James Davitt

Democrat

Office Sought: Representative – District 101
Age: 74
Occupation: Assoc. Professor UMA
Education: Law School
Family: Married, four adult children
Hometown: Hampden

Political experience

Planning Board, Hampden, 2013 – present; 127th Legislature.

Why are you running for office?

The state has many needs, including, but not limited to, lack of health insurance for thousands, housing for senior citizens, a DHHS that appears to be at war with the poor and those most of need for its services, and an atmosphere of anger in Augusta. In my first term I was able to move bi-partisan legislation by being civil and it is my hope that in a second term that air of civility will become common so that we can concentrate on what needs to be done for all Mainers.

• Income Tax: Gov. LePage would like to lower Maine’s income tax rate and eventually eliminate it, by increasing the state’s sales tax and expanding it across a broader range of goods and services. Do you support this proposal?
  • No

    There is no reasonable workable alternative to the income tax. Increased taxes on goods and services become horribly regressive putting more goods and services out of reach for those with minimum paying jobs.

• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • Other

    I support checks for guns sold at gun shows and for private sales but do not support such checks for situations in which a gun is gifted to a family member.

• Minimum Wage: In light of the ballot question facing voters this fall, do you support raising the state’s minimum wage from $7.50 to $12 an hour by 2020?
  • Yes

    The minimum wage has not been raised in years and is a barrier to anyone who wants to improve his/her life. Even at $12 an hour the result would be an employee who would still be living just above poverty level.

• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • Yes

    The Federal anti-marijuana laws are based on racism and not based on medical reality. If alcohol is the most used legal drug then marijuana – which has far less health problems – is the highest used non-legal drug. It makes no sense to make a crime for merely using marijuana.

• Addiction/Overdoses: Do you believe the state is doing enough in response to the rise in heroin/opiate addiction and overdoses? If not, what else should be done?
  • We made a good start in the 127th Legislature. In the coming years we must provide more extensive treatment programs, statewide, along with active out-reach to addicts. Although we have increased police funding for interdiction we must also provide training for the police in emergency response to overdoses and a greater ability for them to refer an addict to recovery programs that are fully funded.

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