Office Sought: Representative – District 41
Age: 52
Occupation: Consultant, formerly director of Maine Humanities Council
Education: BA Bowdoin College, MPA Harvard University
Family: Married to Tamara Risser, one child
Hometown: Portland (Harvard, MA)
Political experience
I have served two terms in the Maine House of Representatives, and during both those terms have sat on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, which has allowed me to gain a broad understanding of Maine’s government at the budgetary level.
Why are you running for office?
I am running in order to assure that Portland is treated fairly in the State budget and to fight what I see as radical policies being promoted by the current administration. My areas of particular interest include public education, clean energy, and addressing issues deriving from Maine’s aging population such as shrinking workforce, a growing elderly population, and the need to tap the talents of our immigrant community. I am very concerned about Maine’s growing childhood hunger problem, and the rising rates of the uninsured. I will fight to have Maine join the rest of the Northeast in expanding Medicaid.
I am capable of working effectively across the aisle. My statewide experience of 25 years working in the educational field through the Maine Humanities Council and as a museum administrator before that has provided me with understanding of the whole state, not just Portland.
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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?
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Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
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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?
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Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
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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?
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