What is one new policy that the state should embrace to make housing easier to build and afford?
Housing shortages are a nation-wide problem, not just a Maine problem. The housing shortage can’t be fixed overnight. We need to build more housing units through public-private partnerships. Renters tell me that rent has increased considerably for them. Renters need more funding for rent relief.
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?
I have an oil furnace, but also have two heat pumps, and have solar panels on my roof. Climate change is real, and fossil fuels are the energy technology of the past. We can’t move to clean energy sources overnight, but we need to keep moving in that direction in order to protect our environment and natural resources for future generations.
Should the state make changes to its tax laws? If so, outline your priorities.
Everyone wants lower taxes without losing government services. In order to serve the people of Maine, we all need to pay our fair share, and not put the tax burden on those wh can afford it the least. The 131st Legislature increased the Property Tax Fairness Credit for Mainers 65 or older, and expanded the Property Tax Deferral Program. We also established a new, Maine child tax credit of $300. We need to be sure that there is a sustainable way to pay for any further tax credits.
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?
Gun safety and the rights of gun owners is a difficult issue that will continue to be discussed and debated. The basic rights of responsible gun owners should be protected. At the same time, most people want reasonable gun safety legislation. All nations have mental health issues, but the U.S. in particular seems to suffer from mass shootings, often with the most deadly weapons. I’m disappointed that Gov. Mills vetoed the ban on bump stocks that the Legislature passed earlier this year. We did pass a 72-hour waiting period for most firearms purchases, and the Governor signed that bill. By delaying purchases, the waiting period may save the lives of some people contemplating suicide.
Describe a unique attribute or area of focus that you will bring to the Legislature.
I serve on the Education Committee and support early education, and good-paying salaries for teachers and support staff. I also favor a ban on flavored tobacco sales, as flavored tobacco is a gateway to deadly nicotine addiction.
