Paula Sutton, R-Warren, is seeking to represent House District 95, which comprises Appleton, Hope, part of Union, and Warren.

I was born and raised here in Maine and live in Warren with my husband.  Together we raised two girls who are now grown and gone with families of their own. I graduated from Maranacook High School and then from Becker College.   My background is primarily small business.  I’ve worked as a real estate agent and home renovator, a local restaurant cook-owner, a loss prevention analyst and my husband and I have worked together and built a successful real lobster wholesale company, Eastern Traders.  One of the best jobs I ever had was as the program director of gymnastics at the YMCA in Damariscotta where I twice received a volunteer-of-the-year award.   I have traveled extensively in Central America and for a time taught at a remote school in the jungles of Belize.  Third world living provides a stark contrast to the USA and gives me with a perspective that keeps me grateful for all our blessings.  My hobbies include gardening, cross country skiing, hiking and painting.  I consider myself a typical Mainer, multi-faceted and no nonsense.

What are the most pressing issues facing Maine today, and how would you like to see them resolved?

I believe that having a healthier economy will have a positive ripple effect throughout other aspects of our lives.  For example, if there are better paying jobs available people will have a better outlook on their lives and the future and will be less likely to take drugs.  We all agree the opioid crisis is a crippling situation with many lives adversely affected.  Rising property taxes are also a top concern and we must learn to distinguish between wants and needs when adding costs to municipal and state budgets.  There are many good ideas out there but most come with an associated cost which must be factored into decision making.

How will you protect the local (municipal) taxpayer as you help shape a state budget?

I will use one simple rule.  I will ask myself “does this benefit all of people of Maine or does it benefit a select group or special interest?”

What policies would you create and promote to build Maine's natural resource-based economy?

Maine is blessed with an abundance of natural resources such as timber, lobster, blueberries, and clean lakes and streams. We have a variety of policies in place that appear to be doing their job in protecting our important resources.  Using science based decision making coupled with the input of industry experts we can continue to make sure our resources can be used to benefit our future.  The spruce budworm issue concerns me and I have heard that delays in harvesting infected trees has caused waste  because  trees were left in place too long to be of much marketable value;  policies that govern situations such as these need to be more responsive and time sensitive.  I see the role of government more of a protector of our resources rather than a promoter because there should be a level playing field for all.  It seems that if there is demand for a resource and a suitable environment exists then the industry will prosper on its own with no need for special treatment. 

What policies would you create and promote to sustain the natural resources of this state (fisheries, timber, mining)?

This is covered for the most part in my answer to #4 above.  In addition, I would like to consider legislation that would allow a retiring lobsterman to sell his business as a “going concern” and that the sale would allow the transfer of all relevant licenses. 

What is your position on alternative energy and public investment into it?

I am in favor of all types of energy so long as they are efficient and cost effective.  If one person chooses to equip their home with alternative equipment I am not in favor of that cost being subsidized by another. 

What is your position on the five citizen initiatives that are before voters Nov. 8?

No, on them all.

1. No. At the present time we do not have an accurate way to test toxicity levels while operating vehicles and I am worried about the safety of our children, fellow drivers and pedestrians
2. No.  We all agree education is important but disagree on how to provide it at a cost we can all afford.   This measure would increase taxes and the money would be put into the general fund and there is no guarantee it would be used for its intended purpose.    If this tax increase were to occur Maine would be the most highly taxed state in the nation second only to California.  I do not support the concept that spending more money equates to a better education. The Maine people are sick of being misled with these cure all measures.  We have been told that both the lottery and the casinos would pay for our schools and neither time the promises came to fruition.  Many are reluctant to speak out in fear of being labeled anti-children or teacher.  Maine schools do not need more money-they need correct incentives. The way to deliver this and ensure better opportunities for all is to adopt vouchers and more charter schools. 
3. No, Maine currently enjoys a high percentage of gun ownership and a low crime rate.  We do not need this restrictive measure which would make the action of lending hunting rifles to friends a crime.  I resent the fact this measure is being driven by out of state special interest groups with millions of dollars who are trying to drive policy here.  When I was in high school I was robbed at gunpoint at a local convenience store where I worked.  It was a two man job and both had prior felony records. Luckily I had been taught not to resist in that type of situation and willingly surrendered the contents of the cash drawer.  It was a terrifying experience to have a masked man point a gun in my face. After the event it never crossed my mind to blame the gun or demand stricter gun laws.  I knew then and still believe today that it was the evil man holding the gun that was at fault and all the gun laws in the world would not stopped what happened from occurring.  Armed robbery is illegal, felons having guns is illegal and criminals do not follow laws.  We do not have a gun problem we have a people problem.
4. No. Minimum wage is a starting point for unskilled labor and was not designed to be living wage. One troublesome and overlooked aspect of the current proposal as written is that it seeks to eliminate the tipped credit utilized by wait staff and restaurant owners would be forced to pay more in hourly wages.  I have owned restaurants in the past and have also waited tables.  As a former restaurant owner I can tell you I could not have paid more in wages because profit margins are razor slim.  As a former waitress I can tell you that I made an excellent hourly wage and was satisfied with the wage formula.  My research and experience tells me that wait staff would experience a significant loss of income if this passes.   I have serious concerns that if this legislation were to pass it would force the closing of many restaurants who cannot afford to pay more in wages.  Also there are 6000 developmentally disabled adults working for minimum wage now in Maine whose employers may not be willing to pay more for their basic skills thus depriving these individuals an opportunity to participate in their communities and make a contribution to society. Finally, if minimum wage increases the cost will likely be passed along in the form of increased costs for goods and services resulting in no net gain.

