Bradley S. Moulton

Republican

Office Sought: Representative – District 4
Age: 64
Occupation: Attorney
Education: York HS, BA, JD, MCRP
Family: Married, 3 children-all married, 2 grandchildren
Hometown: York

Political experience

In two prior legislative terms I demonstrated an aptitude for working with stakeholders and crafting solutions, often with bi-partisan participation. This included work on bills of other legislators of both parties. I sponsored 29 bills, including 16 for constituents, of which over 10 have become law. I earned strong support from business and environmental groups. In my last term, I appeared in 13 legislative committees on my bills and those of other legislators. I prioritize constituent issues above any personal or professional agenda on a broad spectrum.

Why are you running for office?

My family has been part of York for generations. I focused my education and early work experience in Pennsylvania, Maine, and our nation’s capitol, on public policy and service, which I brought home to Maine and have used in my 36 years as an attorney to improve the lives and welfare of all Mainers. I worked at positions in executive and judicial branches, both state and local. Those positions included two internships in Maine child protective services, reserve police officer, transportation, criminal court support, bail commissioner, and legislative analyst. My volunteer work in a local land trust, Ogunquit Playhouse Foundation, and county child abuse prevention council are a demonstration of giving back to community. This has provided me with both the temperament and preparation for the legislature.

• 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?
  • Other

    You cannot place the cart before the horse. Income tax and other broad-based taxes, user fees, federal programs, and other revenue sources are all part of state revenues for programs. While I voted for income tax reform eliminating the state income tax for lower income workers and a modest reduction for high income earners, I was the sole Republican in the 125th Legislature that voted against a budget surplus fund that would eventually eliminate the income tax because it lacked a coherent strategy for funding services

• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • No

    Like too many special interest group proposals, this proposal has too many defects which the Legislature, our public policy branch of government, should address after giving everyone a chance to participate in open debate and consideration. Definitions and lack of a better defined method charging for background checks are a portion of my concerns

• 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?
  • No

    Special interest groups have charged in when politics sidelined this issue. The business community tried to work with towards an increase but ended up defeated. The Legislature demonstrated an inability to craft a solution, but passage of this measure will force severe changes for businesses.

• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • No

    Government does a poor job regulating three so-called vices: tobacco, alcohol, and gambling. Adding another without a lot of further work places another strain on a state that does not now address many health and welfare needs.

• 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?
  • Even before the reforms the current Legislature adopted have been implemented and tested for results, there is a push for more. While I am open to consideration of such measures, I must weigh them against cost cutting measures that have hampered other state programs going back over both this and the last administration.