2006 Candidate Profile Questionnaire
1. Name
Susan H. Wasserott
2. Identifying Number (from your letter)
 
3. Address
7 Ledge Wood Drive
4. City & Zip
Woolwich
5. County
Sagadahoc
6. Length of Residence
10+ years
7. Office Sought
House
8. District #
65
9. Political Party
R
10. Home Phone
207-443-1203
11. Work Phone
207-373-3617
12. E-mail
wasserottrep@suscom-maine.net
13. Occupation & Employer
Human Resources Specialist at Mid Coast Hospital & CHANS Home Health Care
14. Military Service
n/a
15. High School attended
Lake-Lehman High School
16. College/University attended
B.A. at Wilkes College (now Wilkes University)/ M.S. at University of Scranton
17. Previous/Current private sector experience

CURRENT:  Mid Coast Hospital - Human Resources Specialist/Management Training Coordinator/Human Resources Manager

PREVIOUS:  Kennebec Company -- Design Assistant

United Way of Mid Coast Maine – Loaned Executive

SATHERS, Inc -- Personnel Manager

Mesko Glass Company -- Human Resources Manager

Chromatex Inc -- Director of Human Resources

EOTC (Equal Opportunity Training Commission) Life Skills Educator

Vanguard Group -- Client Communications Specialist/Corporate Trainer/Investor Information Specialist

Widener University -- Admissions Counselor

 
18. Previous/Current elected or appointed governmental positions.
n/a
2. Issue Questions
19. What do you think is the ONE (1) most important issue facing the state of Maine?
High Tax Burden for people of Maine
20. The most recent 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 tax burden, so there is greater incentive for businesses to come to Maine and create good jobs. Reduce regulatory burden on businesses, so there is greater incentive for businesses to cove to Maine, AND so that small businesses can thrive.
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 75% of shortfall by cutting programs & services and 25% by raising taxes & fees
22. If the state of Maine has a budget surplus, what would be your top two priorities? (select two)
Paying off the state debt
Refund excess taxes to taxpayers
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 state and local taxes and fees paid by Maine citizens is:
Income Taxes - Too high
Property Taxes - Too high
Sales Taxes - About right
Excise Taxes - Much too high
Various Fees - Too high
25. Maine’s top corporate income tax is 8.93%, one of the highest in the country. 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 corporate tax burden on Maine employers?
Favor
26. Most businesses in Maine pay taxes on business income through their individual income tax returns (especially small businesses)and Maine has one of the highest marginal tax rates on personal income. Do you favor reducing the tax burden for these Maine employers in order to fuel job growth?
Strongly favor
27. Would you support increasing unemployment compensation program (UI) benefits if those changes resulted in an UI tax increase?
I support improving the UI program, but not increased costs to employers.
28. In 1993 the legislature reformed Maine’s workers’ compensation system. Since that time those reforms have resulted in significant reductions in workers’ compensation loss cost rate for Maine employers. Yet Maine is still ranked as having the 14th highest workers’ compensation premiums 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
29. Do you favor legislation that would require companies to give part-time and temporary employees the same benefits as full-time employees?
Not Sure
30. In 2006 legislation was introduced to establish a minimum wage concept referred to as "Liveable Wages." State government would determine annually what wage levels are "liveable wages." Do you support state government mandating a "livable wage"?
Oppose
31. Do you support privatizing public services wherever a cost-benefit analysis indicates savings for Maine taxpayers while maintaining or improving service delivery?
Strongly favor
32. Do you favor legislation that imposes new mandates and penalties on companies that receive state economic development assistance or contract with the state for delivery of services?
Oppose
33. How do you feel Maine has done in creating laws and regulations to protect the environment? Are they: