News

Debate in Print
Candidate Q&A

There are ten people running for state seats in Gray and New Gloucester. The Monument issued an invitation to all ten to answer a short survey that asked three local questions, for this week's paper, and we also offered space to publish a position piece next week. We call it a debate in print, and we thank all those who chose to participate.

It should be noted that for Maine House District 105, Durham and New Gloucester, Rep. Mike Vaughan (R-Durham) and challenger Geoffrey Leighton (D) of Durham's answers will be published next week.

House District 109:
Rep. Sue Austin and opponent Steve Bunker

Rep. Susan Austin (R- Gray) had represented Gray and part of New Gloucester in her first term in the Maine house in District 41. The redistricting caused the representative area to be shifted. District 41 no longer exists and the new District is 109, representing part of North Yarmouth, part of Pownal, and part of Gray.

What is your position on the Tax Cap referendum?

Austin: My position was shared several times at Gray Council meetings. I was open and willing to vote for tax reform which lowered taxes, not shifted them. The Maine legislature failed in addressing that cry from the people. Now the tax cap sits starkly alone on the ballot. My position presently is this vote is outside Leadership in Augusta; now it is in your hands. I will share facts that I consider as I approach this vote.

The Tax Cap does cap revenues. It does not address expenditures. It could be likened to using a somewhat blunt instrument of repair to a more precise, intricate surgical procedure.

I supported the Maine Republican Tax Plan that limited growth of spending to a measurable rate. It also proposed a constitutional amendment that would require a 2/3 vote to pass any new fees or taxes. Having that mechanism would insure that more people in Maine were in theory at the table when an increased levy was placed on your back!

The firmest foundation of strength for tax relief and hope of reform is solvency. It is irresponsible to continue with Budget Gaps and projected deficits close to a $ BILLION! So many of you have expressed to me that choosing this Tax Cap plan will finally get the attention of the Legislature? I certainly can understand you saying that; I have wondered if this would do it.

In June, funding of education at 55% passed which requires it to take effect immediately. It is a strong commitment to education that was also considered a form of relief for local property tax. The language does not describe how people will realize that relief. Who is the State of Maine? I consider the State of Maine to be you and me…and our humble pocketbook. The State Capitol doesn't print money. It collects money and then acts as a conduit to disperse it.

Evaluate the facts, consider the varying impacts and cast your vote with the confidence that your decision is appropriate for you, your family and the state. When the Legislature returns to session, tax reform must be effected for the people and I am committed to that happening.

Bunker: We rely too heavily on property taxes for our local needs. I think that is undeniable. But the tax cap is not the answer to the problem. The Palesky proposal is directly taken from an amendment to the California constitution which has sent that state into a 17 billion dollar shortfall, devastated services, schools, and public institutions and forced the new governor to push for a 15 billion dollar bond for short-term relief which will take years to pay off.

In Maine it will mean an immediate drop in local revenues by 25 to 30%. Its implementation is questionable due to conflicts with certain provisions of the state constitution. This will result in a lot of legal wrangling and hair pulling, more unnecessary expense for the attorney general and citizens. It is bad public policy, bad business practice and bad for local control and democracy.

What would be your ideas to reduce the State deficit?

Austin: As we face a projected Billion $ deficit these are the steps that I prescribe and support to balance the Budget: Tie spending to a measurable growth rate, set a moratorium on new programs, a freeze on expansion of existing programs, fully fund OPEGA, insist state departments prioritize their expenditures line by line and consider necessary cuts. We witnessed the exodus of brain injury patients going to Augusta. That was a horrific journey and day in Hearings. We can not expand programs and then make arbitrary cuts that put the most vulnerable in jeopardy of receiving care. That is just plain poor public policy.

Bunker: The public's impatience is understandable. Our last legislature dropped the ball when it came to a budget compromise. Both political parties can take a share of the blame. But simplistic, one shot solutions are not going to solve the problem. We need to step beyond party loyalty and reexamine how and where we spend money and equally important, who pays. Increased departmental efficiencies are likely to be in significant in closing a 750 to 800 million dollar state short fall. We need to re-examine our sales tax policies. About 1/3 of our sales tax revenue comes from building materials and auto sales. Both of these are vulnerable to changing interest rates and fluctuations of the economy. There are also millions of dollars in sales tax exemptions, the result of special interest lobbying, that need to be reappraised.

Most importantly we need to periodically reconsider our priorities. At the top of our list should be the things that bring a return. Taxes should be viewed as an investment. Education, environment, and small business go hand in hand in building a prosperous future in a state that provides for its citizens. Maine should be a place that encourages young people to stay and create businesses and grow families.

Gray Corner is termed by the DOT as a Level F: Failed intersection. Its daily snarls and constant accidents are a public safety concern. In addition, the inhibited traffic mobility affects business, commuters, and tourist perceptions of Southern Maine. What ideas do you have to help the region in and around Gray that is so affected by this horrendous traffic situation?

Austin: During this last session it was my priority to introduce myself to the state parties involved in the By-Pass initiative. Keeping consistent communication with these department heads as well as Commission Cole, I met and communicated with the Commissioner regarding Gray's downtown on several occasions.

With budget gaps and threatened cuts I kept a vigilant tracking of the $6 million funding air marked for this project. While assisting communication between Town leadership and the Department of Transportation I encouraged each to maintain a fluent conversation with periodic updates between the two bodies and intermittent public hearings which have been realized thus far. During these two years, I've talked with land owners, kept them apprised of the situation and alerted to any opportunities to react to the differing phases.

At this juncture we need to consider the approach to the project with regards to certain aspects that could have an effect of either prolonging the planning stage or jeopardizing the existing funding. If bike paths/walk ways and access points to future development are of the highest priority to the Town then it is a position that should be maintained being mindful that due to the state deficit and other critical infrastructure needs, such as the Bucksport Bridge, it is possible that the By-Pass Project could be compromised.

Teaming up with the MDOT we were able to install two signs to assist drivers with safe directional choices moving through the village. We continue to monitor that type of condition to facilitate safe travel.

Over the years a number of connector roads were either discontinued or cut off by the Turnpike. I have voiced the consideration of viable short roads to relieve the pressure in the village.

In the past the Maine Turnpike Authority has been asked to address the truck traffic that avoids the Blueberry Plains/North Gray Barrier and comes through Gray. To date the MTA armed with aerial traffic studies does not acknowledge that the barrier toll is a consideration to truckers or has a significant impact on the compressed condition, noise pollution and stagnation of traffic flow through Gray.

Relief may be a consolidation of several considerations with a team heading in one direction on the By-Pass, a team heading toward grant writing to acquire assistance with the planning/ funding of bike paths, a team working to keep thru traffic on the Turnpike, and a team locating probable short road connectors.

Bunker: I remember when people called Gray "downtown exit 11." It has taken the state many years to address this problem and still we only have pictures and studies. Other parts of the state have gotten their projects funded and underway in the meantime. A big part of the solution to this "back of the line" problem is strong, committed representation. When state and federal dollars are at stake, their will always be competition. It requires savvy negotiating to land those funds and get attention. Our district has been badly divided in the last redistricting and this has hurt our position in Augusta. Strangely, my opponent voted for this division, perhaps not understanding the consequences.

The diversion of much of our heavy truck traffic will go a long way toward revitalizing our business area. We must not let the bypass be postponed again.

We have a new district. It needs new committed representation in Augusta.