2004 Candidate Profile Questionnaire

1. Name

John D. Linnehan

2. Address

157 Shore Road

3. County

Hancock

4. City & Zip

Ellsworth 04605

5. Length of Residence

55 years

6. Office Sought

Senate

7. District #

8. Political Party

Republican

9. Home Phone

207-667-9570

10. Work Phone

207-667-2750

11. E-mail

john@linnehans.com

12. Occupation & Employer

Business owner

13. High School attended

Ellsworth High School

14. Military Service

none

15. College/University attended

University of Maine

16. Previous/current elected or appointed governmental positions.

none

17. Previous/current private-sector experience.

CEO Credit Now Auto Company COO Atlantic Acceptance Corporation COO USA Computer Software Systems CEO Linnehan Investments

18. Reason for seeking office.

I am extremely upset with "politics" in Maine. I want to provide business leadership in our state government, primarily in the areas of finance and economics.

2. Issue Questions

19. What do you think is the ONE (1) most important issue facing the state of Maine?

It is the poor condition of the economy as evidenced by the continually worsening job market. The oppressive tax burden in ALL areas of government, coupled with undisciplined spending is hurting ALL Maine taxpayers financially. Maine has a spending problem NOT a revenue problem! Maine's spending needs to be managed and controlled with disciplined and wise choices.

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?

Reduce taxes(including fees,licences, tariffs,etc), reduce over regulation, prioritize our needs(not our greeds)then reduce spending, reduce the size and scope of government. This will allow private business to use private capital to provide quality jobs and opportunities for our youth and other Maine citizens as well.

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)

Paying off the state debt

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 - Much too high

Property Taxes - Much too high

Sales Taxes - Much too high

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?

Strongly 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?

Strongly oppose

32. Do you support indexing the state minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?

Strongly oppose

33. Do you support privatizing public services wherever a cost-benefit analysis indicates savings for Maine tax-payers while maintaining or improving service delivery?

Strongly favor

34. Do you support a full-time legislature?