What is one new policy that the state should embrace to make housing easier to build and afford?
One new policy that’s both actionable and affordable is to help first-time home buyers with funding. This will allow Mainers to stay in the state and compete with out-of-state investors who “buy here but still live there.” Such action won’t directly address the housing stock we need to replenish, but that support will go a long way if coupled with State-led public-private partnerships which incentivize developers.
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?
First, we need to make utilities serving Maine accountable for how much it costs and how well (or not) they are providing electricity. Penalties and incentives, thoughtfully applied, can give rate payers a leg up. Then I believe we have to admit to ourselves that we’ll need to rely on new technologies – whether wind, solar or clean hydro- and a more robust grid in order to maintain the quality of life we expect. We need to implement those changes and technologies consistent with a reasonable and planned transition that Mainers control – that moves us away from fossil fuels whose prices are simply too subject to global events .
Should the state make changes to its tax laws? If so, outline your priorities.
In the past few years, the State Legislature – in a bipartisan way- has created more than $285 million in tax relief. That’s expected to grow to $750 million in the next few years. Its been able to get school reimbursements up to 55%, municipal revenue sharing to 5%, and has increased the Property Tax Fairness Credit and expanded the Property Tax Deferral program. The current budget is a reasonable one that won’t catch us up short, and so require increased tax revenue. But still, current taxes are tough to swallow. So I’d like to see us: 1) look at increasing education reimbursement closer to 60%, 2) look into having wealthy Mainers pay their fair share so vulnerable Mainers don’t have to make up the difference, and 3) continue to make progress on tax credits for working families.
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 respect the right to own firearms. I certainly won’t be looking to take away guns from law-abiding Mainers. But at the same time, as evidenced by that tragedy, we
owe it to ourselves to enact common-sense policies that will prevent gun violence. Keeping children and the rest of us safe is, of course, the top priority of the Legislature. So expanded background checks and a 72-hour wait doesn’t seem like an unreasonable request to make given the horrific, if rare, possible consequences of inaction.
Describe a unique attribute or area of focus that you will bring to the Legislature.
Encouraging Municipal-State partnerships that will increase collaboration among rural towns around land use planning, EMS and fire services, public transportation, and new educational and career opportunities.