Maine House 51

Social media accounts
Facebook: Joyce “Jay” McCreight Maine State Representative, HD51

Occupation:
Maine State representative, 30-year career social worker/clinical counselor (retired)

Education:
BA, sociology; MSEd, clinical counseling

Community Organizations:
Volunteer, Orrs and Bailey Island Fire Department; founding member, Harpswell Aging at Home; member, Harpswell Heritage Land Trust; member, Harpswell Historical Society; secretary, Gun Point Road Association

Personal information (hobbies, etc.):
Hiking, walking, gardening, sewing, pets (cat and dog)

Family status:
Married, 2 adult children, 4 grandchildren

Years in the Legislature: 4

Committee assignments (if elected):
Marine Resources, Judiciary, Taxation, Health and Human Services, Task Force to Address the Opioid Epidemic in the State (i.e. Opioid Task Force)

Q&A

1) What legislation do you support, if any, to address the state’s opiate crisis?
Holistic approach: prevention, treatment, law enforcement. Prevent incarceration through diversion programs, increase drug court capacity, for those incarcerated provide treatment within jail.

2) What legislation do you support, if any, to address failures in the state’s child abuse prevention system?
Decentralize intake services, increase staff to eliminate or reduce on-hold time, increase child protective workers, stop sub-contracting protective services, restore support services for families.

3) Should schools continue to push forward with proficiency-based diplomas? Why or why not?
We need to meet the needs of all students, recognize different learning styles. One-size fits all is not realistic. I never want a student who has attended and who has done their best be denied.

4) Are you in favor of some type of universal health care for Maine residents? Why, or why not?
Yes. Everyone needs access to quality health care. It’s good for individuals, families, communities, our workforce, all of us benefit when everyone have access to preventative and ongoing health care

5) Do you support Question 1 (the 3.8% tax to fund the home care program)? Why, or why not?
I support the referendum concept. We’re the oldest state, our aging population needs access to direct care services. Direct care workers need a fair wage. We need to address the lack of workforce.

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?

Yes, I’m disgusted by the lack of civility and exaggeration and untruths. I choose to model honesty, refuse to participate in the negativity, would speak out against it if anyone does so in my name.

7) Tell voters something about yourself that they don’t already know, and might surprise them.
I worked as an advocate with families, children, adolescents and view being a legislator as continued advocacy. More interesting might be that I make many of my own and my family’s clothes.

Speed Round

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