Maine House 54

Social media accounts
https://www.facebook.com/repdenisetepler/

Occupation:
Representative

Education:
B.A./M.A. in anthropology, University of Pennsylvania; all course work toward degree in public policy at USM’s Muskie School of Public Service

Community Organizations:
Big Sister with Big Brothers/Big Sisters; chair, Emergency Food and Shelter Program Board (United Way); member, CREA; member, BTLT; member, Congregation Beth Israel

Personal information (hobbies, etc.):
Cooking with local foods. Used to write a cooking column and teach cooking lessons.

Family status:
Married, 5 kids, 3 biological daughters, 2 recently informally adopted sons.

Years in the Legislature: 4

Committee assignments (if elected):
Appropriations and Financial Affairs, Taxation

Q&A

1) What legislation do you support, if any, to address the state’s opiate crisis?
First, we must expand MaineCare. People who are without insurance often cannot access any type of treatment. Making sure that 70,000 more Mainers have a form of insurance will surely help.

2) What legislation do you support, if any, to address failures in the state’s child abuse prevention system?
While some budgetary work may be necessary to address these failures, much of this issue must be addressed within the executive branch, in the management of DHHS, not through legislation.

3) Should schools continue to push forward with proficiency-based diplomas? Why or why not?
This is a decision that, for now, must be up to our individual school systems. The state did not provide enough assistance, fiscal equity, or leadership in dealing with post-secondary institutions.

4) Are you in favor of some type of universal health care for Maine residents? Why, or why not?
I would love to see a nonprofit insurance option provided for all New Englanders who do not have employer-provided insurance. Such a system would have to include more than just Maine to work well.

5) Do you support Question 1 (the 3.8% tax to fund the home care program)? Why, or why not?
I will support the decision of Maine voters on Question 1.

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?

I strongly believe that democratic government relies on reasoned compromise. When people are unwilling to negotiate and take less than everything, we get nowhere. I will continue to compromise.

7) Tell voters something about yourself that they don’t already know, and might surprise them.
I played piccolo in the Syracuse University Orange Marching Band in 1974-75.

Speed Round

Should voters be required to show ID at the polls? No

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