Incumbent Bonnie Gould is running for Maine House of Representatives District 146 (North Berwick and parts of South Berwick. If you want to know what district you are in go to Maine.gov-lookup)
Tell us something about yourself?
When I moved to the area in 1994, it was with the intent of staying two years – three years at most – and then returning to northern Maine as soon as my husband’s professional obligations and mine were over. Here I am fourteen years later (still trying to convince family and friends that this really is still Maine down here). We live in a beautiful area that I am proud to represent in the Maine House.
Besides serving as a Representative, my other full time job is practicing law. In 2001, I left professional life in Portland, to hang out my own shingle. While Portland brought better pay and interesting work, it kept me away from my son; a son who was growing up all too fast without me. It was turning my “home” into a place I slept at night, and cleaned on weekends; never really extending beyond that to my community, except for the little time I could squeeze in for Rotary. One morning driving to work, I realized that it wasn’t worth it anymore; that it wasn’t giving me what I wanted – to see my son, to volunteer in school, to walk down Main Street, eat at Mayo’s, actually get to know people who lived in my town
Though serving in the Legislature is full time, and practicing law is full time, (and I teach one day a week at Husson University in their business program and paralegal program), I still have the chance to participate in my communities and to see my son. I make a point of arranging my law practice and my teaching so that I can attend school concerts, baseball games, Boy Scout gatherings, and youth group functions. I attend every meeting and function in South and North Berwick that I can. I serve as a Deacon at First Parish and am a charter member and the Foundation Chair for the South Berwick-Eliot Rotary.
Why are you running for this position?
It has been my extreme pleasure and privilege to serve the people of North Berwick and South Berwick for the past two years in the Maine House. Having become a part of my community, it was and remains very important to me to give back.
I am very fortunate to have had a loving stable home, with two parents who saw to it that I had all the necessities of life and many of the extras. I have had many opportunities in life that others have not. Like so many others, however, I too struggle to make my mortgage payment some months. I’m wondering whether I will really have enough money to heat the house this winter. Having had my first marriage end in divorce, I know what it is like to feel lost and lonely. With serious back issues that necessitate painful and costly procedures, I fight the insurance battle on a regular basis. In short, I know what it is like to have and enjoy, and I know what it is like to struggle and endure.
I believe that every member of society should serve to whatever extent he or she can- share whatever gifts he or she has. For some that may mean, something as simple as extending a hand or a warm smile to another on the street. It may mean being a Boy Scout or Girl Scout. It may mean doing a walk for hunger or cancer; serving on a town board or committee, showing up to and participating in a town council meeting, running a campaign, or as in my case serving in the Legislature. I truly believe that the key to our future, to your children and grandchildren’s future, is to share our gifts with one another.
Many of you have heard me talk about what an awe-inspiring experience it is to serve in the Legislature. It is truly humbling that you allow me to participate, on your behalf, in government this way. It is without doubt, the most frustrating thing I have ever done! More frustrating even than raising a teenager. Few are the days that I don’t walk out of the State House muttering under my breath – and sometimes above – that I am never coming back; that “those people” are all crazy! But I do go back. Each day, as I drive up the hill and see the Capital Dome appear above the trees I am overtaken again by the pride and honor in being the best voice that I can for the people in my district and in the State. Some nights when I am one of the last to leave the building, I stand in the silent and dimly lit Hall of Flags, and I feel the echoes of all of the generations who have gone before me, and again I am so humbled and honored that you allow me serve.
What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing House District 146?
The people of District 146 face all the same issues that the rest of Maine people face.
Regardless of which survey you look at and whether we place as the highest taxed or the fifteenth highest taxed – the fact is, Maine people relative to their income, pay a burdensome share of taxes. The real pain of that is the lack of control and accountability for Augusta’s spending of much of those tax dollars.
Whether a resident of the Berwicks or of the Oxbow, all Mainers are struggling with the cost and availability of health insurance. We have a system in place that has resulted in all but one private health insurance company leaving the state. We have a public system DIRIGO, that has clear flaws – five years out and less than 14,000 insured, more than $164 million spent, the program closed to new enrollment for the past year – and no solutions being offered other than to simply pump more tax dollars into the system.
