George Hogan, Democrat

George W. Hogan Sr.

Democrat

Office Sought: Representative – District 13
Age: 74
Occupation: Retired
Education: 2 yrs college
Family: 5 children
Hometown: Old Orchard Beach & Ocean Park

Political experience

Locally I have served on the recreation committee, school board, town council

Statewide, 5 terms as state representative

Why are you running for office?

To continue the work I have done with my committee on transportation for the state and the town of Old Orchard and Ocean Park. The recent work done at the corner of E. Emerson Cummings and Union and Saco Ave. is an example of what I work on in conjunction with the dept. of transportation.
Also making sure the water adjacent to OOB shoreline remains to Old Orchard Beach. As you may know my bill, L D. 2188 did amend the boundary of water between Saco and Old Orchard Beach giving Old Orchard jurisdiction of the bay previously taken by Saco

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
  At this time I could not vote for it although I would like too. Who wouldn’t like their income tax reduced? This would create more than a billion dollar hole in the general budget. The general budget is the one that runs the state of Maine. Trying to make that up by increasing the sales tax would have to be too big an increase I believe.My fear is that by not being able to fill the hole with a sales tax increase other big ticket items would be attack, like education in general revenue sharing aid to education.
Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
- Yes
  I would vote to support background checks. This would be a very small concession for gun owners given what has been going on in our society today. If it could prevent one felon or mentally disabled person from obtaining a gun I believe background checks would be ok.
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
  It has been accepted by most legislators the current wage is not a livable wage.
  What remains is the proper implementation of increase up to at least $12 dollars per hour.
  Also through rule making the particulars would be worked out. For example, how do you apply the increase to workers who rely on tips as their major source of income? Do you allow a $12 dollar per increase to someone who is averaging $20 or 30 dollars in tips.
Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
- No
  The only form of legalizing marijuana I would support is for medicinal use. To promote a high of any kind is not me.
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 believe the state should empathize education forums when it comes to addictions. I also believe education on the curses of opiates should start at an early age from home.
  Education in conjunction with more not less methadone clinics should occur. These clinics are the only place where a sustained program is available to those with an
  opioid addiction.