H. Scott Landry

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office sought: Representative – District 113
Age: 67
Occupation: Retired
Education: B S elementary education from University of Maine Farmington
Family: Married to Brenda Landry, 7 children, 7 grandchildren, 1 great grand child
Hometown: Farmington

Political experience:

I have no prior political experience.

Why are you running for office?

I love life here in the Farmington/New Sharon community and I feel that I can be a positive force in future prosperity of the area. As a former owner of an insurance agency in Farmington , I understand the needs and goals of the community.

• 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 feel that the income tax is the fairest way to collect taxes. Those that make the most pay the highest rate, Reducing or eliminating it will mean that property and sales taxes will increase thus adversely effecting those who can least afford it. However , I would like to see those who come to Maine to enjoy our beautiful state contribute more to help maintain our vast infrastructure. An increase in lodging and meal taxes while allowing permanent residents relief through an increased homestead allowance.
• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • No.
    The bill as written is not enforceable and overall a bad idea. Criminals will get firearms without background checks.
• 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 a former small business owner, I have never paid anyone minimum wage. Employees should be paid a living wage and according to their value to the business. When you start increasing the minimum wage you have to also increase the wages of your current employees and the associated payroll expenses. This is going to be difficult for small business owners. I feel that teenagers should be allowed at a younger age to gain work experience part time. With our aging population in Maine there is going to be a shortage of labor in the near future, market forces will positively affect wages as this unfolds.
• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • Yes.
    Legalization of marijuana which is less harmful than either alcohol or tobacco, both of which are now controlled by the state, will provide a much needed source of income and jobs to the state. Legalization will allow our law enforcement and judicial branches to focus their more energy on combatting the opiate epidemic that is rampant 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?
  • I believe that our leaders have finally realized that better control of the prescribing of prescription opiate drugs is an important step in fighting this epidemic. Too many folks have become addicted because of over prescribing of these drugs. Oversight of prescriptions is needed and with the technology available today it should be done . The creation of an East Coast task force to investigate heroin trafficking was an important step in combatting this epidemic , but treatment of those addicted is also needed.