Lee Ann Betz

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Representative – District 142
Age: 73
Occupation: Clergy
Education: B.S., M.Div
Family: Partner
Hometown: Lincoln

Political experience

I have been a voter for 52 years. I have worked on numerous campaigns for others. I have written many letters to the editor of numerous newspapers. I study the vagaries of political decisions avidly. As a pastor I have worked on many social justice issues.

Why are you running for office?

Public service is ingrained into who I am. Our towns in the district were in need of someone who would represent the peoples needs. I felt that I could step up and do the job.

• 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

    This is an issue that I have not studied yet and so I cannot speak on the potential ramifications of this action.

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

    Felons and those with disqualifying mental issue should not be able to acquire 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
• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • Yes

    The hypocrisy of regulating and selling of alcohol by the state while banning the other recreational drug is obvious. I have found that those using marijuana are less inclined to dangerous and malicious activity than alcohol abusers. I think it would also free up our police to focus on more serious issues.

• 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 state is just beginning to focus on the multi-faceted nature of the problem. The governor has to recuse himself from the discussion because of his punitive focus on the issue and let the more compassionate, community oriented leaders and local, state and national health and public safety leaders take the lead in creating our direction in handling this epidemic.