THE ISSUES:
Renewable
Energy Research/Development
One of
the leading challenges of our time in Maine and around
the world is transitioning from energy resources
based overwhelmingly on polluting fossil fuels to clean,
renewable energy.
If there
is not going to be national leadership on this issue, then
we must work at the state level to do what we can to reduce
our
dependence
on fossel fuels and increasing our production of clean,
renewable energy for the State of Maine.
Maine
government should be focused on developing and growing
a vibrant Green Economy, not only to improve the environment
but
to
expand our economy and create jobs. An expansion of research
and development in Green Technology will create good-paying
jobs with benefits for Maine people. It's a win-win situation.
As your
State Representative, I will make this one of my top priorities
in Augusta. <top>
Online
Resources:
Energy Programs for Home Owners |
- The
Tax Incentives Assistance Program
The Tax Incentives Assistance
Project (TIAP), sponsored by a coalition of public
interest nonprofit groups, government agencies,
and other organizations in the energy efficiency
field, is designed to give consumers and businesses
information they need to make use of the federal
income tax incentives for energy efficient products
and technologies passed by Congress as part of
the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
- Low
Income Heating Assistance Programs
Lower income households may qualify
for heating assistance and energy improvements
at no cost to them. Moderate-income households
may qualify for low cost energy loans.
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Economic
and Small
Business Development Maine's
small businesses are the heart of Maine,
providing the largest percentage of jobs in our economy.
We must develop and support the economic conditions that
allow businesses to grow and expand - creating
more jobs for
Maine families.
For 12
years, I ran a business in Maine.
I understand the challenges of running a business in our
fine state. I know the cost of adding a job to the local
economy. For
years, we watched health coverage costs increase sometimes
50% in a single year. Combined with increasing taxes, it
makes for a challenging climate - especially for Maine's
small business owners.
In today's
world, we're competing with business around
the
world. If we can't get a handle
on the costs of doing business in Maine, we will continue
to face
sluggish
job creation and we'll continue to see families moving
out of state to find work.
As your
State Representative, I will support economic policies
which reduce healthcare costs and taxes allowing small
businesses to grow,
creating
good paying
jobs with
benefits for the people of Maine.
<top>
Online
Resources:
Energy Programs/Support for Small Business
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Tax
Relief
I've
never talked with a single person in my life who likes
paying taxes. We work hard for our money and want to keep
as much
as we can. Yet we also understand that in order to educate
our society, help care for our elderly and the sick,
keep our water and air clean, maintain our roads and infrastructure,
etc. - we are all asked to contribute
our fair
share.
However,
there comes a point when the burden is too much for the
people to bare. Government is responsible for developing
budgets which are both fiscally and socially responsible.
We cannot expect taxes to continually increase when there
is not an equivalent rise in economic wealth by the people
who pay them.
As your
Representative, I promise to be both fiscally and socially
responsible with our money in Augusta. My priorities would
be to reduce
the property and income taxes for the people of Maine
and to seek out and eliminate wasteful government spending
of our tax payers dollars. <top>
Protecting The Environment
One of
the biggest gifts of living in Maine is the environment
around us. Our mountains, rivers and streams, forests and
our coastlines provide not only scenic beauty but abundant
wildlife habitat.
If science
has taught us anything, it is that we are all integrally
connected with the environment around us. When one part
of the eco-system is impacted, it ripples and
impacts all other parts of the system.
We
have a responsibility as stewards of this land to help
maintain healthy, sustainable environment for our ourselves
and future generations of the great State of Maine. <top>
Access
to Affordable Healthcare
One of
the biggest concerns of Maine citizens today is the skyrocketing
costs for healthcare in Maine. To often, our senior citizens
and our working poor have to make decisions between food
and medicine because they simply cannot afford both.
While
Augusta has started developing solutions for those who
have the
least
ability
to afford
it, too many working people who have health insurance
are seeing their premiums and co-pays increase while their
overall coverage
decreases.
As
your State Representative, I will work to collaborate
with
all
parties impacted by this issue to develop real solutions
that help the people of Maine get access to quality and
affordable healthcare coverage. <top>
Online
Resources:
Healthcare in Maine |
- Maine
Quality Forum on Healthcare
The Maine Quality Forum's
mission is to advocate for high quality
healthcare and help each Maine citizen
make informed healthcare choices.
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