Name:

James Hamper

Email address

senatorhamp@gmail.com

Party affiliation

Republican

Legislative chamber

Maine Senate

Legislative district

19

Occupation or primary source of income

Carpenter

Community organizations

A.F.S. American Field Service (foreign exchange students)

Personal information (hobbies, activities etc.)

Hunting, fishing, golf, motorcycling, vegetable gardening

Family status

Married

Years in Legislature

10

Are you a Clean Election candidate?

Yes

Committee assignments you want

Environment and Natural Resources; Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development; Energy, Utilities and Technology; Health and Human Services.

Would you support expanding the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare? Why or why not?

The Legislature previously expanded Medicaid and in 12 years accumulated a $748 million debt to Maine hospitals. I believe in learning by experience and there is no reason to think that this would not happen again. Maine does not have the capacity to pay for more Medicaid expansion.

Should Maine follow the city of Portland’s lead and legalize the possession of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21? Why or why not?

Maine has a regulated medical marijuana program that I have examined and I understand its benefits. I do not support the legalization of recreational marijuana usage.

Should the state of Maine continue to provide incentives for businesses and homeowners to convert or diversify energy sources to those considered renewable, like solar, wind and geothermal?

Is it right to ask every ratepayer, rich or poor, to subsidize their neighbor’s alternative energy project?

Maine’s minimum wage is $7.50 an hour. As a state lawmaker would you support increasing that minimum wage? If so, what should Maine’s minimum wage be?

I do not support a minimum wage increase, I believe the minimum wage is a starting wage for entry level jobs and not a wage intended to support a family.

What issue is the most important to voters in your legislative district?

Jobs and the national economy, EBT abuse and welfare reform.

What about you makes you the man or woman for the job?

Ten years of legislative experience, 10 years of service to the people in the district. I have the right temperament and demeanor to work in an environment that can be extremely hostile at times.

Describe yourself in a “Tweet”

Name:

Rose Rogers-Wells

Email address

R4ndbgw@fairpoint.net

Party affiliation

Democrat

Legislative chamber

Maine Senate

Legislative district

19

Occupation or primary source of income

Charge nurse

Community organizations

Brownfield Historical Society, Hills Animal Shelter, Avian Haven, among others. I also support the work of many nonprofit organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation, Disabled American Veterans, Common Cause, Vote Smart, Planned Parenthood, American Nurses Association and too many others to name them all.

Personal information (hobbies, activities etc.)

My favorite activities include time with my family and friends, especially our dinners where the boys and I cook together and they play music for us. I am an avid student of my nursing profession, medicine in general, anything about the environment, especially climate change issues, politics and economics.

Family status

Wife and mother

Years in Legislature

0

Are you a Clean Election candidate?

Yes

Committee assignments you want

Health and Human Services; Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development; Education and Cultural Affairs.

Would you support expanding the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare? Why or why not?

Yes. I know firsthand how this would benefit our citizens and our economy through my nursing experience. I believe we need to stop demonizing and attacking the small segment of our society that is dependent on assistance. We need to make these services more cost-effective and efficient.

Should Maine follow the city of Portland’s lead and legalize the possession of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21? Why or why not?

Yes. Criminalizing drug use is not a cost effective way to prevent problems of addiction and crimes associated with it in our society. Medically speaking, marijuana is not as dangerous a drug as alcohol.

Should the state of Maine continue to provide incentives for businesses and homeowners to convert or diversify energy sources to those considered renewable, like solar, wind and geothermal?

Absolutely. There has never been a shift in the use of new technology without economic incentive. The switch to renewable technology from fossil fuels is of critical importance to our environmental health and is a pathway forward to rapid economic growth.

Maine’s minimum wage is $7.50 an hour. As a state lawmaker would you support increasing that minimum wage? If so, what should Maine’s minimum wage be?

$10.10 per hour is barely above the poverty line. The minimum wage should be based on the cost of living, not some arbitrary number. The income of the middle class drives growth in the economy of a democracy. If we make corporations pay wages they can really afford, problem solved.

What issue is the most important to voters in your legislative district?

Not being able to afford or have access to the basics: housing, heat, transportation costs, health care, education, retirement.

What about you makes you the man or woman for the job?

I am experienced and educated in understanding and advocating for other people. As a nurse, mother, paralegal, business woman and volunteer, I have worked to help others improve their lives. I am passionate and invested in creating a path forward to a stronger economy and a healthier society and environment.

Describe yourself in a “Tweet”

When I am faced with solving problems my first question is: What can I do to make this better?, not, Who can I blame for this?

Copy the Story Link