Kevin J. Battle

Republican

Office Sought: Representative – District 33
Age: 58
Occupation: Portland Harbor Master
Education: Maine Criminal Justice Academy
Family: Married 36 years to Kathy, two grown boys Joseph and Jason
Hometown: South Portland

Political experience

I have always been an independent at heart and showed that I am not a party puppet. I listened to my constituents, read the bills and voted the way I thought was best.
I approached each issue, bill, and topic presented with an open mind and will continue to do so.

Why are you running for office?

I am running for reelection because I believe I can do a lot for my constituents. I learned a lot during my first term, now is the time to put what I learned to work for us.
I have no agenda or ax to grind. I listened to my constituents and worked hard for them with a common sense approach. I presented myself as open minded and friendly and worked well with people on both sides of the aisle.

• 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?
  • NoThe more I look at this and examine it I think it puts unfair burden on lower income people. Claiming we will make up any shortages by collecting more from tourism still leaves lower income residents paying more.
• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • YesI do not have a problem with this, a little common sense is a good thing to keep guns out of the hands of those that should not have then and not an intrusion on the Second Amendment.
• 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?
  • YesThe topic of raising the minimum wage has been avoided and sidestepped time and time again to the point of being unfair to those earning minimum wage. Our economy is stronger now than it has been, what is fair is fair. People deserve to earn good wages and a living wage should be the norm, not the exception!
• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • YesI think smoking marijuana in the state of Maine should be considered a privilege, not a right. Those wishing to do so should pay for the privilege as well as the proper taxes involved. By collecting up fron we could fairly raise money from users fees, transportation fees, growing fees as well as additional sales tax leaving those that do not wish to use or participate not having to pay. The additional income to the state could be used for education in a number of ways as well as other aspects.
• Addiction/Overdose: 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?
  • There really is no simple answer to this other than we have to do more. We need more education, prevention and most importantly more support and treatment for those needing and asking for help. This problem did not happen over night. It will take time for us to work our way out of this problem and help those that needed it.