SENATE DISTRICT 21

Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, Litchfield, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, West Gardiner and Winthrop.

Name: Sharon Benoit

Age: 63

Political Party: Democrat

Residence: Monmouth

Employment: retired former elementary school teacher; former director of development and community relations, Mercy Hospital; founded small public relations business

Education: B.S. in education, University of Southern Maine

Political experience: eight years in Maine House 1976-84; three years South Portland City Council, one term as mayor

Name: Earle McCormick

Age: 65

Political party: Republican

Residence: West Gardiner

Employment: retired

Education: B.S., St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo.; M.S., Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.

Political Experience: Maine House 121st & 122nd Legislatures; Maine Senate 123rd Legislature

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

Benoit: I don't think there is much I can do about the price of gas at the state level. As for oil, I will support efforts to obtain additional funding from the federal government to subsidize heating costs for Mainers who qualify for assistance.

McCormick: Assist and inform people of the numerous state, local and nonprofit agencies prepared to provide assistance in weatherizing their homes, information regarding upgrading or replacing old heating systems, emergency funds or shelter for those in need.

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

Benoit: The issues that people talk about most often are the fears they have about paying for oil this winter and property taxes. I will support efforts to obtain additional funding from the federal government to subsidize heating costs for Mainers who qualify for assistance, and the use of more state dollars, if necessary.

McCormick: Treat each issue as it comes up. Sometimes the solution requires interacting with our congressional delegation, sometimes it can be resolved working with our state department heads, or possibly it will require legislation.

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

Benoit: I believe we should review all economic incentives for business that are now available in order to determine whether they are the right ones for today's world and whether or not we need to amend current incentives or create new ones.

McCormick: We must make sure we have the skilled work force necessary to attract new businesses by increasing educational and technical training opportunities. We also must continue tax incentives for businesses that will make us competitive with other states.

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

Benoit: It is up to Maine people to decide whether or not they want to help fund a program that is available to approximately 18,000 working Maine people who otherwise would not have access to affordable health care coverage.

McCormick: I did not vote for the beverage tax and I support its repeal. Dirigo Health can continue to be funded by the savings offset payment.

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

Benoit: I support a review of all Maine taxes, including the income and sales tax and the higher meals and lodging tax. Reform of our tax system has been a rallying cry in Augusta for some time, with minimal results.

McCormick: I would support a tax reform plan that rebalanced the three primary taxes -- income, sales and property -- to make the revenue stream more stable and fair, provided it did not result in an overall increase in total taxes collected.

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

Benoit: The immediate social issue is the inability of many Mainers to pay to heat their homes, put food on the table and buy gas to get to work. The greatest long-term challenge is the Maine economy, so that Mainers will have access to quality, clean jobs that offer health care insurance.

McCormick: The increased importing and use of illegal drugs. We see its impact daily on crime in our neighborhoods, overburdened court system, incarceration levels and costs, mental and physical health care costs, domestic violence and the deterioration of the family and homelessness.