Stanley Byron Short Jr.

Democrat

Office Sought: Representative – District 106
Age: 65
Occupation: State Legislator
Education: Graduated from Lawrence High School and Southern Maine Vocation Institute
Family: Married, two children
Hometown: Pittsfield

Political experience

When I think of my political experience I believe that it goes far beyond the boundaries of the last four years that I have had the privilege of serving the residence of Clinton. Detroit, and Pittsfield as their Representative in the Maine House. I believe that my many years of experience as a Labor Leader, not only here in Maine but throughout 14 States, counts as political experience. During that time I had meetings with many political leaders at both the state and federal level to discuss the issues of working men and women. Nearly all of the books that I have read in my lifetime are about political figures and/or political issues from around the world.

I truly enjoy the world of politics and having the privilege of being a part of that world thanks to the people of Clinton, Detroit and Pittsfield.

Why are you running for office?

My reasons for running for office are many, but first and foremost is my heartfelt desire to assist the people of Clinton, Detroit and Pittsfield with meeting the challenges that life brings their way and I believe that as a member of the House of Representatives I have the ability to do just that. Secondly I have a world of experience in assisting working men and women and their families for nearly thirty years and I want to use that experience to continue with that effort. I also believe the experience that I gained by being party to the successful negotiations of eighteen labor contracts, and being an advocate for working men and women, will be of great value to all concerns when it comes to reaching good bi-partisan solutions that will be of benefit to businesses and their workers alike.

Also, I believe very strongly that the State of Maine has a great deal of potential when it comes to attracting businesses, small and large alike, and I want to see that potential developed for the good of all Mainers. I am very interested in the further development of our fishing and hunting opportunities throughout Maine, because I believe that the job opportunities and small business opportunities that would come from that expansion are limitless. I also want to be party to doing everything possible to protect the jobs of the papermakers that we have left here in Maine. I also want to take part in developing bi-partisan solutions that will assist the working men and women that have suffered through the devastating loss of good paying jobs with great benefits due to the shutting down of so many paper mills.

Finally, I find working for the people of Maine a very rewarding experience, I enjoy assisting them whenever and wherever I can. Furthermore, I find the learning experience that I have gained from just sitting down and listening to them to be priceless, especially when it comes to making decisions that will have an affect on them.

• 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

    I believe that the Governor’s proposal will have a very negative effect on our elderly. Most of our elderly currently have very little taxable income and the proposed increase in sales tax would simply increase their tax burden. It will increase the taxes on the things that our elderly need the most, which in many cases will cause them to go without those necessities.

• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • No

    The problem as I see it with question three is that it goes too far, because included in this proposal is temporary transfer, where possession and not ownership of a firearm changes. For instance if I wanted to lend a friend one of my shotguns we would have to meet with a licensed gun dealer. The process that the dealer will have to go through will result in my friend being on record as the owner of that shotgun. So, in order for me to get that shotgun back when my friend is done with it we will have to go through that process again in reverse and that also comes with a cost of 30 to 50 dollars a visit. This proposal, the way I read it, brings with it many ways in which a person can inadvertently violate the law.

• 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

    I believe that an increase in the minimum wage will bring with it more positives that negatives. For instance, workers will have more money to spend and if more money is spent businesses will have to hire more people to keep up with sales. In addition to that the need for welfare will decrease, which will help with the lowering of tax dollars being used to support those programs.

• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • No

    My reasons for not supporting the legalization of marijuana for recreational use are, it is addictive, it is a gateway drug, it will increase the incidents of people driving while high, it will increase the chances of the drug falling into the hands of children and lastly the smoking of marijuana is related to health issues.

• 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?
  • I will have to say no as to whether or not the state is doing enough, but I think that is the case on a national level as well. I think that the rise in heroin/opiate addictions and overdoses around the country is proof of that. However, I do think that the state is doing all that it can, because I do not believe that anyone has come up with a solution to the problem at this point.

    As to what else can be done I think that we need to increase the education of our people as to the dangers associated with these terrible drugs and learn all we can from those that have suffered and are suffering with this addiction. Last but not least we must be very aggressive with keeping in touch with those that are searching for a solution in the medical field.

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