What is one new policy that the state should embrace to make housing easier to build and afford?
Maine needs to take a close look at permits and the process involved. 25% of the cost of a new build can be attributed to permitting requirements that do little except raise that cost and lengthen the time required from concept to finished project. Too many times those involved in the permitting process fail to look at an applicant and ask, “how can we help you?” rather than trying to bury him under a host of bureaucratic jumble that costs unnecessary time and money.
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?
One important area that is overlooked is hydro power. The present 100-megawatt cap on hydropower generation facilities in favor of other less sustainable and more costly alternatives is short-sighted. Hydro power is eco-friendly and readily available. It doesn’t create the problem of decommissioning that some forms, e.g. solar can create. Electricity is being touted as the solution to our energy problems. Without hydro, electricity must be created either from fossil fuels, solar or wind, all of which present with their own problems.
Should the state make changes to its tax laws? If so, outline your priorities.
YES!!! This last session of our legislature torpedoed several items that served some of our most vulnerable, our seniors. The property tax stabilization for seniors and the property tax levy cap disappeared with a promise of something better but which never materialized. We are the 4th most heavily taxed state in the nation and to what end? Our seniors, veterans and young families just starting out are suffering as we appear to be over-taxing everyone. Property tax relief is the most requested and lead priority.
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 biggest take-away from this monumental tragedy is the total failure of government. There is more than enough blame to go around, and we need to address the root causes which are mental illness, lack of transparency and cooperation between government branches and agencies whose primary responsibility is to keep the people safe. The need for mental health resources and training for law enforcement is plainly evident. This failure reaches across all levels of government and numerous agencies.
Describe a unique attribute or area of focus that you will bring to the Legislature.
As a career law enforcement and public safety professional, I see us shying away from our responsibility to keep. We’ve given up the criminal justice system and are now establishing a social justice system. This is a huge mistake. We need to hold criminals accountable. They are NOT the victims. We have laws that are not being sufficiently enforced and this leads to situations where criminals are emboldened as they do not see a cost to their behavior. Our bail code has been weakened to the point that is almost useless in cases of “quality of life crimes” that tie up enforcement resources and do not eradicate the problem. Consequences must exist and they need to be applied swiftly, surely and fairly. Low or no bail has not worked in other places, why do we think it will work here?
