1. What are your three top priorities?

1. Working to create a stronger economy and jobs
2. Supporting healthcare coverage to all Mainers that is comprehensive, affordable and accessible
3. Promoting alternative energy investments and protecting the environment


2. The past few years, Maine Housing Authority has utilized the HOME Fund (Housing Opportunities for Maine) to help finance fundamental programs as loans for first-time homebuyers, housing for people who are homeless, affordable rental housing, home repair, and housing for people with special needs. The Fund also helps finance programs that makes homes safer for children and makes homes accessible for people with disabilities. Over the last two years, the legislature has considered taking money from the HOME Fund in order to balance the budget. If elected, would you support the protection of the HOME fund? If so, what other ways would you suggest balancing the budget?

Yes, I would protect the home fund. I believe the Home Fund is a critical way that Maine makes affordable housing a priority.  Buying a home is one of the most important decisions a person can make, and probably the best investment of a lifetime.

Balancing the budget is a HUGE question and I would suggest:

1. Increasing lodging and meals taxes from its current rate of 7%
2. Increasing the range of items that are taxed by Maine’s sale’s tax
3. Creating a vibrant and strong economy where businesses in Maine  can be successful. We need jobs with good paying wages. To achieve this, we need to concentrate on sustaining the businesses we have, incubate new businesses, and attract new businesses.

3. A major concern among young people is the rising cost of health care. 17,000 more Mainers are now uninsured since HMOs first arrived in Maine.
State-funded health care programs like MaineCare is facing consistent cuts, while publicly financed heath insurance like Dirigo, has a current freeze on new applicants. Many First World countries have supported comprehensive health care systems that cover every person with health care. Within the United States, states like Massachusetts and Maine have taken steps towards universal, comprehensive health care coverage. Would you support state legislation for universal single payer health care in Maine?

Maine is one of the first states to take forward steps towards providing affordable, quality health care to everyone. However, we could do more. I do support universal, single-payer health care, and I think through bi-partisan effort we need to examine the most cost-effective way to make it a reality.

Maine’s  health care produce must provide coverage that is comprehensive, affordable and accessible to Mainer’s. Patient centered health care with good choices is what I want for Maine and our country.

The biggest stumbling block to getting universal single payer coverage is  the lack of cost containment in our hospitals and greed by our former private insurance company. An example of the lack of cost containment is in our Maine’s hospitals and rural medical centers we have more MRI machines than all the other New England states combined. Why? Hospitals are non-profits and have to spend a percentage of their profits to retain their non-profit status, and so they spend and spend without any incentive to hold cost down for patients. Then with all of these MRI machines, hospitals have to use them and so people get MRI’s for everything which in the end drives up the cost for everyone. The greed of Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield is criminal. In the second year of Dirigo Health, Anthem made $10 million in profit off  the backs of Maine’s neediest. This is unacceptable and Maine must do better!

4. It seems that every month there is another recall or concern about children's toys or consumer products. The fact is that Maine families are exposed to hazardous toxic chemicals found in the consumer products that we use everyday. Toxic chemicals in the environment are among the causes of critical health problems that can be prevented. What would you do to help Maine ensure that hazardous chemicals in everyday consumer products are replaced with safer substitutes?

If the toy originated in Maine, I believe the company should be forced to eliminate any toxic chemicals from its  product and find an alternative. The  regulation enforcing the offending Maine company must include  timeline and  be enforceable. If the offending company does not comply then it  would face penalties.

Additionally, all products originating from Maine should besafe for the consumer, manufactured under sound environmental standards and without disrupting our environment.  I would support any measure that ensures t manufacturers are accountable to rules and regulations governing best practices.

Toys from other countries must be better monitored by the federal government. Maine and most states do not have the resources to create a comprehensive system for every product. Yet, as a State Senator I will work to ensure that we push the federal government to create stronger standards for our most vulnerable assets, our children.

Additionally, I would encourage consumers to take a stand by not purchasing harmful toys and products thereby influencing domestic and international company’s production choices. 

5. The State of Maine is currently a participant in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, an innovative project geared toward cutting global warming emissions by establishing a cap-and-trade system for power plant emissions.
Do you support Maine's participation in RGGI? Would you support the establishment of an economy-wide cap-and-trade program in Maine that would cut greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors (i.e. transportation, commercial and residential heating, etc.)?

Yes and I would make sure we have the best minds creating new regulations. Maine should look at other states for guidance to models, experiences and best practices. 

