Joanne F Dunlap

Democrat

Office Sought: Senator – District 17
Age: 73
Occupation: Retired teacher, small business owner, farmer
Education: BA and M Ed
Family: 1 daughter
Hometown: Rangeley

Political experience

None

Why are you running for office?

I am very concerned about the direction our state is going, increasing the tax burden on middle class, cutting revenue sharing and support for our schools.

• 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

    Income tax is only a piece of the tax picture but it is the fairest tax in terms of tax related to ability to pay. Sales tax and property tax are both regressive taxes that put more burden on the middle class and less on the very wealthy.

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

    I support background checks but I am not happy with all the language regarding transfer(loans) and am unsure how this law would be enforced.

• 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

    No one can live on minimum wage when working 40 hours a week. Raising the minimum wage allows many to really support themselves, put more money into the community.

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

    I don’t have problems with this legislation but hope to see decriminalization nationally. This puts us in an odd position. I also do not want to see out of state interests ‘cashing in’ on this.

• 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. We need better education and prevention programs, more treatment programs.