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10/20/2008

Rep. L. Gary Knight

Age: 64

Political Party: Republican

Residence: Livermore Falls

Employment: retired community banker, former adjunct instructor of business at the University of Maine at Farmington

Education: B.A. in Economics, Colby College; M.B.A., University of Southern Maine; graduate school of banking, Williams College; graduate in theta class of leadership Maine, Maine Development Foundation

Political experience: One term in Maine House, Joint Standing Committee on Taxation, Paperless Chamber Committee; Former member and chair, MSAD 36, 13 years


Peggy Dwyer

Age: 51

Political Party: Democrat

Residence: Livermore

Employment: farmer, senior services provider

Education: Veterinary Medicine, State University of New York

Political experience: None



1. What can you, as a state legislator, do to help people struggling this year with the high cost of gas and oil?


Knight: Remove the automatic gas tax escalator and compel legislators to vote on increases. Support programs like LIHEAP to assist our most vulnerable. But, these are stop-gap measures. Through aggressive research and development, we must vet wind, solar, tidal, geothermal and nuclear power to determine how to wean ourselves from fossil fuels.


Dwyer: The situation this year caught us all flat-footed. I think this would be an appropriate time to release money from the Rainy Day Fund to increase funding for weatherization, energy audits and emergency fuel assistance. We should also implement strict conservation measures to make sure the state leads by example.


2. How would you handle the biggest issues facing the towns in your district?


Dwyer: I will maximize pubic input, network broadly and actively seek out diverse opinions. The best decisions occur when those who craft the solutions are those who feel their impact, when costs and benefits fall on the same community. Communities work best when decision-making is paired with responsibility and capacity.


Knight: The loss of 150 jobs from closing a Wausau Paper machine will likely have a ripple effect of losses. Now, those folks need state assistance. Ultimately, we need to enhance Maine’s business environment through a major tax structure overhaul and enhanced educational opportunities to encourage companies to locate here.

3. Do you have any plans that would result in more jobs for Maine?


Knight: I would return to the Taxation Committee and pass comprehensive tax reform. Tax policy is critical to company leaders considering Maine. Nationally, Forbes ranks Maine 46th most favorable to business. That must change to attract jobs. Worker education is an important factor. Maine’s universities and community colleges need support.


Dwyer: I will help develop a vibrant clean energy economy, using local resources and initiative.  We will create jobs in the renewable energy industry, utilizing wind, tidal, solar and hydropower. Maine will lead development in clean wood technology. Green jobs can’t be outsourced, and would use the skills of local workers.


4. What do you think of the beverage-tax repeal on the November ballot?


Dwyer: I understand the voter’s frustration.  Taxation is difficult to get right, but at the end of the day, I think the systems that incorporate more “pay as you go” components are fundamentally fairer. To fund Dirigo, we need to remove barriers to participation and negotiate a better deal for consumers.


Knight: I favor the repeal. The 1.8-percent surcharge on paid medical claims is deplorable. The Taxation Committee didn’t vet the bill. There was no public hearing. It was forced through the Legislature on party lines late at night. If increased taxes are to support Dirigo, they should be debated openly.


5. Would you support legislation to change the income tax or sales tax?


Knight: Yes. I suggested and fought for a “flat” income tax as part of a comprehensive tax code reform. We proposed doubling the “homestead” exemption to reduce property taxes. Broadening our narrow sales tax base would fund some of this. Controlling spending is another way to reduce taxes.


Dwyer: Yes. Change means tough choices.  I’d like to see  a bipartisan “fiscal responsibility commission” propose  comprehensive reforms to our budget processes, entitlement, health care and tax systems for an up-or-down vote by the full Legislature, as is done in Congress with military base closings. Everything must be on the table.


6. What’s the biggest social issue facing the state in the next two years?


Dwyer: With the ongoing Iraq war and a global financial bailout in the works, the next federal administration will cut support to the states drastically. Maine will have to re-evaluate and reprioritize every state service and program. How we do that, in times of hardship, will define us as a people.


Knight: The biggest social issue facing Maine is our young folks’ exodus. Passage of Opportunity Maine will mitigate our young from leaving. We need initiatives enabling citizens to stay and develop Maine so our slogan “The way life should be” is attainable. We need to support educational programs at every level.

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