Rebecca J. Millett
Age: 49
Education: M.B.A., University of Chicago.
Occupation: Self-employed business/political consultant (since
2006)
Recent work
history: Technology Projects Manager, The Children's Aid
Society, New York City (1997-1998); Business Manager, Center for Urban
Community Service, New York City (1995-1997); Business Consultant for Economic
Development, Peace Corp, Ukraine (1992-1994)
Elective experience: Cape Elizabeth School Board, 2004-2011
Political experience: Executive
Committee, Cape Elizabeth Democratic Committee (2003-present)
Residency: Waumbek
Road, Cape Elizabeth (since 2000)
Personal: Married 17 years, two children.
Contact: Phone: (207) 415-3903; email: millettformesenate@gmail.com; Website: www.rebeccamillett.com.
Q: Why do you want to represent your district in the state legislature?
A: Leadership in Augusta is taking Maine and its citizens down the wrong
path. Growing up in Maine, I knew that if I studied and worked hard, I could
make a good life for myself. Today that American dream is proving
elusive for many, and more and more hardworking Mainers are struggling. We need
economic development for secure good paying jobs, training for our friends and
neighbors who lost their jobs in the recession, strong schools that educate and
prepare all Maine children to be innovative and creative graduates who want to
use their talents here to build a stronger Maine, and an affordable healthcare
system that is accessible for all.
In addition, when nearly 80 percent of the State Senate is men, we need
to elect a woman with experience to remind Augusta to focus on the issues and
values we care about.
Q: What do you think are the three most important
issues facing Maine? (Of these, please identify at least one issue that is
specific to your district.)
A: 1) Good jobs with livable wages; 2) Affordable
healthcare for all Maine citizens; 3) Strong public schools for our children
and fair funding.
I believe that all of these issues are of
importance to residents of South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough.
Q: As a legislator, what would you do,
specifically, to address these concerns?
A: First and foremost, I will work to reverse the misguided direction
that the current Republican leadership in Augusta is taking Maine. I will
work to pass bills that support middle class working families, not attack them
as the recent Republican bills did this past session. I will encourage the
Legislature to undo the cuts to Maine Care that have left so many of our senior
neighbors and families with higher health care costs and reduced
coverage. I will use my business experience and skills to help create a
non-partisan, coordinated, cooperative and goal-oriented effort to bring jobs
to Maine. I will work to reverse the recent cost shift from Augusta to
local communities and ease pressure on property taxes.
Finally, I think it’s time to leave behind negative and demeaning
language and show our teachers the appreciation they deserve. By creating a
climate of positive reinforcement and encouragement, we can help build an
environment of excellence and innovation necessary for our youngest citizens to
thrive at school and succeed in a global economy.
Q: Do you support same-sex marriage? Why, or why
not?
A: Yes, all families deserve equal protection.
Michael D. Wallace (R)
Age: 33
Education: B.A.
in Internet technology, Strayer University, Alexandria Va.
Occupation: Commercial
provisioning agent, Biddeford Internet Corp.
(since 2010)
Recent work history: Affiliated
Computer Services, Kentucky (2005-2009); U.S. State Dept. contractor
(2004-2005); U.S. Air Force, Andrews AFB 389th Communications Sq. (2000-2004)
(Honorably discharged as E4)
Elective experience: None
Political experience: Coordinator,
Rand Paul U.S. Senate primary race in Kentucky (2010); Ron Paul delegate
to GOP convention (2012).
Residency: Mussey
Road, South Portland (since 2009)
Personal: In a relationship; raising five children.
Contact: Phone: (207) 239-4104; email: Mail@VoteMikeWallace.com;
Website: www.votemikewallace.com;
Twitter: @md_wallace
Q: Why do you want to represent your district in the state Legislature?
A: My growing concern for the lack of balance and accountability in our
government, and my desire for the rights of the individual to be respected, has
led me into politics, where I hope to be part of the movement to bring
integrity and respect for the rule of law back to our state and country. We
have a very positive state, and I have no doubt that with some good moves, more
people looking for a better quality of life will want to come to Maine and
invest in our community.
Q: What do you think are the three most important
issues facing Maine? (Of these, please identify at least one issue that is
specific to your district.)
A: 1) The combined public
and private debt, government spending most significantly; 2) Energy; 3) Supporting local food.
Farming is the backbone of our national
security, and it is pivotal to the health and lifestyle of Cape Elizabeth,
South Portland and Scarborough. With the drought in the Midwest and shaky
credit lines we should be looking for ways to support local Maine farmers and
distributors.
Q: As a legislator, what would
you do, specifically, to address these concerns?
A: I will stand up in Augusta against
having our dollar devalued. I will also work to decrease state reliance on
federal matching funds, which encourage poor spending decisions in order to
gain access to federal funding. It is not free money, and we may be paying it
back twice over with cost of living increases.
On energy, my plan would be to champion bills
that balance rights with responsibilities. I am concerned that companies hide
liability behind EPA regulations. If companies were fully responsible for a
spill, we would see much higher energy costs short term, however, it would let
the market make a true decision on the best action to take.
On food, I fully support
Chellie Pingree's local food Farm Bill HR 3286 and want to make sure it is
upheld at the state level if it is not observed at the federal level. I would
go further and say that I would work to ease regulations for local farms, to
allow them to sell directly to neighbors. Items such as raw milk, artisan
cheeses and fermented foods are community driven, and thrive on best practices.
Family farms do not have the resources to be concerned with how Augusta or the
FDA will step in with largely arbitrary regulations. I will be an advocate for
them.
Q: Do you support same-sex marriage? Why, or why
not?
A: I support same-sex marriage, but think
that the state should get out of the marriage business. It is important to
acknowledge the concerns of religious institutions, but it is still up to each
Mainer to define what marriage means within their communities. With economic
and social stresses, 'marriage' as a term has become a battlefield. Family is
family, whatever its makeup and it is facing enormous external pressures.
Having the state give a nod to 'marriage' seems as if we are all looking for an
affirmation that families should not need.
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