Matthew P. Roy

Republican

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Representative – District 58
Age: 31
Occupation: Mortgage Closing Operations
Education: Undergraduate
Family: Single
Hometown: Lewiston

Political experience

Lewiston School Committee 2014-present
Androscoggin County Commissioner 2015-present
Treasurer, Lewiston Republican City Committee 2012-2016
Secretary, Lewiston Republican City Committee 2016-

Why are you running for office?

I am running for office to create a Maine which is better then the state we are in. Be it eliminating high-stakes testing, increasing parents access to opting of those tests, making our state business friendly to job creation and investment, or lowing the cost of living for our residents.

• 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

    Lowering overall taxes should be the goal. Without more details this could just amount to a tax shift and not actually savings.

• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • No

    When a gun shop owner is at a gun show their federal gun license is in effect at the show just as it is at their business. Also, this bill makes loaning your gun to your hunting buddy just because he left his at home a crime, and against our sportsmen/outdoor heritage.

• 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?
  • No

    This ballot question is not in isolation by itself, but must be taken in connection with the Question 2 and the new FLSA Overtime regulation, especially for the small business owner. A better option to create an environment which fosters job creation which leads to higher tax revenue organic instead of by government fiat.

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

    History has shown us that prohibition does not work. This referendum accomplishes many things, 1) reduces harm caused by marijuana criminalization, 2) creates job is in the real economy and not in the black market, and 3) introduces consumer information so consumers know what they are buying.

• 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?
  • To fight the opiate addiction crisis, we need a comprehensive approach based on education, treatment, recovery, and law enforcement towards the supply chain(s).