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.


Maine Senate, 11th District

Challenger David Mastropaolo, D-(Falmouth) and Incumbent Sen. Karl Turner (R-Cumberland). Mr. Mastropaolo apologized for missing The Monument's deadline, though he thanked us for the opportunity. Sen. Turner's answers are below.

What is your position on the tax cap?

Turner: In my judgment, this is not the preferred way to do tax reform. This is a complex task that is best done in the back and forth that a legislative process can provide.

Maine's legislature has failed to act on the property tax and how it is administered as well as the broader question of dealing with our state's second-highest-in-the-country tax burden. As a result, we are faced with a citizen initiative born out of frustration and real fear of being forced to move to reduce an unaffordable tax burden.

I am focusing my energy on those things I can do in the new legislature that convenes in December. Whether the tax cap passes or fails, we all know tax reform and property taxes will be one of the top issues facing the new legislature. My plan to deal with the consequences of the referendum vote include:

1. a property tax system that taxes the property of Maine residents differently than non residents and shifts the burden accordingly.
2. a limit in the growth in spending of our three levels of government tied to an index of inflation plus population growth.
3. elimination of the homestead exemption
4. redirect the money used in the homestead exemption to expand the property tax circuit breaker program that helps low income property owners keep their homes

What would your ideas be to reduce the state deficit?

Turner: Absent passage of the tax cap, we are faced with two specific requirements: finding $250 million to fund the increase in General Purpose Aid to Education (GPA) from 43% to 55% and $785 million to fund a structural gap imbedded in the next biennium that begins in 7/1/2005. This general fund gap is driven largely by built-in increases in spending for existing programs.

I think the first thing you do is freeze all existing program spending at current levels. Second, you cull out low value and duplicative programs; you force the streamlining of social service delivery in the now merged Dept of Health & Human Services; you eliminate some of our costly, only one in the nation programs. This money is then redirected to fund a portion of the increase in GPA approved by the voters in June. Lastly, I would direct any new revenues (estimated at $100+ million) to fund GPA.

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?

Turner: We have to move forward with building the Rt. 26 By-pass ASAP. We have made great progress and the start date is in sight with the money earmarked for the By-pass. This is the time to resist scope expansion of the plan which could potentially delay the project. All of us know that completion of this project eliminates all the Turnpike / Rt. 26 traffic that is forced through the village and three traffic lights as well as a 180 degree turn in the space of less than 1000 feet.

My role as your State Senator has been to insure that the DOT has been responsive to citizen concerns. I have met publicly and one on one with department professionals as well as the commissioner. Additionally, I have supported the additional funding requests of the DOT to ensure that funding for the By-pass didn't get diverted to other unforeseen critical projects.

Next, I would like to eliminate the turnpike toll barrier between the Gray and Auburn exits. We know that north bound cars and commercial vehicles get off at the Gray exit to avoid the tolls and travel Rt. 100 to reenter the turnpike at the Auburn exit. The same pattern exists in reverse for south bound traffic. Eliminating the barrier would keep this through traffic out of the village.