VOTE411 Voter Guide

Maine faces an affordability crisis. Among the ever-rising costs of living, housing stands out as the greatest concern for many Mainers. We need more housing that is affordable at lower and middle-income levels, and we need to keep housing affordable by enabling municipalities to raise needed revenue without increasing property taxes. These are issues that can be tackled at the state level.

Additionally, the Trump administration has been violating and threatening our civil rights and right to free and fair elections. In response, we can strengthen state laws to protect our rights and hold violators accountable. We can also pass laws to keep our elections free from the overwhelming influence of corporate and dark money.

Towns like Yarmouth are often viewed as affluent and not in need of a fair share of state funding. Yet many of our residents cannot afford to stay in their homes. The disparate impacts of property tax burdens in our community has caused social and political divisions, notably during budget season and bond referenda.

Here are several solutions I’ve been working on and advocating for:

(1) a regionally shared 1% sales tax with a corresponding Affordability Credit for lower-income households,

(2) a constitutional amendment to allow different tax rates on non-resident second homes, and

(3) increased state funding for regional expenses that local taxpayers shoulder, such as homeless shelters and county jails.

I take pride in my public service. Whether I serve as a federal prosecutor, town councilor or state legislator, my approach is the same: I work hard to study issues, solve problems creatively, draft effective proposals, engage with my colleagues and build consensus around challenging issues. Because I am running unopposed, I have been spending my time meeting with legislators, community members and nonprofits and developing my priority legislation so I can hit the ground running on Day One.