Michael Travers

Maine House 64

Social media accounts:                                                              N/A

Occupation:
Retired.

Education:
Some college and tech school.

Community Organizations:
I prefer not to list these.

Personal information (hobbies, etc.):
Motorcycles, hunting, fishing, travel.

Family status:
Married.

Years in the Legislature:                                                                                      None.

Committee assignments (if elected):
Labor, Criminal Justice, Fisheries and Wildlife, Taxation, Education.

Q&A

1) What legislation do you support, if any, to address the state’s opiate crisis?
I support expansion of treatment facilities and halfway houses and encourage the use of drug courts. Beyond that, concentrating on not starting is probably more effective than anything done afterward.

2) What legislation do you support, if any, to address failures in the state’s child abuse prevention system?
Education in detecting child abuse is necessary, especially with mandated reporters. Aside from that, I’d need to study the situation more to offer any other suggestions.

3) Should schools continue to push forward with proficiency-based diplomas? Why or why not?
No. It was an experiment. It was not particularly effective.

4) Are you in favor of some type of universal health care for Maine residents? Why, or why not?
No. Adding layers of bureaucracy is rarely an answer to anything. Government exists to protect us — not provide for us.

5) Do you support Question 1 (the 3.8% tax to fund the home care program)? Why, or why not?
No. Why would anyone want to make Maine the highest taxed state in the nation? Why would anyone want to create another government bureaucracy?

6) Are you frustrated by the political sniping, exaggeration and even lies between the parties and their supporters that have threatened progress usually reached through respect and reasoned compromise? If so, what will you personally do to make the situation better?                                                                                      Yes. The best solution is to not reward the perpetrators by electing them to office. Certainly, the Legislature could do a better job of policing their members.

7) Tell voters something about yourself that they don’t already know, and might surprise them.
My wife and I had a child with major medical problems who we lost when he was 7 years old. We have experienced the frustration of our health care industry firsthand.

Speed Round

Should voters be required to show ID at the polls?                                               Yes.