Doretta Colburn

Maine House 71

Social media accounts:
Facebook, Doretta Colburn for Maine House; www.DorettaforHouse.com

Occupation:
Farmer, business woman.

Education:
Masters of divinity, Yale.

Community Organizations:
Board member, Waterford Library; board member, Waterford World’s Fair; life member, Waterford Historical Society; life member, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

Personal information (hobbies, etc.):
I enjoy gardening, hiking, reading, boating, knitting, snowshoeing in the winter with my dog.

Family status:
Married with three grown children.

Years in the Legislature: None.

Committee assignments (if elected):
Agriculture, Education.

Q&A

1) What legislation do you support, if any, to address the state’s opiate crisis?
Prescription monitoring is one part of the answer, however, these should be done alongside programs such as the “hub and spoke” and needle exchange programs offering entry points for help.

2) What legislation do you support, if any, to address failures in the state’s child abuse prevention system?
The establishment of a professional panel of medical, educational and social work professionals to foster ongoing and updated review will add a beneficial element of oversight to this critical issue.

3) Should schools continue to push forward with proficiency-based diplomas? Why or why not?
I support proficiency-based diplomas, but for true success our schools must be more equally state-supported in order to bridge socio-economic gaps so that all have access to an excellent education.

4) Are you in favor of some type of universal health care for Maine residents? Why, or why not?
Accessible and affordable health care needs to be a right for every Mainer. No one should make important medical decisions based on whether they can afford to pay. Health care for all benefits all.

5) Do you support Question 1 (the 3.8% tax to fund the home care program)? Why, or why not?
While home care is very important, funding by taxing a select group poses other concerns. We should be looking more closely at a thorough plan for such care and a more responsible means to fund it.

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? As a former educator and pastor, how I work with others has been shaped by listening, respecting and discovering common ground upon which we can work together as a team for the betterment of all.

7) Tell voters something about yourself that they don’t already know, and might surprise them.
I raise bison and organic produce. Part of my love for the environment began when I first hiked Mt. Washington at 5 years old. One of my greatest enjoyments was later hiking Mt. Katahdin’s Knife-Edge.