What is one new policy that the state should embrace to make housing easier to build and afford?
Developers must be incentivized to build affordable housing. The State can provide new funding sources to leverage private, municipal and federal support for innovative projects of all types and sizes. A Local Option Lodging Tax could provide property tax relief and money for local projects that increase ownership and rental opportunities.
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?
Utilities must implement smart-grid technologies to incentivize time-of-day control of EV charging, water heaters and other appliances; and be required to quickly interconnect local, decentralized solar and battery storage projects. A uniform building code for permitting rooftop solar would significantly streamline and reduce the cost of home and small business arrays.

Community Solar Farms should only be built to provide affordable ownership opportunities for low and moderate-income ratepayers, nonprofit organizations and municipalities. Offshore floating wind turbines must be quickly built and interconnected to local grids to provide equitable, low-cost electricity to power all of Maine’s heating, transportation, industrial and residential demands.
Should the state make changes to its tax laws? If so, outline your priorities.
Maine has the highest property tax burden in the United States, costing fixed and low- income households more than 5% of their income. Taxpayer relief must be one of the Legislature’s top priorities, and a Local Option Lodging Tax would provide new revenues from those that can afford to pay — primarily out-of-state visitors.

This optional tax would allow local town meetings to assess up to 2% on all lodging, including short-term vacation rentals, campgrounds, B&B’s and hotels. Air B&B and VRBO are now in almost every town, and could provide tax relief for municipal operations and infrastructure.
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?
We must eliminate the easy access to guns. Most voters support banning military-style weapons like the AR-15 and AK-47. The vast majority of Mainers support background checks on all gun sales, which would make it harder for dangerous people to get guns.
Describe a unique attribute or area of focus that you will bring to the Legislature.
My first grandchild was born in Portland a few months ago. I know first-hand that working families need affordable childcare and health care. All our grandchildren should grow up with opportunities for good education, safe schools, rewarding jobs, and affordable housing. They deserve a clean environment, stable climate, and a government that is responsive to the people.

For more than a decade, I have been a climate activist, bringing local solutions to MDI that save people money and reduce carbon emissions. I led Maine Citizens for Clean Elections to make government transparent and accountable to the voters. I helped found Our Power to make electric utilities more reliable, less expensive and powered by renewables. These are the values I want to bring to Augusta.