River Payne

Democrat

Office Sought: Representative – District 16
Age: 46
Occupation: Nurse, Chair of Hollis Select Board
Education: BA in Political Science from Binghamton University, MA in Media from NYU, BSRN from USM
Family: 2 children
Hometown: Hollis

Political experience

I am 46. When I was 19 I began to understand that women’s health issues affected everyone, and I needed to participate. I have been involved ever since, from educating citizen’s on nuclear waste in 1989, to BPA in 2014.

Why are you running for office?

I have been involved politically since 1989 on many issues. As a nurse, I became directly involved in 2013 when our State refused the Medicaid Expansion. This planned expansion covered the individuals who were going to fall outside of the Affordable Care Act’s coverage. Individuals I knew were harmed by our State’s rejection of healthcare. Along with many other caring individuals, I began visiting Augusta and became more involved in my community and politically.

I am currently serving as the Chair for the Hollis Select Board and General Assistance Administrator. In this role, I can see when the State is shifting a financial burden onto the Town. As your State Representative, I will work to reverse this trend.

As a parent, I believe we are all accountable for ensuring that our children have a sound education. They have difficult decisions ahead. I believe education is prevention and is the only sustainable answer we have to the many issues that face us today.

And lastly, I feel that more women in politics is vitally important. I know it is hard to step out of our already uncomfortable zones and speak up; but there is nothing more important than your voice right now.

• 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

    Sales tax is a regressive tax, which is one that it has a bigger impact on individuals who have less. I do not support this. Why would we implement policies that further inequality?

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

    I come from a family that lives off the land. Guns are part of our lives. My understanding is that around 1500 guns have been traced to Maine because they were used in a crime. That tells me that we sell a lot of guns to individuals who can’t get guns in nearby states because they will fail the background check. Recently I’ve heard some confusion regarding this initiative. Please remember that partners, parents, children, siblings (blood or adopted), grandparents and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, first cousins, in-laws, step parents or siblings/half- siblings are all exempt. This initiative is trying to close a loophole so we’re not the go-to state for bad guys in other states.

• 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

    Maine has not raised its minimum wage in decades, and inequality has only increased. My first-hand experience is showing me that those who are most against the minimum wage are not the same individuals who have worked for minimum wage. As someone who has worked for minimum wage, I agree, it is time for a raise.

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

    One of the most troubling things for me regarding our culture is the multitude of contradictions. As a youth, our brains explode with the hypocrisy around us. As we grow older, we stop resisting the inconsistencies and focus more on ourselves, our friends, and our families. Alcohol is a far more dangerous chemical than marijuana, yet alcohol is legal. I believe that legalization is inevitable. It seems possible to me that Maine could learn from the successes and failures of other state’s legalization policies, and implement a successful program. Colorado is already building public schools and helping college students with the revenue. I can’t help but wonder if we wait too long, the federal government will have to face the science of its health and revenue benefits, and implement its own program of legalization for us.

• 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?
  • It seems we prefer to focus on the tragic end of the story when it comes to addiction, not the beginning. The beginning is raising children who feel safe, whole, and valued. This requires parents who feel safe, whole, and valued. The government cannot do this, but it can help provide the means to do this. This is accomplished through quality healthcare, respecting our workforce through fair labor laws, fair wages, and fair taxes, and providing a sound education for our children so that they are less likely to be influenced by fears and falsehoods, and more likely to make good decisions.