Maine House 66

Social media accounts
State Representative Jessica Fay on Facebook (@jess4me)

Occupation:
Business owner-florist

Education:
B.A., Simmons College

Community Organizations:
Raymond Age Friendly Community; Raymond Village Library, volunteer; Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce; Raymond Vitalization Committee

Personal information (hobbies, etc.):
Kayaking, competitive dog sports, gardening, photography

Family status:
Married

Years in the Legislature: 2

Committee assignments (if elected):
Environment and Natural Resources, Taxation

Q&A

1) What legislation do you support, if any, to address the state’s opiate crisis?
Increase access to treatment, including medication-assisted treatment, more education about substance use disorder, and provide additional support for law enforcement.

2) What legislation do you support, if any, to address failures in the state’s child abuse prevention system?
Improve the foster care system, increase number of caseworkers and their pay, and devise a long term plan based on a final audit of DHHS by the oversight committee.

3) Should schools continue to push forward with proficiency-based diplomas? Why or why not?
The Legislature passed a law allowing local districts to decide what works best for them. Department of Education can offer additional guidance for individual RSUs.

4) Are you in favor of some type of universal health care for Maine residents? Why, or why not?
Health care costs are skyrocketing and the system is not functioning well. Designing a new system will take patience, we should not rule out any solution.

5) Do you support Question 1 (the 3.8% tax to fund the home care program)? Why, or why not?
Q1 is the overdue beginning of a conversation about aging well in Maine. There are some very real concerns with the way it is written. Making tax policy by referendum has been problematic in the past.

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 will continue to represent my community by being respectful and listening to understand all viewpoints. Valuing the process through which compromise is reached brings us to better solutions.

7) Tell voters something about yourself that they don’t already know, and might surprise them.
I opened my first business on my own in November 2000 with $2,500. Raymond Village Florist transitioned to Maine Lakes Florist when I decided to change the business model to an event-based business.

Speed Round

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