Name:
Gerard Tardif
Email address
Party affiliation
Independent
Legislative chamber
Maine House
Legislative district
57
Occupation or primary source of income
Tech.
Community organizations
Started Babe Ruth baseball and coached it for three years. Coached JV baseball in Sabattus.
Personal information (hobbies, activities etc.)
Fishing, hunting, four-wheeling, snowmobiling.
Family status
Married
Years in Legislature
0
Are you a Clean Election candidate?
Yes
Committee assignments you want
Appropriations and Financial Affairs.
Would you support expanding the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare? Why or why not?
Yes. If they pay something every time they use it, like a co-pay. This way I think it would take out some abuse.
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?
I don’t see why not. It can’t be worse than alcohol.
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, they should. But not make it a mandatory percentage.
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?
It should be whatever the U.S. government sets. Hard work will get you a raise.
What issue is the most important to voters in your legislative district?
Taxes on homes and income.
What about you makes you the man or woman for the job?
I do not have to follow any one party. I will vote for what is best for the working men and women in my district and the state.
Describe yourself in a “Tweet”
I am fiscally responsible. I plan on working tirelessly advocating for greater government efficiency.
Name:
Stephen Wood
Email address
Party affiliation
Republican
Legislative chamber
Maine House
Legislative district
57
Occupation or primary source of income
Registered Maine Guide, owner of J&S Guide Services
Community organizations
Sabattus Mountaineers Snowmobile Club, Maine Snowmobile Association member, Maine Professional Guides Association
Personal information (hobbies, activities etc.)
Maine Guide, hunting, fishing, boating, snowmobiling and ATVing
Family status
Married with 3 children
Years in Legislature
4
Are you a Clean Election candidate?
Yes
Committee assignments you want
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; Transportation.
Would you support expanding the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare? Why or why not?
No. Because, when the federal government stops paying the 100 percent the state has no way of paying for it but for raising taxes or making major cuts to programs. This would likely result in the elimination of municipal revenue sharing, which would adversely impact town budgets and property taxes.
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?
I would not support the Legislature legalizing marijuana. I would support a statewide referendum on this issue because it would give the people of the state of Maine the right to make this 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?
I support the use of governmental funds for research and development of these new technologies. However, once developed, the technologies need to be self-sustaining and not require ongoing governmental subsidies.
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 support an increase in the minimum wage on an incremental basis. I also support a return to different levels of minimum wage for students and those persons who are in training or on a probationary period.
What issue is the most important to voters in your legislative district?
Welfare fraud.
What about you makes you the man or woman for the job?
I try to bring common sense to Augusta and to represent all of my constituents, regardless of party affiliation.
Describe yourself in a “Tweet”
I don’t tweet.
Democrat Katherine VerSluis of Sabattus did not respond to the Sun Journal’s questionnaire.
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