Janice Ellen Cooper

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Representative – District 47
Age: 70
Occupation: Attorney (retired); legislator
Education: Vassar College BA, Yale Law School JD, London School of Economics (Junior Yr.)
Family: Married, stepdaughter
Hometown: Yarmouth

Political experience

I worked for almost two decades for the U.S. House of Representatives, first as counsel to the House Judiciary Committee and then as Special Assistant to Congressman Tom Allen in his Portland, ME district office.

Why are you running for office?

I am devoted to the communities I represent (Yarmouth, Chebeague and Long Islands) and to the State of Maine. I want to preserve Maine’s natural beauty and strong community bonds. To improve opportunities for all, I believe we need to make quality education available to all students, not just those in well-to-do areas, and make post secondary education affordable for all. We must make health care more accessible and affordable. Our tax code places too heavy a burden on middle income residents. I believe my first responsibility as a representative is to listen to my constituents and to try to respond to their concerns. I believe I play a unique role in the legislature because I am not afraid to speak out on unpopular but important issues.

• 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

    The middle class bears too heavy a tax burden. High income earners can and should pay a higher rate. Sales taxes can be broadened but care must be taken not to shift the tax burden to low income earners, by placing higher taxes on essentials like food and gasoline. Our tax policy should be based on fairness and efforts to spur economic growth.

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

    In states where universal background checks have been enacted, deaths from firearms of police officers, women in domestic disputes, and men by suicide have dropped dramatically. In short, this law would make our society safer without affecting the right of law-abiding citizens to own a firearm.

• 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

    Many adults in Maine are paid only the minimum wage, which is so low that they are unable to pay their rent or put food on the table for their children. As a result, they often must turn to government programs like food stamps. Why should employers be subsidized by taxpayers?

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

    Marijuana legalization would make this substance more available to underage users, and the science is clear that it affects the still developing brains of teenagers. Use also affects their educational performance, and can be a gateway drug to more addictive and dangerous drugs. Use of marijuana by drivers also poses a difficult to detect threat to public safety.

• 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?
  • The LePage administration refuses to use the money allocated for treatment, which is already inadequate to meet demand. Detox is insufficient: long term treatment, including medications like methadone, must be provided to those ready and willing to seek help. Without this aspect of treatment, relapse is very likely.