6. The Maine Department of Transportation estimates that it faces a shortfall of more than $2 billion to simply maintain the existing transportation infrastructure. What, if any, funding solution do you support:

LD 2019, An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on Funding Passenger Rail, which would secure funding for transit by dedicating a portion of revenues from general fund sources like meals and lodging, sales tax, and car rental fees?
Using Maine Turnpike Authority funds, which are currently dedicated to highway maintenance and expansion, for all transportation projects, including transit?
Raising car rental fees to subsidize transit?

6a. Please detail other funding options you might propose or for which you might advocate:

I strongly support seeking alternative transportation options. I would support all three options:  LD 2019, using MTA funds, and raising rental car fees.

I truly am glad that gas and oil are at plus $3 and $4 because it  will finally make our state and country come the realization  that we need to invest in mass transit.

Other possible funding for alternative transportation would be to take a penny from Maine's current gas tax.  What drives me crazy is that Maine and this country do not have a problem subsidizing roads for vehicles, but has little tolerance for subsidizing trains, buses, and other forms of alternative transportation.

7. With the state facing a $200 million revenue shortfall in the current biennium (a projection that may change when April receipts are tallied),
Do you support increasing the sales tax in order to avoid balancing the budget entirely through program cuts? If you do not support a tax increase of any kind – and given that “enhanced government efficiencies” will provide only very modest savings if any at all -- which programs do you propose to cut and by how much?

I support expanding our sales tax base to include many exemptions that exist today. It would be easy to just say, yes, let’s raise the sales tax to 6% again, but it is rather regressive in nature and I do not think Mainers have the appetite right now for any broad based tax increases.

Expanding our sale tax base, will create a more sustainable and reliable funding stream to our state. We can add consistent revenue to our state coffers by removing those exemptions, carved out by lobbyists, which most likely will be paid by tourists or those who can afford it, e.g. lift tickets, yacht services, massages, et.c. , I also strongly support Maine increasing taxes on meals and lodging, presently set  at 7%. And I would make a portion of the meals and lodging tax a local option sales tax. This would give communities an incentive to make more investments in tourism and other related industries.


8. As municipalities continue to provide what are increasingly expensive public goods (like education, police and fire protection), what is your plan for controlling growth in property taxes while maintaining these fundamental government services?

Before I answer the question I want to frame my view Portland, Maine:

Portland, Maine is one the best gems in the whole country. Taxes are part of life and I strongly feel we are getting a great return on what we pay with our property taxes. Think about a family who pays $3,500-$5,000 in taxes and sends three kids to our schools. For their taxes they are getting a great public education, transportation, police and fire protection, trash and recycling pick-up, clean parks, good roads (sometimes), libraries, and access to the waterfront.

Understanding that  if you don’t have kids, you might be dismayed by your property taxes, but all of these same services are still relevant aside from schools. Additionally, because of Portland’s investments we have a culturally relevant and hip city that many singles love to live in.

That said, since doing doors, it is apparent that people feel their taxes are too high (and most would say out of control). I had one mom with a newborn in her arms tell me that the taxes in Portland were making raising a family and living in Portland feel like punishment!

I believe that tax reform is necessary on both the state and municipal level. Most people only talk about their property taxes. My plans to keep property taxes in check are these:

1) LD 1 – it is not being marketed so implementation and results are low; 
2) Circuit Breaker – not being marketed and so fewer people are getting real relief;
3) Local Option Sales Taxes on lodging and meals;
4) Social Entrepreneurs Tax – Portland tax payers are paying for all the social programs that take care of not only Portland residents but many from all across the state. Our social programs are the glue to most of Maine’s neediest clients. We must have the state contribute more funding for the services Portland is providing for the entire State.

9. The Opportunity Maine program will allow students who graduate from any Maine college or University, and continues to live, work and pay taxes here, to be reimbursed for student loan payments through a state income tax credit or an employer tax credit.
Projections show that in ten years, this strategy could cost the state as much as $55 million annually, but the return on that investment is conservatively estimated at $75 million in new state and local tax revenues and decreased social expenditures. If elected, will you commit yourself to protecting this long-term economic development strategy, without any reduction in the credit’s size or availability?

Yes, I would support any measure that protects a more educated workforce and higher revenues for the state. Opportunity Maine is a sound long term investment and the Opportunity Maine program needs time to mature. 

 I was a founding member of Opportunity Maine and continue to be active in the organization.

10. Portland schools are seeing less funding from the state due, in part, to increasing value of residential and commercial property.
Although property valuation is a measure of taxable resources, it is not necessarily a good indicator of the ability of taxpayers to meet the funding needs of our schools. What are your thoughts on how to balance local and state contributions to school costs?

