Susan M. Wilkinson Austin

Republican

Office Sought: Representative – District 67
Age: 68
Occupation: State representative
Education: Associate Degree in Science
Family: Ernie Austin, 4 children, 11 grandchildren
Hometown: Gray

Political experience

I served the people of Maine in the House for eight years terming out in 2010. In 2014 I felt that I had more to give to the many issues that our state and our people were facing. I won the seat to serve the people of the newly formed District 67. I was fortunate to return to the Commerce Research Economic Development Committee which was a continuum of my previous eight years of committee work. We have had a very challenging Term on that committee and I have a strong desire to return to that work for another term. It has fascinating yet serious issues and I think I bring a sensible head to the table.

Previous to serving at the state level I served on the Gray New Gloucester School Board, the Gray Town Council and the Pineland Center Conversion Committee. For years I have been involved in the Gray-New Gloucester Optimist Club, The Liberty Family Foundation, Gray-New Gloucester Summer Meal’s Program, Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby, as a Maine Wildlife Park advocate and St. Gregory’s Parish in leadership roles
Gray Town Council

Why are you running for office?

I am running to help people. This seat affords a representative the opportunity to engage, assist, reach out to and enrich the condition of people, young and old. In some cases the stakes to help are very high and often quite critical. In other cases the smallest gesture of assistance means everything on that particular day to that individual. There are constituent’s personal challenges and there are state financial/policy initiatives that need weighty, critical thinking with valued decisions. I have been able to give my time and my attention to these things and desire to continue to work for Maine’s future.

• 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

    I support a lowering of the Maine income tax. However, without a continuum of cautious well thought expenditures, lowering the income tax could end up in creating a shifting to other taxes for necessary revenue.
    We need to do one with the balance of cost.

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

    I do not support the back ground check question. I do not think the question has been portrayed in full transparency to the Maine people and that it will have unintended, negative consequences to lawful gun owners and our sportsmen. This was not written here in Maine by our lawmakers, nor vetted by the legislature and does not support Maine’s strong tradition of hunting.

• 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?
  • Other

    The ballot question to raise minimum wage implements new hourly rates at a higher cascade than our market place can sustain. It not only impact our restauranteurs but unintendedly has a negative impact on wait staff as the tip credit moves away and businesses have to adjust their staff accordingly to their business costs. Wait staff testified in our Business/Labor Committee that they feel they will lose their ability to earn and bring home valuable tip amounts corresponding to their added value service for their customers.

• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • No

    I continue to support medical marijuana. However, from my years serving on the G-NG School Board supporting Good Health Habits and Drug Awareness for our students, I find it so contrarian to support legalizing this drug for recreational use not only in view of the strong stance society has taken about the health effects of smoking/inhaling second hand smoke but most significantly in view of our severe drug crisis in Maine!

• 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?
  • No. Maine has stepped up to address the drug climate/crisis. Drug agent positions have been increased. More funding for treatment options has passed. Through factual, quantified testimony on the most successful treatments with focused resources funneled to those within programs and the availability of facilities/staff to handle those treatments will move our ability to assist and save more people.