House District 57

(part of Augusta)

Name: Patsy Garside Crockett

Age: 68

Political Party: Democratic

Residence: Augusta

Employment: Retired, lobbyist 10 years; office supervisor, John Hancock Financial Services, 27 years.

Education: Cony High School graduate

Political experience: Member 123rd Maine House of Representatives; Assistant Treasure Maine State Democratic Party; Officer Maine Democratic Party.

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

I will vote to increase low-income heating assistance funding and beef up our weatherization programs, allow more credit for the low income appliance replacement program, and ask people to look in on their neighbors, especially the elderly living alone, much as we did during the ice storm.

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

We need more and better paying jobs. I was cosponsor of the transportation and roads bill. This will provide dollars for the Augusta bridge repair, which will not only improve the downtown, but will provide good paying jobs.

We need more and better paying jobs. I was cosponsor of the transportation and roads bill. This will provide dollars for the Augusta bridge repair, which will not only improve the downtown, but will provide good paying jobs.

 

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

I support research and development funding and transportation bonds. These will both help bring jobs to Maine. I was the sponsor of a bond to fund the Municipal Investment Trust Fund (passed by the citizens) and will again this session submit legislation for that program.

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

I do not support repeal. I was cosponsor of this legislation. There is far more to the bill than just funding Dirigo. There are market reforms that will help lower the cost of health insurance for all Maine citizens. The tax increase is on out-of-state corporations, not Maine businesses.

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

I will submit legislation again this session. We must lower the Maine income tax rate, as it is a real burden for low-income citizens. I believe we must broaden our sales tax base. We rely too much on sales tax from automobiles and building material, and when the economy goes bad, we need to have a broader base and lower the rate.

6. What's the biggest social issue facing the state in the next two years? The high cost of oil and gas. Every state is working on this issue. We are not alone. Maine relies on oil more than most states, and we must help people convert to pellet stoves or boilers and alternative heating.