LIMINGTON — State Rep. Jonathan Kinney, R-Limington, should handily win re-election to the Legislature in November. His Democratic opponent for the House District 22 seat, Gregory Mehlhorn of Limerick, is not actively campaigning, said a spokesman for the House Democratic Campaign Committee. Mehlhorn did not return repeated requests for an interview with the Journal Tribune.
House District 22 includes Limington, part of Buxton and part of Limerick in York County, and part of Standish in Cumberland County.
Ӣ Kinney, 57, is married and has two adult daughters. He is a small business owner. He is currently serving in the Maine House of Representatives and has served on the Limington Planning Board for nine years.
In order to create more jobs in Maine, said Kinney, the state should make it easier and more affordable for businesses to come here.
“If Maine’s not a welcoming place for businesses, we won’t attract them from out of state. Small business won’t start up, they won’t expand and hire, and our economy will never get moving,” he said. “Obstructive regulations and overtaxation hurt businesses, and, as a result, it is harder for folks to find work.”
The way to fill existing jobs, said Kinney, is to continue supporting current jobs programs, technical education and STEM ”“ science, technology, engineering and mathematics ”“ subjects.
“I also believe that something like a tiered welfare system, to encourage folks to take raises or find higher-paying jobs and be gradually moved off of state social programs, would be helpful in filling some jobs that are now available,” he said.
Rather than restructuring the tax system, there should be government cutbacks to reduce taxes in the state, said Kinney.
“Maine is overtaxed. We have made progress in the last four years,” he said, but to lower taxes even more, there should be a rollback of state government and “prioritizing the use of state funds for folks who truly need the help.”
Kinney said he supports state revenue sharing, but also said both state and municipal government need to prioritize.
“Some years there simply isn’t enough money to go around,” he said. “The government cannot be everything to everyone.”
Kinney said his priorities are “bringing the size of Maine’s government under control and reforming our welfare programs.” By working on these issues, he said, “We will see great changes in our community. Hard work will pay off again, as it should, then families won’t have to see their children and grandchildren leave for better opportunities in other states.”
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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