What is one new policy that the state should embrace to make housing easier to build and afford?
The State should consider reducing the layers of permitting requirements for new home construction which, in Maine, adds up to 25% of the total cost of new builds. A specific policy that would help in the short term: we should bring back a program which assisted senior citizens to afford their sky-rocketing property taxes and remain in their homes. The Property Tax Stabilization Program froze property taxes for seniors at their current level and it was in effect for only one year before the majority party ended the fully-funded program. At the same time, the same amount of tax-payer dollars ($40M) was funneled to a new housing project for illegal immigrants along the coast. We need to prioritize citizens who have lived here and paid taxes for years…by freezing any increases.
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?
There are more choices for electricity generation than solar and wind. Maine lives in a wood basket that is being underutilized: biomass should be an important alternative. Hydro has also been artificially suppressed. Maine has a cap on hydro generation, a method which produces 24/7, 365 days a year—far more efficient than solar. If that arbitrary cap was lifted, the State could generate and purchase hydro power for a fraction of the cost of solar power. Rate payers can see the cost of our Green Energy policy on page 2 of their utility bill under Public Policy Charge—that money is not held by the utility, but passed through to the State. For the sake of rate payers facing our cold winter months, the State MUST re-examine its Green Energy policy.
Should the state make changes to its tax laws? If so, outline your priorities.
Yes, the state should make changes. Keep in mind, Maine has more senior citizens per capita than any other state (including Florida!). And Aroostook County is the “oldest county” in the State. This means a very high percentage of citizens here are living on fixed incomes. That’s why it’s imperative and a priority that property taxes are frozen over the next few years for this group that includes our parents and grandparents.
Since the state has had huge surpluses over the past couple of years, we should consider giving it back to Mainers in the form of income tax cuts or direct refunds…rather than the current philosophy of creating expensive new programs and increased welfare. That is only encouraging people NOT to go to work, and a declining workforce impacts all of us.
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?
It’s unimaginable that something so horrific happened in our state known for its safe communities. Maine hasn’t changed, but the system certainly failed. The truth is, our place on the map doesn’t matter—mental illness, uncontrolled anger and drug abuse leading to violence can strike anywhere, so we need to be better prepared. That includes investing in counseling services and treatment facilities for those in need starting at an early age. Last month we learned due to financial problems, Fort Kent’s hospital will be eliminating the children’s psychiatric unit. That’s a short-sighted, ill-advised answer. Attracting more psychologists, nurses and others, is imperative. I would also like to see a forum held of victims/families to hear directly from them what services would be helpful.
Describe a unique attribute or area of focus that you will bring to the Legislature.
My legislative experience, leadership skills and common sense are my greatest strengths. Legislators are servants of the people, just as I served the public during my 20+ years as News Director at WAGM TV. Here’s a secret: we didn’t make a lot of money; I did it for the feeling of sitting at the dinner table with my family and sharing the day’s news. Likewise, legislators are paid enough to cover expenses and little else. My work as Dean of Development and College Relations at NMCC helped me to become a strong supporter of vocational, trade and technology education. My record of service reaches into the community with membership in Rotary, the Hope and Justice Project, and the Aroostook House of Comfort. It will be my sincere honor to again work for the people as State Senator.