Bruce Bickford

Republican

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Representative – District 63
Age: 60
Occupation: Retired
Education: High school graduate
Family: Married to wife, Margie, for 31 years; 4 adult children Lisa, Adam, Brian, Carrie; grandsons Brayden, Jack
Hometown: Auburn

Political experience

2 terms Auburn City Council, 3 terms as your State Representative

Why are you running for office?

After growing up in Auburn and witnessing the changes that have occurred and the property taxes rise out of control, I decided in 2005 I could make a difference. 2 terms on the City Council and 3 terms later in the Maine House I believe I have made a difference for the residents of Auburn. I have listened and will continue to listen to all the people I represent. As a member of the Taxation Committee I was able to reach across the aisle and get meaningful tax reform in 2010 and again in 2014. I do not pretend to have all the answers. I represent you whether you are Republican, Democrat, Green, Libertarian, or unenrolled. It’s not about the party. It’s about the people.

• 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?
  • Yes

    We have to be extremely careful as we move forward to the goal of eliminating the state’s income tax. There are many goods that I feel should be tax exempt just as grocery staple are. For example personal hygiene supplies. I do agree that a broader sales tax is necessary as it allows the tourists visiting Maine to have a share in the costs associated with Maine being such an attraction.

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

    I shouldn’t have to pay for a background check to let my neighbor borrow my hunting rifle and then another background check when he/she returns it.

• 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?
  • Other

    The minimum wage should be increased. The way it is proposed in this initiative is going to severely hurt the service industry. I managed businesses in this industry for 35 years and know firsthand that servers relying on tipped income will suffer enormously. Either tipping will no longer be allowed or prices will skyrocket leaving less customers, and ultimately customers will feel less obligated to tip as well as they may have in the past.

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

    I’m not a big fan but this is a people’s vote. I certainly don’t believe that people in my area are in favor of this law.

• 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?
  • This is and extremely difficult subject. For someone to get hooked on heroine they need to initially know where to get it. Same with opiates. I understand the addiction but to be able to satisfy that addiction by finding these drugs is the bigger problem. They can’t get it if they can’t find it. Let’s make it harder and harder to find by focusing more energy on enforcement. I agree with having Narcan available for overdoses but , just like an emergency room visit, It’s not the public’s responsibility to pay for someone’s treatment. The addict shares some responsibility too.