Janice C. Barter, Maine House 68

Social media accounts

Occupation:
Medical office manager/owner, Naples Fitness Center

Education:
BA, economics, Tufts University

Community Organizations:
SAD 61 School Board, 1998-present

Personal information (hobbies, etc.):
Golf, travel, reading

Family status:
Married 37 years, 2 sons

Years in the Legislature: None

Committee assignments (if elected):
Appropriations and Financial Affairs, Education and Cultural Affairs, Health and Human Services, Insurance and Financial Affairs

Q&A

1) What legislation do you support, if any, to address the state’s opiate crisis?
Medicaid expansion would allow many more to receive treatment. Communication between the primary care doctor and the addiction specialist needs to be mandated so prescriptions are given appropriately.

2) What legislation do you support, if any, to address failures in the state’s child abuse prevention system?
Legislation that increases the amount of caseworkers in the state would enable more frequent visits. Legislation that helps pay for parenting classes to learn coping skills would be valuable for many.

3) Should schools continue to push forward with proficiency-based diplomas? Why or why not?
A proficiency-based diploma would be great if every school system, administrator, or even teachers within one subject area had the same idea of what “proficient” means. It’s not a workable system now.

4) Are you in favor of some type of universal health care for Maine residents? Why, or why not?
Yes. Insurance premiums are too expensive, even with a high deductible. An income based MaineCare buy-in may be a good option. Kids can be covered this way now under the Child Health Insurance Program

5) Do you support Question 1 (the 3.8% tax to fund the home care program)? Why, or why not?
No. It requires another state board and advisory committee just for this funding. Of the estimated $3 million raised, more than 25 percent can be spent on administration, not to the eligible people in need.

6) Are you frustrated by the political sniping, exaggeration and even lies between the parties and their supporters that have threatened progress usually reached through respect and reasoned compromise? If so, what will you personally do to make the situation better?

I am tired of the partisan politics. As the primary negotiator for SAD 61 I have looked for win-win situations in dealing with employee contracts. Building trust and working with others is critical.

7) Tell voters something about yourself that they don’t already know, and might surprise them.
My first real job was working in the tobacco fields in Connecticut where I grew up. I was hot, dirty and sweaty all summer. If my parents hadn’t taught me enough about hard work, that sure did.

Speed Round

Should voters be required to show ID at the polls? No