Matthea Daughtry

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Representative – District 49
Age: 29
Occupation: Photographer
Education: Smith College
Hometown: Brunswick

Political experience

Two terms as a Maine State Representative.

Why are you running for office?

It has been an honor to represent my hometown in Augusta for the past two terms. I have worked hard to create jobs, champion bills about college affordability and completion, cut government waste, increase access to healthcare, protect Maine’s precious environment, and get us closer to fully funding our schools in order to reduce the property tax burden. I am running for re-election because there is still so much to do to move Maine and Brunswick forward. We are at a turning point for our state. We need to ensure that Maine has a 21st century economy that provides opportunities for all to thrive. I have a strong, proven record of working across the aisle, engaging in civil discourse, and being a stalwart advocate for our community. I hope to continue working hard everyday for my town and for our state.

• 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

    I do not support the Governor’s proposal to completely eliminate the income tax. We need a fair share tax plan, in which we close wasteful tax loopholes and everyone pays their fair share according to what they can afford. We need to broaden our tax base but ensure that we do not create a more regressive system that penalizes the poor for purchasing basic necessities. Eliminating the income tax will cause property taxes to increase. We need to do all we can to reduce property taxes, which are some of the most regressive taxes, to make sure Mainers are not taxed out of their homes. We need to build from the middle out and make sure our tax code reflects what Maine families can afford to pay.

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

    Universal background checks are a common-sense approach to help prevent firearms from getting into the hands of criminals or those who should not possess them. The proposal on the fall ballot closes the loophole but also preserves private family transfers. This is a smart measure that will keep all of us safer and will not infringe upon the second amendment rights of Mainers.

• 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

    If we want to move our economy forward, one of our best tools is to raise the minimum wage. Our current minimum wage has not kept pace with the true cost of living in our state. Increasing the minimum wage would make Mainers more prosperous. Increasing the minimum wage to a livable wage would help a family break the cycle of poverty and move into the middle class. Fair pay is also a gender issue, as two thirds of minimum wage earners are women, and women are as likely to be the sole supporter of their families as men.

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

    I am still learning on this subject. If marijuana should be de-criminalized, I do believe that it should be done at the federal level and I am frustrated by the federal government’s inaction on this matter and their desire to leave this up to the states. We need strong research on the recreational use of marijuana. I have heard first hand accounts about medical marijuana and how many of my constituents have benefitted greatly. I’m also frustrated by the sheer waste of federal and state funds that are used to lock people up over marijuana possession. We need to do as much as possible to take this substance out of the hands of drug dealers and legalizing marijuana might be the best step. I am trying to learn as much as I can between now and November 8th. Question 1 is something I’m hearing a lot about from my constituents and I urge them to continue contacting me on the subject.

• 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?
  • Our state has lost too many loved ones to the opiate epidemic that is plaguing our state. We need to do more and we need to have a balanced approach, that includes treatment, enforcement, and education. The cuts that have been made to our treatment programs have greatly hurt our ability to reverse this damaging epidemic. We need increased access to proven quality treatment programs. Addiction is an illness and we need to make sure those who are suffering can get the help that they need. Our law enforcement officers also need to have access to the resources they need. I have been following the success of Operation HOPE and would like to see that program be replicated throughout the state. I’m grateful that the legislature also increased access to naloxone, a non-addictive medicine that halts the overdose process. Allowing family members, law officers, and others to have access to this life-saving medicine will help save lives of many Mainers.