What is one new policy that the state should embrace to make housing easier to build and afford?
Solving the housing crisis will require short-term and long-term solutions. One policy solution should be increasing the actual amount of houses available by focusing on training the workforce to build more homes. This can be accomplished by expanding who qualifies for free community college when they enroll in a trade related to construction, such as carpentry or plumbing. Maine already has a system in place for free community college which will make it easy to open this program up for anyone with an interest in these specific trades.
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?
Mainers deserve to have reliable and affordable power. Our utilities should be held accountable with incentives and penalties based on these expectations. Mainers should see the benefits in our wallets when we produce our own energy within the state. Involving locals in decisions about energy production proposals by providing clear information about the pros and cons of each energy source while also providing benefits to the towns that take them on will help encourage satisfaction with the projects. Many clean energy sources will have a positive future effect on cost and the environment but that should be balanced with the current needs of ratepayers.
Should the state make changes to its tax laws? If so, outline your priorities.
The state should continue to focus on reducing the tax burden on our working families and senior citizens while maintaining a balanced budget. An increase in the new, refundable Maine child tax credit would benefit our working parents; while another increase in the Property Tax Fairness Credit would help our senior citizens. There should also be an increase in the Municipal Revenue Sharing program which will use taxes already collected to support our local governments fund important services, like our public schools, without increasing property taxes. The state could also create a tax credit for employers who invest in childcare services for their employees or communities to help address the severe shortage of childcare opportunities throughout the state.
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 work that was done on Maine’s Yellow Flag law last legislative session showed what common sense solutions can be created when we work together to address an issue. As a gun-owner and hunter, I believe in the right to own a firearm and policies around access to firearms should actually be effective at reducing the chance of violence. Also as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I will push for increased investments in our mental health system; including more support in our schools, increased prevention services, improving access to treatment and crisis services. When Mainers are in need of mental health care, they should have access to it no matter where they live.

Describe a unique attribute or area of focus that you will bring to the Legislature.
I am a working mom who provides therapy services to families throughout Aroostook County every day. Providing mental health services over the last five years has meant interacting with various systems and seeing how policies directly impact people in their communities. My experiences working in this field and as a mother help me understand the importance of strong families, communities and resources. I will take this experience to Augusta and advocate for policies and decisions that will best support my neighbors.