What is one new policy that the state should embrace to make housing easier to build and afford?
Due to Washington DC’s inflationary policies, the supply chain has been irreparably harmed, thus causing increases in the costs of lumber and critical building supplies. Although Maine, in and of itself, cannot fix the supply chain issue, we can do things in the interim. By reducing the regulatory burdens associated with building, more builders could construct quicker and more efficiently. Additionally, Maine needs to heavily invest in the trades. While this may seem simplistic, reintroducing shop classes in every high school is a simple yet powerful solution for the future. It provides children with the opportunity to develop practical skills in carpentry, masonry, electrical work, and mechanics, among others. Reduce the red tape, invest in our children, and invest in our future.
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?
Offshore wind is a disaster within a disaster. It endangers the navigational waterways and irreparably damages the fisheries and lobster industry. An offshore wind turbine uses over 300 different chemicals during construction, operation, and maintenance. Not exactly the “green energy” touted by environmental groups. The cost of solar farm debris will be exorbitant with counties and municipalities woefully ill-prepared for the calamity to come.
We should be working on energy solutions that help Mainers, not trap them into policies and taxes they didn’t vote on. Maine should be working on the lowest cost options for our home energy, not so-called green energy policies that increase our cost and harm the precious industries that are inherent and treasured by Maine.

Should the state make changes to its tax laws? If so, outline your priorities.
My number one answer is lower taxes. The Democratic majority repealed property tax stabilization to senior citizens, repealed the increases to the homestead exemptions, and released the cap on what municipalities can charge in taxes. The municipalities want you to believe they are reevaluating home prices because it’s not been done in 30-plus years. However, they are doing it because the majority party in Augusta gave them permission to do so.
Augusta needs to stop spending money and return the tax surplus to the hard-working citizens. Give our senior citizens the tax break they deserve and end the solar tax, which is crippling local businesses and burdening citizens.

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?
The Lewiston mass shooting was a tragedy resulting in the loss of precious Mainers whose families’ lives will be forever changed.
The investigation revealed a complete and absolute breakdown of the systems we currently have in place.
While thousands of people in Maine suffer from mental illness, the services and infrastructure are ill-prepared for the influx Maine faces today. We need real solutions to mental health. Real plans and real action.
Increase the number of inpatient and outpatient facilities. Incentivize mental health professionals to come to and stay in Maine. Additionally, create a database of citizen reporting that immediately goes to surrounding law enforcement agencies rather than stopping at one.

Describe a unique attribute or area of focus that you will bring to the Legislature.
I’ve always blazed my own trail and was never a fan of the status quo. Washington and Augusta are currently stuck in the status quo and let outside influences make their decisions. I’ll listen to the citizens and look at the facts without outside pressures, influences, or demands. Common sense is the key. You can’t spend money you don’t have. You can’t over-tax people to make up for egregious spending habits, and you can’t push agendas that overburden the citizens. Maine doesn’t need more status quo. It needs people like me who aren’t afraid to push the limits and push back when I don’t believe it’s good for Maine.