16.
Previous/current elected or
appointed governmental
positions.
NONE
17.
Previous/current private-sector
experience.
OWN
AND OPERATE SIMONES' HOT DOG STAND INC. IN
LEWISTON. A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS. THIS IS OUR 96
YEAR IN BUSINESS. I ALSO OWN A CONVENIENCE STORE
IN DOWNTOWN LEWISTON.
18.
Reason for seeking office.
MAINE
HAS BEEN GOOD TO MY FAMILY AND ME, HOWEVER I
FEEL WE NEED TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION THAT WE ARE
GOING IN, SO ALL THE PEOPLE OF MAINE CAN
BENEFIT. I HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF REAL WORLD
EXPERIENCE AND I AM EAGER TO PUT THIS ENERGY TO
USE. MAINE HAS ITS SHARE OF PROBLEMS. OUR TAXES
ARE TOO HIGH, HEALTH INSURANCE IS TOO EXPENSIVE
AND WE ARE NOT DOING ENOUGH TO ATTRACT NEW
INDUSTRIES AND JOBS. I INTEND TO FOCUS MY
ATTENTION ON THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES TO ENSURE
THAT MAINE HAS A STRONG AND VITAL ECONOMY THAT
ALLOWS OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT HERE
RATHER THAN OUT OF STATE.
2.
Issue Questions
19.
What do you think is the ONE (1)
most important issue facing the
state of Maine?
UNCONTROLLED
SPENDING.
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?
EDUCATION
ATTRACT BUSINESSES AND JOBS LOOK AT THE STATES
THAT ARE ATTRACTING OUR YOUTH AND USE IT AS A
MODEL.
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
Paying off the
state debt
23.
For every $100 of sales, about
how much profit do you think the
average Maine business makes?
$5-10
24.
Do you think the current level
of taxes paid by Maine citizens
is :
Income Taxes - Much
too high
Property Taxes - Much
too high
Sales Taxes - About
right
Excise Taxes - Much
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?
Strongly 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?
