Richard R. Farnsworth

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Representative – District 37
Age: 76
Occupation: Retired other than being in the House
Education: B.S, Ohio State University, M.Div., Boston University, CAGS, Temple University
Family: Married, 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren
Hometown: Portland

Political experience

I served in the Maine House during the 118th legislature and have been serving in the 126th and 127th.

Why are you running for office?

I have grave concerns about the operation of our government under the current administration. One is around the oppressive policies that have been implemented in relation to the part of our population that lives at or below the poverty level. the oppressive behavior of the State in relation to efforts to help these people rise about the poverty level is hurting many people that want to move ahead. Secondly, the efforts by the administration around the problem of substance use disorder among our population has damaged the continuum of services by eliminating some services and under funding others. Third, the reduction of state workers has made it increasingly difficult for the state agencies to fulfill their missions and diminishes their ability to deliver the services to our citizens as well as to meet compliance standards from funding sources. Fourth, we must keep the momentum going in the establishment of Pre-K programs for young children. this is the ground level at which we must start to work in order to develop an effective workforce of the 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

    While I don’t believe it is possible to eliminate the income tax, I do believe that by broadening the base of sales tax eligible services and products, that we can take the pressure of the income tax as well as reducing the pressure on the property tax that is increasingly a burden especially in rural Maine.

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

    I believe that we not only should tighten the requirements for background checks but that we should also develop better oversight of private sale fire arms so that we do not have that huge gateway for access to fire arms with absolutely no background check requirements.

• 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

    Yes. We must increase the income of the entry level positions so that these employees can afford to live a reasonable life style. Current wages make that impossible to do even if working two jobs. It is especially difficult if you have young children in need of childcare.

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

    Not only do I believe that the legalization of marijuana increases the access to the product by teens and young adults, where it can have significant brain impact, I also believe that there are too many unanswered questions about this product and its relation to driving, domestic violence issues and other behavioral and legal problems.

• 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. While law enforcement is important, there has not been enough emphasis on both prevention and a full range of treatment options that are accessible across the state, including rural areas. On top of the lack of options, the funding level for these programs makes it almost impossible for them to be as effective as they need to be. Finally, the removal of a large portion of the population who could benefit the most from treatment by shrinking the rolls of MaineCare , thus removing a vehicle to pay for the treatment, has been devastating. Likewise, Private insurance doesn’t begin to cover the cost of real treatment and as a result the short term approach leads to relapse. Not a desired outcome.