What is one new policy that the state should embrace to make housing easier to build and afford?
The state should directly finance and develop mixed-income housing using a bond or another source of revenue. If the state did this, it would provide a source of housing that is not subject to market speculation, and it would stay affordable in perpetuity, unlike developments that use the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. The university system does this for students, why can’t the state do it for the public when there is such dire need?
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?
The state should maintain equity in the offshore development. The wind is public, the electricity that is generated by it should be treated as a public good to combat climate change. This would go a long way towards assuaging people who fish for a living who are upset about offshore wind farms affecting their livelihoods, while offering little benefit to them in return.
Should the state make changes to its tax laws? If so, outline your priorities.
It is outrageous that a person today who is making $55,000 a year is paying the same income tax rate as someone who makes $550,000 or $5.5 million. We need to fix this. We can lower income tax rates for the majority of working Mainers while still generating revenue for vital services by making the rich pay their fair share.
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?
Red flag law. Increased mental health funding.
Describe a unique attribute or area of focus that you will bring to the Legislature.
Building climate mitigation infrastructure to fortify our communities against increasing extreme weather events by putting fees on big polluters and disproportionate emitters of greenhouse gasses, like cruise ships and megayachts. Maine should establish a climate superfund program by making big oil companies pay for their destruction of our climate.
