Brett D. Baber

Republican

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Senator – District 5
Age: 57
Occupation: Attorney
Education: University of Southern Maine; University of Maine School of Law
Hometown: Veazie
Family: Married with 4 children

Why are you running for office?

I live in the Penobscot River Valley where all of the paper mills have now closed. When the last mill closed in Old Town, I decided it was time to offer a new voice to the voters in the region, a voice who would concentrate on economic development. We need to create a governmental environment for business that promotes business, not one that deters business. Tax and spend policies drive business away. We must reduce the tax burden on individuals and businesses to encourage economic growth in Maine. Likewise, we must also reduce the regulatory impact on economic development as well as energy costs.

• 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?
  • Yes.
    Maine competes with all of the other 49 states and the rest of the world for business. WE have one of the highest income tax rates in the country. Let’s give everyone a net pay increase by cutting the income tax (instead of those few who would benefit from a minimum wage increase). An income tax reduction should encourage the return of business and industry to our state.
• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • No.
    Background checks violate the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and its Maine counterpart. The proposed checks are also very unworkable in that they attempt to regulate private sales.Punish the criminals for illegal gun possession, not law abiding citizens.
• 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.
    As Maine is in competition with the other 49 states, and the rest of the world, an increase in the minimum wage will make us less competitive, not more so. Wage increases should occur at the federal level which will not have this disparate impact on our State.
• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • No.
    We do not need another lawful drug to impair our brains. In light of the opiate epidemic, we cannot afford to offer a potential gateway drug.
• 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?
  Maine is not doing enough. First, we need to provide mental health screening and treatment in the primary and secondary school system to identify and treat mental health needs when they arise, not after they have led to impairment. Second, we must provide a good economy with excellent jobs, one of hope. Otherwise, people turn to drugs to escape a bleak existence. Third, we must stop the flow of drugs into our country.