Tax reform is Peter Powers’ top priority.

If the tax cap is approved, he would work to implement the will of the voters, but he has concerns it would be constitutional and could be implemented as written.

And, Powers would push to implement the June tax reform referendum in a year’s time, not five years as Gov. John Baldacci said the state may consider.

Powers favors asking voters to change the state constitution to tax luxury, second homes at a different rate than primary homes, patterned after Michigan law.

“That would mean we’d be able to tax second homes in a separate bracket. I believe that would bring immediate tax relief. I’d like to dump that money right back into the Homestead Exemption and the Circuit Breaker programs,” which provide property tax relief largely on a needs basis.

He does not favor local option sales taxes, saying that could lead to more government and more taxes.

“The only local tax that local government is allowed to collect is property taxes and user fees for things like trash removal. I don’t think we want to get into local sales tax.”

If Maine legalized local option sales taxes, Powers fears “Portland and Lewiston would become huge government taxing bodies.”

If municipalities were to vote for it, Powers favors school consolidation in those towns.

“It’s pretty much up to the municipalities. Obviously, consolidation saves administrative costs, an important key to cutting education costs.”

When lawmakers return to session in January, they will have to deal with the budget deficit.

Powers suggests a total review of the Health and Human Services is in order, as is a review of all state-contracted vendors.

He also favors more legislative oversight to prevent end-of-fiscal-year binge spending to justify the following year’s budget.

Powers opposes any ban outlawing same-sex marriage.

Name: Peter J. Powers

Hometown: Naples

Occupation: Facilities and food service director for Camp O-At-Ka, and supervisor of Food and Beverage Department, Sunday River.

Political party: Democrat

Personal: Married to Christine, one daughter

Years in the Legislature: 0

Clean Election candidate? Yes