House candidate vows to fight for tax reform

I decided to run to be the state representative for House District 16 in Bangor because I want somebody in Augusta who spends each and every day fighting for people like my Grandpa Powell. An Army medic in the 1950s, he worked in factories and hotels his whole life to support his family. He turned 75 in June. Today, he lives on Social Security, Medicare, and veterans’ benefits – programs designed to honor and aid those who have spent their lives giving to our country.

Unfortunately, budget cuts and bad policy decisions have made his life too difficult. This winter, my grandfather may be forced to choose between food, medicine and heating oil.

He already ignores some of his prescriptions so he can afford “the more important ones” because he can’t afford them all. My mom and my aunt do everything they can for him, taking time away from their jobs to make sure he gets the care he needs.

I have the experience to be effective on Day One. For the last two years, I have worked with home care workers and home-based day care providers around the state to help them earn a living wage and livable benefits. A lot of that work took place in Augusta and in the Legislature.

But the most important experience in this election isn’t mine – it’s yours. For the past five months, I’ve been walking up and down the streets of District 16 knocking on doors and talking to voters to ask what’s on their minds.

I heard from a couple just off Ohio Street who told me they can’t find work anymore that pays the bills. When the mill where they worked closed, they went to Wal-Mart. I told them that I will introduce an economic development plan in January that will create good jobs again here in Maine. We have to get our economic future back on track.

I spoke with a family on Grove Street who live in a beautiful old drafty house who told me how worried they are about affording heating oil this winter. It’s a worry I hear a lot. If elected, I will push for a special session of the Legislature in December the minute they finish swearing us in to fast-track help for Maine’s families to make it through this winter.

I’ve talked with parents who worry about paying for their kids’ doctor bills and tell me that they want our schools to be better. As much as I care about my grandfather, I also know that a lot of Maine’s kids have it even worse. I will make our children a priority, to see that they have the health care, day care and schools they deserve.

I have heard from many that taxes are simply too high. In case anybody is wondering, I got the message loud and clear. Tax reform must pass in the next Legislature, and it will certainly be a priority for me.

Most of all, I will listen to all of you, just as I have been listening over these past few months. You can be sure that I will never forget who hires me to go to Augusta and get to work.

We have a hard road ahead, but I believe there is much we can still achieve. I know Maine has a bright future. If you elect me, I’ll do everything I can to make sure we get there together.

Steve Butterfield is the Democratic candidate for House District 16 in Bangor. He may be reached at steve@steve

butterfield.org.