While the last few weeks has brought some relief in the oil market, the cost of and supply of energy is another concern for all Mainers. We are far too dependent on outside sources and on non-renewable sources. Maine must begin real discussion of and real moves toward harnessing other sources of energy including wind and water.
In addition to all of these and more, we in District 146 (and the other border districts) face the enhanced impact of the poor business decisions that Augusta has made. We feel much more acutely the regulatory burden when we lose our business or new business opportunities to neighboring New Hampshire. We feel, more acutely, any increase in sales tax. We struggle more with revenue sharing when much of the “wealth” comes from and through our towns, but is shifted elsewhere in the State.
Maine’s greatest opportunity is Maine herself and her people – her unique brand – the way life should be. The Brookings report made that very clear to us. Our work on the Prosperity Committee focused around our positive qualities; our workforce, our traditional industries, our open spaces, working waterfronts, and beautiful downtowns and how to preserve and protect them for their own value, but because they are economic engines. Inland Fisheries and Wildlife recognizes this with their “Begin with Habitat” campaign, which shows clearly the connection between our outdoor activities of hunting, fishing, skiing, and the like, and the huge amount of money that those industries generate for the State. We need to continue our work on cluster developments – spending the State’s limited research and development and innovation funds on those industries/activities that we do and do well and that continue to make Maine the quality place that everyone wants to visit and we all love living in.
If you are re-elected, what priorities will you have for your term in office?
My priorities will continue to be representing you full time, keeping in touch with you and letting you know what is happening in Augusta, and always and eagerly listening to your concerns and thoughts.
I will continue to work hard, to work across the aisle, and to do what I believe is right.
My legislative priorities will be to continue working with my fellow Prosperity Committee members to carry forward our unanimous, (Republicans, Democrats, an Independent and a Tribal Representative) work. As Brookings said, to preserve Maine’s unique brand, and to put Maine back on track, I will continue our work of:
-pushing forth our plan for reducing the tax burden over time from the current 8.5% to 4.5%;
-continuing the role of OPEGA ( the government oversight office which the majority sought to do away with this session), and institute a BRAC type independent committee to evaluate government spending and delivery of services;
-putting together a comprehensive energy plan for the state;
-proposing market reforms that will provide for competition and consumer choice in health insurance, as well and importantly, supporting health oriented legislation again such as wellness tax credits, and physical education.
-continuing work to protect our beautiful heritage. This past session I worked on both the Prosperity Committee and the Taxation Committee, to see to it that we passed the Historic Tax Credit; a credit which will help in the revitalization of our downtowns and consequently the slowing of sprawl and destruction of our rural and wilderness areas.
And I will continue my work on the Judiciary Committee, the Court Infrastructure Advisory Committee, and the Indigent Defense Commission, to make sure that justice really is accessible to all.
What strengths, skills, and qualifications would you bring to the office?
I am well known in Augusta for my strength and independence. Recently, in an unsolicited endorsement, The Alliance for Maine’s Future noted that I have the kind of political independence and leadership qualities that are needed in Augusta. A supporter of mine painted a campaign sign that said, “Gould has Guts.” Guts/Backbone is what we need in Augusta, especially during this time when we will be called upon to manage scarce resources and make tough decisions. Leadership on both sides of the aisle know that they can count on me to listen, learn, do all my homework, ask the tough questions, and do what I think is right – regardless of whose idea, what party, or what they promise. Speaker Cummings has particularly noted my “demonstrated ability to work in a bi-partisan manner” for the best of all.
I will continue to bring my message of common sense to Augusta. As my father frequently says, “our brains have exceeded our common sense,” and no place do I think that is more evident than in government. While life is undoubtedly complex, it is amazingly and unnecessarily so in government. I will continue to work on making our government more efficient and thus more effective. Alan Caron said at this year’s Grow Smart Summit, that it is all about efficiency; efficiently using and utilizing our natural resources, our historical resources, and our tax dollars. He is right. We are the stewards of it all. Nothing exists in a vacuum, and I will continue the work that I began – being the best steward of our precious resources that I can be on your behalf.
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