Michael Sylvester

Democrat

Candidate’s Links:

Office Sought: Representative – District 39
Age: 47
Occupation: Business owner
Education: Bachelors
Family: Wife, Vanessa, and three sons
Hometown: Peaks Island

Political experience

I was chair of the Peaks Island Council.

Why are you running for office?

I live in a district with some of the wealthiest and some of the poorest people in Maine. i feel that is the duty of government to serve all the people they govern. After 20 years advocating for workers, negotiating with some of the biggest companies in the world, I want to find solutions to problems that are being ignored.

• 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?
  • Other

    I do not support the governors plan. If they sales tax is increased, I would like to see it go to municipalities to cut property taxes so housing can become more affordable.

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

    Background checks keep weapons out of the hands of most who should not have them and yet still allow easy, legal purchase of firearms.

• 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

    All of the studies show that most of the money in those raises stats in the local economy.

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

    I want to stop spending money on wasteful law enforcement of marijuana and see it as a source of state revenue.

• 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?
  • No. Treatment is the answer. I want to see more public health clinics like India Street, not less.

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