The House District 66 race features incumbent Jessica Fay (D-Raymond) against challenger Gregory Foster (R-Raymond). HD 66 includes parts of Casco, Raymond and Poland.

The News posed the following questions to the candidates; and their responses are arranged in alphabetical order:

Q. 1 — What qualities, skills and experiences do you possess that make you the best candidate for the job?

Fay: During these particularly challenging times, experience matters. As the State Representative for Casco, Poland and Raymond for two terms now, I have learned so much — not only about the process of lawmaking, but also how to work with various state agencies to successfully solve problems for folks here in the District.

Excellent listening skills and the willingness to walk in other people’s shoes, to want to know their stories and help solve problems, is central to how I approach the job of State Representative.

A sense of humor is also really helpful, as we do better work when we can all laugh together.

Being able and willing to work with folks from across the political spectrum to solve problems, to negotiate effectively, and to be able to compromise are important, and by passing most of my sponsored bills with bi-partisan support, I have demonstrated that ability.

Serving in the Legislature is a privilege, but it also requires a hard worker — something I’ve been all my life — since I started working at 14, scooping ice cream.

Foster: Since 1980, I have been a practicing licensed forester, first employed by the Maine Forest Service and the Bureau of Public lands. For approximately 18 months, Augusta’s Harlow building was my office, where I conducted administrative type functions for the Bureau of Public Lands. I learned quite well my way around our state capital and the function of other departments.

Over my career as a forester, I have been active in following, testifying and assisting in creating legislation effecting the forest community of Maine.  Even though I am not currently a legislator, I know many of the players that make things happen in the State House, a result of my career experience and the fact that my dad served three terms as a Representative.

Since 1994, I have owned a Consulting Forestry Firm. Having a business experience representative is very good.

Q. 2 — As Maine continues to contend with and bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic, what three areas should state government focus on and what possible solutions would you propose?

Fay: Economic Recovery Commission recommendations are being developed on an ongoing basis through a deliberate, non-partisan stakeholder process. These recommendations touch on important sectors of Maine’s economy and build on innovation driven by our response to Covid-19 and by the state’s Economic Development Plan. This is important because part of solving Maine’s current revenue shortfall is tied to rebuilding our economy in a diverse and sustainable manner.

Access to affordable high-speed Internet for education, remote work and telehealth — encourage more local public-private partnerships so rural communities can take better advantage of available resources.

Access to childcare and to long-term care and addressing the workforce issues of both sectors. Availability of both child care and long-term care was at a crisis point before the pandemic hit and has been made even more critical during Covid-19. Frontline workers in both settings must be paid and valued more, their work is part of the foundation that supports and contributes to a strong economy.

Foster: Every effort should be made to get federal funds into the hands of private business and the people. Federal money should not be used to expand state government or the number of state employees.

Significantly relax the restrictions imposed by the governor, so people can return to normal, and get back to work. Selectively retain reasonable restrictions in areas such as assisted living facilities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Intervene with the Department of Labor to get unemployment checks to people who qualified, but have not received them.

Q. 3 — Where do you stand on the proposed Central Maine Power proposed transmission corridor, good or bad deal and why?

Fay: I am opposed to the proposed corridor. As a member of both the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, I have had the opportunity to ask questions of CMP/Avangrid/Iberdrola that have still not been answered to my satisfaction. These questions include possible impacts on wildlife habitat, possible harm to water quality, effects on viewscape, and the short- and long-term impact on local economies in the corridor region.

Additionally, as the co-sponsor of a bill that asked for an unbiased, scientific report to be prepared that would examine the true net greenhouse gas reductions, I am disappointed that CMP fought so hard against providing that information to the Legislature and to Maine people.

Foster: I support the corridor. It is a good clean cost-effective dependable source of energy, and there are benefits for Maine.

Q. 4 — If elected, what items/issues would be priorities and what might be ways to address them?

Fay: For our region, protecting water quality and the environment are vital to our economy and to what makes this region special. I’ll keep working with DEP to update policies that help meet these goals.

Over the past few months in conversations with constituents, we’ve identified a number of changes to insurance, boating laws, domestic violence concerns and other issues that impact people in their everyday lives. As I have in the past, we will work together on the issues that are important to people in the district. The legislation that I’ve sponsored and passed into law was often the direct result of input I’ve received from constituents.

Outside of my committee work, I will continue to focus on how we can improve what it means to age well in Maine. As a member of the Age-Friendly State Advisory Committee and the Long-Term Services and Supports Advisory Board, as well as the House Chairperson of the Commission to Study Long-Term Care Workforce Issues and the Aging Caucus co-chairperson, I have spent the last few years advocating for older Mainers and working on changing the narrative around aging. In the oldest state in the country, issues around aging should be one of the most important policy areas we address, especially given this population’s vulnerability to Covid-19 and the flu. When we incorporate solutions into our policies that assist our older residents, it benefits everyone in our state, no matter our age or abilities.

Foster: Maine’s poor economic situation, coupled with the Covid-19 shut down is huge. The first priority is to get unemployment payments to those who qualify and have not received them. In addition, create a reopening strategy that results in Maine returning to normal as soon as possible. Third, reduce the cost of state government, which will require department head cooperation. It is imperative that any state permitting process be streamed lined so the Jay paper mill digesters can be replaced as soon as possible. 

Q. 5 — What are the three biggest challenges Maine faces in the next three years…

Fay: Addressing the revenue shortfall and crafting a responsible budget that works within that framework; diversifying and re-starting our economy; accessing affordable healthcare.

Foster: The state budget and getting our economy in better shape; opioid addiction; ending the pandemic strangle hold.

Q. 6 — …And how should state government go about addressing those challenges?

Fay: These three challenges are interrelated. All will require a high level of cooperation and compromise among the Legislature, the Administration and state departments. Maine is constitutionally required to have a balanced budget, so we must look at projected revenues and make difficult decisions about how to allocate that revenue.

Prior to the pandemic, our economy was doing fairly well, though not for everyone. The cost of healthcare has created significant pressure on workers, families, and older Mainers, and the overall well-being of people in our state. Those pressures have only increased due to Covid-19. There is no one correct solution to solving these problems, no silver bullet. Complex problems take serious planning and the involvement of all the many voices impacted.

The most important thing is that any solution must put workers, families, older adults, and small businesses first. State government must be willing to look at all ideas — regardless of where and from whom they come – in order to craft a plan to move Maine past this crisis. Some of my specific ideas can be found in the answer to Question 2 above.

Foster: Our budget will not get better unless our businesses get better, which means improving Maine’s business climate. Thriving businesses will pay better wages, and employ more people, both of which will contribute more tax revenue to the state.

Government policies and entitlement programs have reduced the need/desire of families to stay together and be fully committed to raising their family. There is great dignity in the parent being gainfully employed, productive and having worth in a job. I will support legislation and policies that result in higher individual income and people being more dependent on themselves through the reward of working. I think people with a purpose in life and whose priority is their family are significantly less likely to abuse drugs.

Because Maine is so rural, any limits or restrictions imposed on people in response to Covid-19 should be lifted in the most rural counties. Otherwise, high population areas, like assisted living facilities, should retain reasonable restrictions.