What is one new policy that the state should embrace to make housing easier to build and afford?
Maine should treat our admitted “housing crisis” as a crisis demanding immediate attention and action. Maine should reduce barriers and provide incentives from start to finish for construction of affordable housing. Reduced zoning restrictions would increase construction opportunities while a streamlined permitting process would reduce construction costs and time. Embracing new technology and materials would help Maine lead the way in alternative types of homes available to address our dire housing shortage.
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?
Maine should make massive efforts in upgrading our electrical grid and increasing investments in technologies that improve energy distribution efficiency and reduce outages. Embracing clean energy technologies will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, reducing our destruction of our environment from dirty energy extraction and emissions.
Should the state make changes to its tax laws? If so, outline your priorities.
Maine should change tax laws to promote economic growth and address demographic challenges like our aging population and workforce shortages. I will advocate for tax laws that incentivize businesses addressing our housing crisis and for caregivers in childcare and senior care roles. Most importantly, making corporations pay their fair share, while providing tax cuts for the working class will help those that need tax breaks the most, families and seniors.
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?
Yes, further legislative responses are necessary to address our mental health crisis that is terrorizing our most vulnerable, our children. We are raising a generation of kids that go to school afraid to be in school. Parents are sending their children to school fearing for their safe return. Gun laws that promote gun safety and responsible ownership, increases funds for mental health services, and increases cooperation between law enforcement agencies and mental health providers will be my priorities.
Describe a unique attribute or area of focus that you will bring to the Legislature.
I am a veteran who recognizes the crisis that is affecting those that defended our country over the past few decades. Moral injury is now being recognized as a substantial cause of the high suicide rate affecting our veterans. I will work to raise awareness of and improve the lives of those suffering from injuries both physical and mental.
