Maureen Fitzgerald Terry

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Representative – District 26
Age: 48
Occupation: Chef
Education: New York Restaurant School Degree in Culinary Arts
Family: Married to Parnell Terry, Children, Maeve (18), Grace (15), Siobhan (13)
Hometown: Gorham

Why are you running for office?

I want to make sure that my three daughters can call Maine home after college, and make a living for themselves. My husband and I work hard, and encourage them to do the same, but have seen financial insecurity that we don’t want for them. We like many Maine families, have more than one job and business to make ends meet.

I want to make sure that Maine industries grow and invest in our kids.

• 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 worry what the “broader range of goods and services” would be.

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

    I see no harm in background checks for ANY firearms. I believe it is a common sense safety precaution.

• 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

    I fully support a higher minimum wage. Not only will people be able to afford to work at just one job, versus two or three, they will spend the money they earn on consumer goods, health care, and investments. That in turn will place less pressure on the state to assist them, as well as put money back into state revenue.

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

    I think this is a great financial opportunity for the state. As with alcohol, Maine stands to gain millions in tax revenue from the sale of regulated marijuana. I do believe however, there need to be systems in place for misuse, retail operations, and farming that are clear and concise and that do not interfere with the current medical marijuana program we have in the state right now.

• 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?
  • I think that we need to do more. First and foremost is prevention. The current situation we find ourselves in started with a prescription. Prescription pain medication that is not managed can get out of control rather quickly. Second, make sure law enforcement has the resources to keep illegal drugs off of our streets. And third, low cost counseling and medical help for those who need it.