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.


HOUSE DISTRICT 110

Mark Bryant, (D) and Don Swander, (R) both of Windham, are opposing each other in the new District 110, representing part of Gray and part of Windham. Since the District is new, neither are an incumbent. Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot.

The Monument: What is your position on the Tax Cap referendum?

Bryant: I support directing property tax relief where it's needed most -- to Maine residents whose property tax burden is more than 5% of their income. To those who feel they need to send a message to Augusta, I say send me!

The Palesky referendum is bad tax and public policy. It will hurt Maine towns and cities. This approach is wasteful and backward. It gives millions of dollars in property tax relief to out of state residents who own property in Maine and weakens Maine's tradition of local control. We need tax reform that is reasoned and sensible, Question #1 is neither.

I support a "save our homes" act, similar to Florida's, in which Maine resident's home valuation can only go up by inflation; secondary homes at market value.

Swander: My take on the Palesky Tax Cap: I feel this tax cap sends a clear message to State government that "enough is enough" and this is the citizen "line in the sand." Unfortunately, the majority in the 121st Legislature did not get the message and they failed to put forth an alternative tax reform plan. Therefore, the voters on Nov. 2nd will either vote "yes" because they want immediate relief and there is no other plan available to choose. Or they will vote "no" with the belief that passing the referendum will be too drastic and too much of a shock to the financial structure of the local budgets.

Also, a no vote would have to be with the belief and trust that (given the right mix of fiscally conservative legislators) the 122nd Legislature will quickly construct ways to provide meaningful income and property tax relief. I plan to vote NO on the Palesky tax cap as I feel it is way too drastic and will create more problems than it fixes.

The significant issue is (from strictly an "election"point of view) that regardless if the Palesky bill passes or fails, the 122nd Legislature is going to be forced to make some of the toughest choices ever presented an elected body. Decisions will need to be made quickly and all the legislators, on both sides of the aisle, will need to work together for the common good as the voters have lost their patience with the partisan bickering that stops work from getting done. I believe I have the communication skills to help get this work done.

We need to restructure and redefine the way local schools are funded as a way of reducing the property tax burden for everyone while being cautious to protect needed town services and the schools' responsibilty to our children.

What would be your ideas to reduce the State deficit?

Bryant: First, the State does not have a deficit. The State's Constitution requires Maine to have a balanced budget and does not permit deficit spending as the President and Congress continues to burden us with.
Second, the State is faced with what is called a "structural gap" in its budget. That is, projected revenues appear to be less than needed to meet project expenses.

The currently the State budget spends about 44% of its dollars on education (at every level), another 32% on mental health and human service programs. That amounts to over 3/4's of the spending in Maine. Additionally, close to 42% of all spending comes back to Maine's towns and counties in the form of revenue sharing, general purpose aid for local education, veteran's tax relief and other programs.

The State needs to establish priorities in funding and priorities in spending. We need to examine all aspects of government, reduce duplication, combine like programs and possibly eliminate programs that no longer relevant. I am not fully aware of the intricacies of State Government, but one possible area to look at is higher education.

As we move toward a community college system and away from the technical colleges, one has to wonder why we continue to have an office of the Chancellor for the University System and an Office of the President in the Community College System. On the surface at least, it seems there may be a way to save money by combining these into a single "higher education administrative" system.

Swander: State deficit: In researching this issue, I find the State Legislature refers to a deficit as a structural gap. They take expected expenditures and compare it to expected revenues. After factoring in growth and inflation, they come up with a number called structural gap. It seems Maine does not allow deficits. On an annual basis, the expediture side has been growing faster than the revenue side. The answer is to stop spending for new expenditures and allow the revenue to catch up.

To do this, I would support a constitutional amendment putting a cap on spending. Also, I would support a constitiutional amendement which requires a 2/3 vote of the legislature to raise any taxes or fees. The answer is to not start any new programs until we pay for the ones we already have. If we were to apply the concept of flat funding all exisitng programs, the natural annual increases in revenues would begin to close the structural gap and eliminate the deficit.

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?

Bryant: I would start by pressuring the Congressional delegation to assist Southern Maine and the greater Gray area FUND and develop mass transit systems. As this area continues to grow, the feasibility of mass transit also increases. Recently passenger train service was re-introduced into Maine, this thinking needs to expand.

As well, real vision and thinking must go into our infrastructure planning. To prepare a plan that simply moves a traffic problem a few hundred feet down the road is not a terribly brilliant or forward looking solution.
Or on the lighter side - walk and bike everywhere...

Swander: Gray Corner: To answer the question of what to do about this unmanageable problem, wirh any degree of wisdom, would take a significant amount of study and research. I do know, from driving thru it myself, that this is the most unsafe intersection I am aware of -- five major roads that intersect at one point and come in at odd angles in the center of a village not far from a thruway exit is very unique. My concern revolves around safety issues at that intersection. I have been told there is a plan by DOT and MTA to establish a by-pass which they say will relieve the traffic congestion at the Gray Corner.

My concern, after reading the plan to build a connector road to Rt.26, is that the first phase of this project will be widening the turnpike bridge on 115/202 which "plans" to begin a year from now in Nov. 2005. When the bridge widening is complete, the traffic that does not want to come thru Gray village will be able to turn left out of the exit and have ample lanes and a traffic light to get on the connector road on the other side of the bridge.It sounds good, but wait -- the construction on the connector road is "planned" to begin "sometime" in 2006 (which could be as late as Nov.).

I have not heard an expected completion date, but the actual completion of the connector road and the connection lanes with rt. 26 could bring us into 2007. Meanwhile, during all this time of construction, nothing was done to improve conditions at the Gray Corner. Then, after all this time and work, the by-pass (when completed) would only raise the Gray Corner rating from a level "F" to a level "D." In my school, a "D" is just barely passing and not considered something to strive for.

I look forward to getting involved in this issue, if you send me to Augusta.