Name:

Russell Black

Email address

russellblack@juno.com

Party affiliation

Republican

Legislative chamber

Maine House

Legislative district

114

Occupation or primary source of income

Farmer/logger

Community organizations

Wilton Lions, director; Wilton Library, director; Farmington Farmers Union, director; Franklin County Farm Bureau, director; East Wilton Union Church, trustee; Wilton Fish and Game, member; Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine Sportsman Alliance of Maine; NRA; Maine Maple Syrup Producers Association

Personal information (hobbies, activities etc.)

Gardening, hunting, bee keeper

Family status

Married

Years in Legislature

4

Are you a Clean Election candidate?

No

Committee assignments you want

Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Would you support expanding the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare? Why or why not?

It would depend on what the bill contained and it would have to include managed care. It would also depend on what it would cost the state. It would have to have an opt-out clause if the federal government doesn’t live up to its percentage of payment.

Should Maine follow the city of Portland’s lead and legalize the possession of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21? Why or why not?

No. It should go through the referendum process and let the citizens of Maine make that decision.

Should the state of Maine continue to provide incentives for businesses and homeowners to convert or diversify energy sources to those considered renewable, like solar, wind and geothermal?

Yes. Anything we can do to cut the use of fossil fuels would be in the best interest of Maine.

Maine’s minimum wage is $7.50 an hour. As a state lawmaker would you support increasing that minimum wage? If so, what should Maine’s minimum wage be?

I am interested in having the conversation. I think there possibly could be exemptions, like students and agricultural jobs. I don’t want to put our minimum wage above those of neighboring states, thus losing jobs and businesses. The federal government is talking about raising the national minimum rate.

What issue is the most important to voters in your legislative district?

High property taxes along with the lack of good paying jobs. Being a rural district, a lot of our jobs are tied to our natural resources like pellet mills, paper mills, tourism and farming. We need to expand these areas with value-added jobs.

What about you makes you the man or woman for the job?

I have lived in this district all of my life and served my community for 30 years and I know first-hand the needs and hardships in this area. Having served two terms in the Maine House, I know what it will take to get the job done.

Describe yourself in a “Tweet”

A hard-working common-sense guy who listens to the people in my district. I would be honored to be able to continue to serve them.

Name:

Guy Iverson

Email address

g_i_72000@yahoo.com

Party affiliation

Democrat

Legislative chamber

Maine House

Legislative district

114

Occupation or primary source of income

Walmart Distribution Center

Community organizations

Selectperson

Personal information (hobbies, activities etc.)

Hunting, fishing, cars, chess, and family time.

Family status

Married

Years in Legislature

0

Are you a Clean Election candidate?

Yes

Committee assignments you want

Taxation; Community Development; Employee Rights.

Would you support expanding the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare? Why or why not?

Yes. The costs of the uninsured are currently being passed on to the insured. Every person should have access to quality health care. I support the Affordable Care Act.

Should Maine follow the city of Portland’s lead and legalize the possession of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21? Why or why not?

Yes. While all drug use should be discouraged, we can no longer afford failed drug policies. Our focus needs to be on education and rehabilitation.

Should the state of Maine continue to provide incentives for businesses and homeowners to convert or diversify energy sources to those considered renewable, like solar, wind and geothermal?

Yes. We need to get off fossil fuels and onto renewable energy. Technology is available and should be installed into all our municipal buildings to reduce operating costs. We must reduce operating costs of our municipal buildings to protect the property owners. Property owners can not afford high energy prices.

Maine’s minimum wage is $7.50 an hour. As a state lawmaker would you support increasing that minimum wage? If so, what should Maine’s minimum wage be?

Minimum wage should be a living wage. We will not solve the welfare problem until we solve wage problem. We may need to create a two-tier wage system to protect small businesses from salary increases. But large corporations should be willing to pay our citizens a living wage.

What issue is the most important to voters in your legislative district?

Property taxes, we must control spending and live within our means. Much financing cut by the current administration landed directly on the property owners. Property owners are the backbone of your community. Sixty percent of Revenue Sharing is now going back into the state’s General Fund, not property tax relief.

What about you makes you the man or woman for the job?

I am open-minded and believe it is a privilege to serve your community. I think outside the box and will explore different opportunities. It is important to listen to both sides of the aisle, recognize and promote good ideas. I strongly support an open government, transparent to it citizens.

Describe yourself in a “Tweet”

I’m a working class citizen that wants the best for everyone, not just me. I enjoy a good honest debate, looking to solve real problems.