Public Schools are the backbone of our communities. Public schools that perform well sustain and attract families of all income levels. Yet, today we are facing a crisis in our schools across Maine due to infrastructure problems, high oil prices, and healthcare. To balance the local and state contributions I would concentrate on these tactics:

1. Statewide: Work hard to increase the percentage of money  Portland obtains in the state funding formula. Right now Portland does not get enough funding as the largest and most diverse school district in Maine. Some stats: 28% of our 7,100 students are English as Learning Language and 43% of our students are on free and reduced lunch.
2. Locally: We must sustain and attract more property owners with families. We must promote the city of Portland as a great place to live, raise a family and work!
3. Locally: We must work with our private companies and fundraise. Local companies could financially support our public schools and we need to ask!
4. Locally: We must encourage more volunteerism in our public schools. Maine has a wonderful opportunity for intergenerational learning. We are the oldest state in the country and should find opportunities to engage retireries in the Greater Portland. 

11. What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of the state's new school district consolidation law, particularly as it affects Portland?

Growing up in the rural town of Dexter I truly understand consolidation. SAD #46 has one elementary school, middle school, and regional high school for six towns. It was not always this way, but over time each community around Dexter closed their elementary and middle schools and bused their students to Dexter. Yet, even in SAD #46 there are only 380 students in the high school and just 1077 students in the entire system.

Maine is at a crossroads since there are fewer students in our schools and yet we have over 280 school districts in Maine. Rural and urban Maine  are over capacity in terms of schools, school boards, school administration, and necessary infrastructure required for our schools.

Portland is no exception to overcapacity. We have 2 island schools, 8 neighborhood elementary schools, 3 middles schools, and 4 high schools (this does not include Cheverus and Waynflete). The Portland student population is declining and our ability to pay for all of the needs of our students and infrastructure is no longer feasible.

Due to Portland’s relatively large student size, 7,100 students, we are not required to consolidate yet; we were required to provide an alternative plan for cost savings.

Consolidation(cost savings) strengths specific to Portland are:
1. Selling properties that are no longer functional to running our schools, like the supply warehouse on Homestead Avenue;
2. Regional approach to maintenance of bus fleet;
3. Portland staff taking over maintenance (from outside vendor) of systems like boilers and air conditioning;
4. Expanding outside district revenue at Casco Bay High School and the West School special educational services.
5. The commitment of Portland’s schools to implement any energy efficiency programs in our schools. 

Consolidation (cost savings) weaknesses in particular to Portland are:
1. It is not requiring the city of Portland to have the real tough conversation of closing one or more neighborhood schools;
2. Because Portland is exempt from consolidation, we are not thinking regionally enough with our surrounding towns on cost cutting measures and efficiency. 

12. Given Mainers’ struggle to balance work with family care responsibilities would you support:

Paid sick days to full and part-time workers
Paid family and medical leave
Legislation that allows workers to request flexible work schedules without employer retaliation

Yes, I would support all these initiatives.

13. Do you support current Maine law (22 M.R.S.A. § 1502), which allows minors to consent on their own behalf for health care including contraceptive counseling, mental health care and substance abuse treatment?

Yes.

14. Currently seventeen states fund abortion care for poor women on the same or similar terms as other pregnancy-related and general health services in their state-run Medicaid program.
Maine’s Medicaid program only covers abortion care when the life of the pregnant woman is at risk or she is the victim of rape or incest. Would you support funding abortion care for women covered by Medicaid in Maine?

Yes.

15. There is a significant move in Europe, Alaska, and Southeast Asia toward the independent certification of fisheries as sustainably-harvested.
In effect, consumer demand for sustainable fisheries is moving faster than regulatory bodies to save fisheries from overfishing. New England is behind the rest of the world in this regard; Maine has no independently certified fishery. Would you support a similar move toward independent certification in Maine?

Yes. Foremost, Maine has some of the most sought after seafood products in the world, including Maine lobster and Maine shrimp. I believe independent certification and greater public awareness is critical. Maine’s seafood is part of our brand, culture and allure.  An independent certified fishery would also keep our Maine products keeping their market value and more importantly keep sound fishing practices so that our fishing commodities do not become extinct.

16. What do you see as the biggest challenge for Maine fisheries over the next five years? Biggest opportunity?

Maine faces three challenges:
1) Over fishing;
2) Oil and gas prices are forcing many fisherman to retire;
3) Maine’s regulations are stronger than our New England neighbors and this is forcing Maine’s fleet to Massachusetts. 

The opportunity:
Through the work at Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI), Casco Bay is one of the healthiest aquatic systems in the entire world. Our opportunity is to support the GMRI research and collaboration with the fishing industry intact. Maine’s fishing industry is not faring well, but if we continue these sound practices, then over time our fishing industry will rebound.   .

17. Do you favor creating a path of citizenship that allows undocumented immigrants to come forward and begin the process of permanent residency and then legal citizenship?

Yes.