Jonathan Fulford

Democrat

Office Sought: Senator – District 11
Age: 55
Occupation: Carpenter/Builder
Education: High school education
Family: Married, four children, five grandchildren
Hometown: Monroe

Political experience

I ran for state senate seat District #11 in 2014 and lost a close race after the recount. I have served on the Belfast Energy Committee since 2015. I have not served in an elected public office.

Why are you running for office?

I have five grandchildren who remind me everyday of my commitment to creating a future that is better than what we have now, not worse. I believe that the challenges we face can be solved and that our government plays a key role in determining our success.
The influence of money in politics has created a government that often reflects the interests of large, out-of-state and international corporations over the best interests of the people of Maine. I will not participate in the pay-to-play politics and the culture of backroom deals that is accepted in Augusta. Transparency in politics will require following the rules for public notification and public participation and full disclosure of which private interests are involved. Sunshine is the best deterrent to corruption. I will only work for the people of Waldo County and Maine. As a politician and lawmaker, I will never take any corporate money.
We need more living wage jobs, we need an economy that works for everyone, not just the very top. As a small business owner for over thirty years, I know that the future of our economy depends on small businesses, I want to remove unnecessary regulations that burden farms and small business while still holding all corporations accountable for protecting the natural resources that we all depend upon and enjoy.
Climate change threatens our society and our planet and must be addressed now. There solutions that we can act on now that will create good jobs and strengthen our economy.

• 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

    We need fairness in taxes. Lowering the state income tax for the wealthiest among us forces cities and towns to raise property taxes. It can also cause raising sales taxes or we could lose services and benefits such as strong public schools, good roads, police and fire protection. Higher property taxes and sales taxes hit people with low to middle incomes harder than those with high incomes. If we want to strengthen our economy we must put the money back in the pockets of the people who spend it in Maine, not give it to people who put it into stocks and offshore accounts.
    I support Question #2 to increase the state funding of schools to 55% because it will provide property tax relief and is paid for by an increase of 3% to taxable income over $200,000.00. This is an example of a fair tax policy.

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

    I do not want people who have committed violent crimes including domestic abuse buying firearms. Background checks are the best way we have of reducing the risk of that from happening. I think that Question #3 was written without understanding our hunting traditions. If it passes, then it will need to be modified before becoming law. For instance, a law must be written to allow the loaning of firearms using a written form — available for free at any town office or by download — that provides for a 1-month loan between two private parties.

• 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

    As a small business owner with employees, I support raising the minimum wage to $9.00 and then $1.00 more each year till it reaches $12.00. A person working fulltime should not be living below poverty. Paying people closer to a livable wage will benefit everyone in society as it will reduce our need to support working people who still can’t make ends meet. 70% of our economy is driven by consumer spending. Having more people who work for a living earn a better income will stimulate the economy. This is good for small business.

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

    Keeping marijuana illegal has not stopped people from using it. The criminalization of recreational marijuana has created an illegal market that is unregulated and supports the drug cartels. I think it is time to try a different approach. I do not support the use of marijuana for recreation just as I do not support alcohol and tobacco use but prohibition doesn’t work. Regulations, restrictions, and prevention programs may be a better way to reduce the use of all of these drugs.

• 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 rapid rise in heroin and opiate abuse is a serious problem that needs more effective action immediately. I support accepting the federal funds available for drug treatment through the Affordable Care Act. We still need many more treatment beds throughout Maine, as well as more counseling and social services to help addicts stay off the drugs after they leave the treatment centers.We also need to support drug prevention programs that have been shown to have some success in the schools.
    This problem also requires us to address the root causes of opiate abuse. For example, we must look at the role that childhood trauma has on later vulnerability to addiction. Equally important are raising the minimum wage, creating more living-wage jobs, and improving our schools to give people a positive future to work towards so that they will avoid addiction or stay clean when recovering from addiction.