Kristen S. Cloutier

Maine House 60

Social media accounts
www.facebook.com/ksc74house/

Occupation:
Assistant director, Harward Center for Community Partnerships, Bates College.

Education:
M.A., leadership studies, University of Southern Maine; B.A., journalism, Northeastern University.

Community Organizations:
Lewiston City Council; Lewiston Area Public Health Committee; Lewiston and Auburn Railroad Committee; Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments General Assembly; Androscoggin County Budget Committee; Community Advisory Board, University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College; Lewiston 21st Century Advisory Board, Lewiston School Department; Public Health Community Stakeholders Group; Green & Healthy Homes Learning Network; New Mainers Community Collaborative; Maine NEW Leadership Program.

Personal information (hobbies, etc.):
Reading, spending time with family, dancing, traveling.

Family status:
Married with one daughter and two dogs.

Years in the Legislature: None.

Committee assignments (if elected):
None listed.

Q&A

1) What legislation do you support, if any, to address the state’s opiate crisis?
LD 1430, which supports the hub-and-spoke model to improve access, treatment, and recovery for those with substance use disorder. We also need to support a cost-settled payment system for services.

2) What legislation do you support, if any, to address failures in the state’s child abuse prevention system?
LD 1922, LD 1923 and LD 1924, which will help attract qualified employees to caseworker positions, alleviate overwhelming caseloads, and provide greater support to current caseworkers.

3) Should schools continue to push forward with proficiency-based diplomas? Why or why not?
I support the decision to leave this choice to individual school districts. PBL holds a lot of value if implemented correctly. However, mandated without resources, it left many districts floundering.

4) Are you in favor of some type of universal health care for Maine residents? Why, or why not?
I believe that health care is a basic human right. A universal health care system would allow us to streamline our health care system and prioritize better services for all patients over administration.

5) Do you support Question 1 (the 3.8% tax to fund the home care program)? Why, or why not?
I support the theory behind this initiative 100 percent. I have concerns about cost and the fact that it does not prioritize funding existing Medicaid programs for the elderly and those with disabilities.

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? Yes! I would say that one of my greatest strengths and joys is collaboration with others. I plan to take my ideals, strengths and joys with me to the State House and to use them wisely and often.

7) Tell voters something about yourself that they don’t already know, and might surprise them.
Completely unrelated to anything political, I am an “ace” at parallel parking, and insanely proud of it.