they get started. I'd like to see a two-year tax holiday and see how practical that works for state revenue."

4. What do you think of the beverage-tax repeal on the November ballot.

Tardy: "Yes, I will vote to repeal. It places a burden on the taxpayer."

Austin: "Yes, I will vote to repeal."

5. Would you support legislation to change the income tax or sales tax?

Tardy: "It depends. I'm not opposed to using the sales tax to lower income taxes."

Austin: "Yes, we need to return to the penny we deducted several years ago."

6. What's the biggest social issue facing the state in the next two years?

Tardy: "Insuring our most needy residents are getting the heating assistance and services they need is the biggest social issue that we're facing at this time. Too often, budget cuts in health and human services at the provider level are not aimed at what I'd consider a bloated bureaucracy. Cutting services to Maine's most needy and not protecting our safety net is the wrong approach."

Austin: "This would be the creation and retention of jobs for our citizens. This will necessitate a pragmatic and innovative cooperation between state government and private enterprise."