Benjamin Chipman

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Senator – District 27
Age: 41
Occupation: Community Organizer, Property Manager, Legislator
Education: Graduated from University of Maine 1997
Family: Single
Hometown: Portland

Political experience

Maine House of Representatives 2010-present
Portland Charter Commission 2009-2010
Legislative Aide, Maine State House 2002-2006

Why are you running for office?

As an elected member of the Maine House of Representatives since 2010, I have the experience and leadership skills necessary to be an effective State Senator. Building on the relationships I have with other legislators, I will continue to collaborate and work together to get results on the issues that matter to the residents of Portland.

• 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.

    The state income tax is a major source of funding for services that Maine residents benefit from including road and bridge repair and education funding. The governor’s proposal would require a major increase and expansion of the sales tax which everyone pays regardless on their income. I prefer keep the income tax and base it on ability to pay with different income tax rates based on income levels. Higher incomes should be taxed at a higher rate, lower incomes at a lower rate.

• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • Yes
• 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 current minimum wage is too low. This proposal raises the wage to $9.00 and then raises it by $1.00 per year over the next 3 years. It provides a much needed pay increase to workers while reducing the impact on businesses by phasing it in over time. After 2020 the minimum wage would be tied to inflation so as the cost of living increases so will the wage at the same rate. I think this proposal is well thought out and is a reasonable approach.

• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • Yes
• 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?
  • No,
    The state is not doing enough. Drug addiction is ruining peoples lives and is responsible for a lot of the crime in our neighborhoods. We must to step up the the plate in a much more significant way to address this issue. We should provide access to drug addiction treatment to anyone who needs it. We should expand existing treatment centers and build more facilities where needed. We also should increase drug education programs with an increased focus on opiates.