James “Jim” R Handy

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Representative – District 58
Age: 62
Occupation: Customer Service Representative, eServices
Education: Educated in Lewiston Public Schools; graduated cum laude from the University of Southern Maine, BA in political science
Family: Married for 34 years; 3 grown children who were educated in Lewiston Public Schools, are all college graduates and are working in the Lewiston-Auburn area.
Hometown: Lewiston

Political experience

Lewiston School Committee, 1998-2016; Maine State Senate, 1992-1994; Maine House of Representatives, 1982-1992

Why are you running for office?

With my previous legislative experience. I will not be a typical, first-year legislator. While others may be trying to find their way around, I’m ready to get to work on the people’s business on Day 1. I have a genuine passion for public service and my desire to make an impact on the lives of Lewiston residents is superseded only by my energy and drive to get things done. My priorities are to increase economic fairness and security for middle-class families; reduce the cost of college so young people can stay in Maine, make sure veterans get the services they have earned; invest in affordable housing so seniors can stay in their homes and improve Maine’s pre-k to adult education system to make it the best it can be.

• 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

    I support lowering the tax rate for those who make $200,000 or less. I oppose eliminating the income tax and shifting tax burden to cities and heavily taxing goods and services. The property tax burden in Maine is too large, and it impacts the monthly budgets seniors and working class people the most. I support expanding programs to direct property tax relief to those most in need.

    Loopholes that let large, multi-national companies hide income in off-shore tax havens should be eliminated so that Maine businesses are competing on a level playing field. The Maine tax code should continue to be reviewed to ensure for tax fairness.

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

    I stand with Maine’s law enforcement leaders and the Maine Medical Association in support of background checks. A yes vote on Question 3 will mean a safer Maine. Maine needs to prevent the transfer of firearms to those already prohibited by law, such as felons, domestic abusers and people with severe mental illness, to sales of guns online or through classified ads.

    In states where these background checks have been enacted, a dramatic reduction in the numbers of police officers murdered by handguns has resulted. Maine has a long tradition of hunting and enjoying the outdoors. There is no reason for that to change.

• 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

    Increasing the minimum wage is good for Maine business and Maine’s families. The current minimum has been in place for a decade. Although a higher minimum wage is needed sooner, rather than later, the proposal is gradual/phased in over a period of years. Twenty-five per cent of seniors in the work force will get a raise.

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

    In Androscoggin County, we’ve seen a spike in the percentage of middle school youth who have used marijuana: 7% to over 12%. The potency of marijuana has risen dramatically as it has been engineered to be considerably higher in THC content than that of the 60s and 70s. Companies are creating sweetened edible products attractive to youth; reminiscent of the candy-flavored products Big Tobacco created and marketed to attract young smokers. It would be unfortunate to repeat the policy mistakes made with Big Tobacco.

    We all want the best for our communities and our youth to learn, grow, and succeed. A policy of legalizing recreational marijuana runs counter to those aims. It imposes social costs and burdens our economy when we are trying to grow it. If we are serious about a better future for Maine; seeing our youth succeed and building up our workforce, we must reject marijuana legalization.

• 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! Mental health funding has been cut and Maine (by the executive branch) has decided not accept funding through the Affordable Care Act which would allow us to combat the heroin/opiate addiction crisis.