Ann Dorney

Democrat

Office Sought: Representative – District 111
Age: 63
Occupation: Physician
Education: M.D.
Family: Married, 2 grown children
Hometown: Norridgewock

Political experience

I was a state representative in this district from 2012-2014

Why are you running for office?

I have been a family physician in Skowhegan for 34 years and have heard first hand about concerns from people in my district. We have many challenges in Somerset County, including high unemployment, increasing drug addiction, many young people moving out of our communities and many people trying to live on fixed incomes. We also have a many positives , including a caring community,and great natural resources.

• Income Tax: Gov. LePage would like to lower Maine’s income tax rate and eventually eliminate it, by increasing the state’s sales tax and expanding it across a broader range of goods and services. Do you support this proposal?
  • No

    No one likes to pay taxes, but people are willing to pay taxes that are fair. If you make more money, it is only fair that you pay more. Sales tax affects the poor disproportionately. I would support increasing the sales tax across a broader range of goods and services, however for stability in our tax revenue.

• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • Other

    In general, I support background checks. I do not support the referendum on 3, however. My understanding of this referendum is that it would make it illegal to lend someone like your spouse a firearm for a legal purpose, like hunting.

• Minimum Wage: In light of the ballot question facing voters this fall, do you support raising the state’s minimum wage from $7.50 to $12 an hour by 2020?
  • Yes

    The minimum wage has not gone up for a long time, but expenses have. There are many people trying to support their families on a minimum wage, which is not possible.

• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • Other

    I am worried about the increasing numbers of pregnant women that I see in my office who are smoking marijuana during pregnancy and am concerned about increasing marijuana use among teens, which has happened in states that have legalized marijuana. . I think that marijuana will likely be legalized; we just need to be sure that drivers are not impaired, and we need to be sure that people are educated about the dangers of marijuana (like in pregnancy and breastfeeding).

• Addiction/Overdoses: Do you believe the state is doing enough in response to the rise in heroin/opiate addiction and overdoses? If not, what else should be done?
  • Absolutely not. I am a physician who treats opiate addicts in my office and am on a County task force dealing with opiate addiction. We need more treatment programs, more Medicated Assistance providers , sober housing, and mentoring programs. It is not unusual to have 5 people call my office in a day looking for help for their addiction.