2004 Candidate Profile Questionnaire
1. Name
Al Austin
2. Address
20 Field Road
3. County
Cumberland
4. City & Zip
Harpswell 04079
5. Length of Residence
45 years
6. Office Sought
Senate
7. District #
10
8. Political Party
Republican
9. Home Phone
207-725-7710
10. Work Phone
207-721-9999
11. E-mail
aaustin@chrrealty.com
12. Occupation & Employer
Realtor-CHR Realty
13. High School attended
Brunswick High School
14. Military Service
N/A
15. College/University attended
N/A (Taught real estate brokerage course at University of Maine and New Hampshire College)
16. Previous/current elected or appointed governmental positions.
Past Chairman Harpswell Zoning Board of Appeals
17. Previous/current private-sector experience.
Current President/owner CHR Realty/GMAC Real Estate (31 years) Volunteer -United Way of Mid-Coast Maine Campaign Chair 2003 -Chairman of Board Chamber of Commerce Bath/Brunswick Region -Past President, Shoreline Community Health Services (now Sweetser) -Past Chair, Maine Council Community Mental Health Centers -Past President Brunswick Rotary Club . -Past President Maine Association of Realtors and others
18. Reason for seeking office.
Lifelong committment to participation in and improvement of the communities we serve. Desire to help improve legislative decision making, resulting in ongoing economic expansion, job creation and overall tax relief for all Maine citizens.
2. Issue Questions
19. What do you think is the ONE (1) most important issue facing the state of Maine?
Lack of effective, timely, courageous concensus driven decision making and effective leadership at all levels of government, and in particular the legislature.
20. The 2000 Federal Census shows that 22 % of Maine’s youth between the ages of 20-34 have left the state since 1990 to seek opportunity elsewhere. The national average out-migration for this age group is only 5%. If elected, what do you think state government can do to help keep our youth and prime workforce here in Maine?
Through a planned transition, reduce the overall tax burden, particularly the income tax. Focus on clean technology based business development and business development generally, and provide tax incentives to new start up companies for the critical three year start up period.
21. The constitution of Maine requires a balanced budget. If the state faces a budget shortfall, what do you think the Legislature should do?
Obtain 100% of shortfall by cutting programs/services
22. If the state of Maine has a budget surplus, what would be your top two priorities? (select two)
Setting aside in "rainy day" fund for future budget crisis
Cutting taxes
23. For every $100 of sales, about how much profit do you think the average Maine business makes?
$1-5
24. Do you think the current level of taxes paid by Maine citizens is :
Income Taxes - Too high
Property Taxes - Too high
Sales Taxes - About right
Excise Taxes - Too high
25. Maine’s top corporate income tax is 8.93%, one of the highest in the county. A report released by the research firm Ernst & Young in January 2004 ranks Maine as having the highest State and Local business taxes per dollar of capital income (tax burden) in the country at 24.4%. Do you favor reducing the tax burden on Maine employers?
Strongly favor
26. In the past, Maine unemployment compensation tax rates have led to deficits in the unemployment compensation trust fund. In light of deficits, would you support raising the unemployment compensation tax on employers?
Strongly oppose
27. In 1993 the legislature reformed Maine’s workers’ compensation system. Since that time those reforms have resulted in more than a 43% reduction in workers’ compensation loss cost rate for Maine employers. Yet Maine is still ranked as having the 46th highest workers’ compensation costs in the country. Do you believe Maine must reduce workers’ compensation costs further so that Maine moves closer to the national median for these costs?
Agree
28. Do you favor legislation that requires companies to give part-time and temporary employees all the same benefits (including health benefits, vacation, sick time, etc.) received by regular, full-time employees?
Oppose
29. If you favor legislation that requires companies to give part-time and temporary employees the same benefits as full-time employees, how would you fund such a mandate
Empty
30. If the Legislature requires companies to give part-time and temporary employees the same benefits as full-time employees, what do you think the impact on Maine businesses would be?
Severe
31. Do you support changes in the state minimum wage above the median for all states?
Oppose
32. Do you support indexing the state minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?
Favor
33. Do you support privatizing public services wherever a cost-benefit analysis indicates savings for Maine tax-payers while maintaining or improving service delivery?
Favor
34. Do