Dillon Bates

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Representative – District 35
Age: 28
Occupation: Teacher
Education: B.A. Political Science, 2011, B.A. Theatre 2011, both from University of Maine
Hometown: Westbrook

Political experience

Current State Representative, District 35
President of the Cumberland County Young Democrats
3-time delegate to the Democratic State Convention

Why are you running for office?

Having just completed my first term, I’m running to continue the conversations and successes we’ve had in Augusta. I was lucky to find legislative success this past session as a “freshman”, but will certainly be more equipped to be an effective legislator with two years of experience under my belt. Legislative service is a learning curve, like any job, but with my connections and experience, I’ll be able to hit the ground running and build on past success.

Ultimately, my motivation for seeking office remains what it was two years ago: I want to help the largest number of people possible, and affect change that benefits the lives of Mainers.

• 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. While I don’t disagree with the idea of some potential “luxury tax” additions, I don’t support the elimination of an income tax. That income is necessary to the state and essential programs, and I don’t think we need to go in a direction of less predictable revenues year-to-year. On top of that, I would much prefer to turn our efforts toward a decrease in property taxes.
• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • Yes. I’m a lifelong Mainer and a lifelong outdoor enthusiast. My family owns firearms, and had to pass background checks to buy them. It wasn’t difficult, and wasn’t much of a hassle. If they can do it, anyone else can. I see no logically defensible reason to oppose a very simple safety measure.
• 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?
  • This past session, I was the author and sponsor of LD 92, the bill to increase the minimum wage. I proposed a logical, modest increase. It passed in the House and failed narrowly in the Senate. I was disappointed that it was considered too moderate, and not supported by many of the same groups and people supporting the referendum.That said, wage stagnation is one of the most immediate problems facing Maine, and I will support the measure, because people are suffering right now as members of the working poor. I have reservations about the way the referendum is written, and the motivations of some of the groups promoting it, but will vote to give working Mainers a long-overdue raise. They must be our priority in the legislature.
• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • Yes. I support this measure. Conceptually it is solid. We may need to do some cleaning up of this issue at the legislative level (no matter the outcome of the referendum), but I support undercutting an extremely valuable black market, saving the state and municipalities money, and saving law enforcement time and energy that could, and should be reallocated toward more pressing matters.
• 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?
  • We should always do more to help those suffering with the disease of addiction. I am constantly amazed at the passion people bring to this issue. Addiction has a massive impact felt throughout families and communities. We did make progress right at the end of the past session, with a compromise bill that promotes the so-called “three-pronged” approach. We need to build on our momentum. I believe that the next legislature will be ready to act on this issue, but the question will be the Governor. I am hopeful that this can be a focus of the 127th. Additionally, I would like to see Maine follow the model of Westbrook police (and others) with a law enforcement strategy that focuses on treatment and recovery first. We cannot arrest our way out of this problem. Finally, we need to do more for the family members of those suffering with addiction, not just addicts themselves.