Jennifer DeChant

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Representative – District 52
Age: 48
Occupation: Executive Director of Chocolate Church Arts Center
Education: Bachelor of Arts; Masters of Business Administration
Family: Two sons age 8 and 12 years old
Hometown: Bath

Political experience

My political experience began with grassroots organizing as the Chair of Sagadahoc County Democratic Party (2000-2004) and continued as State of Maine Democratic National Committeewoman (2004-2008). Closely related is my policy experience while working in the House Majority Office, Office of Speaker of the House and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

Why are you running for office?

Representing the City of Bath is a great privilege. For 16 years, I have been actively involved in the community through a variety of civic organizations that has created a unique perspective. Serving as State Representative during the past four years has been an extension of that experience. I was raised with a commitment to public service. I seek ReElection because I believe strongly in Bath and its 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?
  • Other

    I support simplifying Maine’s tax code to make it more fair and predictable for all taxpayers. The Legislature has made several attempts at broadening the range of sales tax of goods and services. The most recent attempt similar to that of the Governor’s recommendations was overturned in 2010 by the Maine Tax Code People’s Veto. Maine’s tax system is based on sales tax, income tax and property tax. If the Governor’s proposal would thoroughly address how the elimination of income tax would impact the other two aspects, I would consider that.

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

    Section 8, “exceptions” section, is awkwardly worded. Taking a firearm that the “transferor” wants to sell or gift to another, the “transferee”, to a licensed firearms dealer for the background check requires that the firearm serial number, and the addresses and identification information on both parties are all recorded on federal forms that are retained by the dealer. Recording such information is already required under existing federal and state law. The new law is also unclear on the need for background checks when a firearm is loaned to a hunting partner, because no time limits are set. I have submitted a bill An Act to Amend Timeframe for Firearm transfer to Account for Hunting Season to amend 25 MRSC Section 2014, Subsection 8; Item F3

• 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
• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • Other

    I realize there is opportunity for taxation, but after speaking with colleagues representing states where marijuana is legalized, I have concerns over implementation and regulation.

• 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. But the first step is that there is shared agreement that this is a crisis that needs immediate attention. We are not going to arrest our way out of this so it is not only an issue of criminal justice. There has to be prevention, intervention and treatment as part of the response to the rise in heroin/opiate addiction.