Maine House 46

Social media accounts:                                                   N/A

Occupation:
Pharmacist, independent consultant.

Education:
BS, pharmacy.

Community Organizations:
First Parish Congregational Mens Club, Pownal; North Yarmouth Congregational Church Mens Club; Friend of Skyline Farms, North Yarmouth; Durham Rod & Gun Club.

Personal information (hobbies, etc.):
Piano, woodworking, working on our wood lot, hunting, fishing

Family status:
Married.

Years in the Legislature:                                                                                            Four.

Committee assignments (if elected):
Taxation Committee, Health & Human Services.

Q&A

1) What legislation do you support, if any, to address the state’s opiate crisis?
I supported naloxone for substance users to get another chance at life, pro life is pro life. I supported opiate health models to help 1,000 substance users as a start. We have much more to do.

2) What legislation do you support, if any, to address failures in the state’s child abuse prevention system?
On HHS we have implemented many. The children cannot speak for themselves, and Gov. LePage has had very strong and necessary child protective bills that we passed.

3) Should schools continue to push forward with proficiency-based diplomas? Why or why not?
No, I supported bills that gave teachers the priority to use their professionalism to teach and students to learn. Setting bars are good if they don’t stifle growth, and we have stifled teachers.

4) Are you in favor of some type of universal health care for Maine residents? Why, or why not?
I believe that a competitive market will stimulate better benefits and more competition from insurers that will reduce overall costs. Picking single payers adds cost, regulation and red tape.

5) Do you support Question 1 (the 3.8% tax to fund the home care program)? Why, or why not?
Absolutely not. Arbitrarily assuming that a certain income threshold is capable of paying more taxes is how Maine has continually driven business and successful enterprise away.

6) Are you frustrated by the political sniping, exaggeration and even lies between the parties and their supporters that have threatened progress usually reached through respect and reasoned compromise? If so, what will you personally do to make the situation better?                                                                                       The press is doing more to stimulate that notion more than any politician. We passed hundreds of bills, and maybe fought over 20. There is still a lot of compromise and progress made at the state level.

7) Tell voters something about yourself that they don’t already know, and might surprise them.
I make homemade bread by hand, and replaced the entire valve and lifters on my own mower. I will never pay for something I can do myself. I never expect anyone to do my work for me.

Speed Round

Should voters be required to show ID at the polls?                                               Yes.

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