    

5. No, I think it's too confusing and complicated.  Governor Jerry Brown of California recently vetoed it citing the same reasons.  The Maine legislature has already considered RCV before and decided that it was not the best course of action.  Maine Attorney General Janet Mills also cites significant constitutional concerns with the legislation and I believe that many supporting it do not fully understand how it works.  Rank Choice Voting does not guarantee a majority and nowhere in the legislation is the word majority actually used.  In the 2011 mayoral race in Portland 19,728 votes were cast.  After 14 rounds of counting utilizing the rank choice method of tabulation the winner emerged with 9,061 votes which is clearly not a majority. 

What issues are emerging from your conversations with the public as you go about your campaign, and what solutions do you envision?

People are talking about high taxes and a welfare system that rewards for lack of effort.  A solution would be to prioritize and spend less.  We must learn to say no under the constant pressure of the natural human tendency to always want more.  We must eliminate the welfare cliff which makes it difficult for those wanting to get back to full time work in that they often lose too many benefits too quickly and are not able to manage their budget. I think we should re-examine our current welfare model and consider having it more time based rather than income based. This way, people would not stay out of the work force too long and become trapped in a system that at times appears to foster dependency.  

A recent Maine Dept. of Labor report indicates the work force will get even older, and more jobs will require post-secondary education.  How will you work to build a knowledge-based economy when so many of Maine high school graduates do not seek higher education?

The government cannot create a knowledge-based economy because it cannot force people to get educated. What the government CAN do if it wishes more people to be educated, create the environment in which educated people are needed for businesses. This can be done by creating an environment that draws those businesses to the state. If jobs are available and Maine has created the correct environment that draws people here, the jobs will come as well as the people.  The reemergence of trade schools is a positive sign and we need to recognize that a college education is not in the cards for everyone.  Working to make Maine a more jobs-friendly environment is my top priority and tax, energy and regulatory reform are what we should focus on.

Is Maine doing enough to accommodate the successful assimilation of immigrants?

My understanding is that there are currently numerous programs in place that teach the English language, assist with job training and placement and provide welfare benefits while the assimilation process occurs.  In Rockland alone, I frequent three different businesses owned by legal immigrants and am impressed with their business acumen and ability to mold their talents to what is needed in the community.  It appears that they are doing an excellent job of assimilating into our state.

What is the best legislative activity that has occurred in Augusta over the last six years. This does not have to mean legislative action, but can include collaboration, research, etc.

Paying off the debt to Maine hospitals in the amount of $750 million was the right thing to do.  It is a disgrace that the situation had been allowed to grow to such a massive number and we need to be proud going forward that our states financial obligations are being paid for in a timely fashion. 

How would you define "good state government?"

One that is small, responsive, sets fair, light rules and empowers its people to be able to succeed or fail according to their own talents and desires.

Is there any other topic or issue you'd like to talk about here? Have at it!

I am concerned about the growing number of citizen’s referendum items that appear on our ballot.  My fear is that a number of these are financed and pushed by out of state special interest groups that will neither have to live under the laws or pay for any costs that they create.  Currently the process to get on the ballot involves the gathering of signatures statewide.  I would like to see the process changed to include language that specifies that proportionate amounts of signatures are gathered from each of the 16 counties.  This would ensure that citizens in all areas of the state are in favor of the proposed changes and that the voice of the smaller groups is not drowned out by the larger population areas.  We are not a democracy but rather a representative republic and the minorities must be protected.