What is one new policy that the state should embrace to make housing easier to build and afford?
We need to increase the amount of housing, especially housing that is affordable to the workforce which allows people to easily get to their job, especially if they don’t have a car. In Skowhegan, there are apartments downtown, for example, that are not used because they need sprinkler systems to get up to code. Finding ways to assist towns in identifying possible places to add housing and figuring out the barriers would be helpful. Could also consider subsidies for people to add in-law apartments to their homes, in return for charging lower rents. Increasing Section 8 funding would also help – it is very difficult for people to qualify.
Transmission lines, solar incentives and offshore wind development have been controversial over the past several years. What steps should Maine take to meet growing demand for electricity?
Energy efficiency saves people money and also helps reduce energy needs, including electricity. We need to reduce our carbon footprint and the State is working on that. We have increasing costs, like increasing home insurance rates, that can be linked to increasing weather events due to climate disruption. Encouraging rooftop solar where it is feasible reduces large solar arrays which some people find unsightly. Encouraging solar arrays which also benefit farmers, like planting crops or grazing under solar panels could be incentives that also protect agricultural land. I have no issues with offshore wind, as long as placement takes into account environmental issues with siting and impacts on fishermen.
Should the state make changes to its tax laws? If so, outline your priorities.
I cannot think of any particular changes that I would make; people need to feel that what they pay in taxes is fair and equitable. I am happy that they State now pays its share of money to local education, since that was an issue for many years.
We are closing in on the one-year anniversary of the Lewiston mass shooting. Are further legislative responses required around guns, mental health, supporting victims and families or other policy areas?
I think this is a multifactorial problem; we have increasing issues with mental health and we have increasing access to lethal guns like assault weapons. We also have increasing divisions in our community which is fueling divisiveness. Leaders need to help with all of these issues.

Describe a unique attribute or area of focus that you will bring to the Legislature.
I am a retired physician and worked for many years on substance use issues. We have increasing issues with access to medical care, affordability of medical care/medical debt and a real shortage of mental health providers in Central Maine. I have given lectures on Adverse Childhood Experiences for many years in my community and how this affects health.
I also have been a board member of Somerset Woods Trustees, a local land trust, for the last 10 years and have been rewildling a 27 acre field to help birds and pollinators. I also started a horticultural program at my local high school to teach students horticultural skills. I have particular interest in climate resiliency and have done local TV programs on rewilding and native plants.