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| Three candidates are running for the Maine House of Representatives District 107 position representing part of Windham in the Nov. 5 election. From left are Republican Mark Cooper, incumbent Democrat Jane Pringle and Independent former State Representative Patrick Corey. SUBMITTED PHOTOS |
Maine House of Representatives
District 107 Candidates
(Representing part of Windham)
JANE PRINGLE
Democrat
Age/Occupation: 79, State Legislator, retired Primary Care Physician
Previous Elected Experience/Terms in Office: 2012-2014, 2022-2024 State Representative, Windham
If an incumbent, please cite a bill you proposed or sponsored that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it specifically benefits the residents of your district? If not currently serving in office, please detail legislation that you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if enacted?
“I sponsored LD 796 which was passed into law and enacted in September this year. It deals with the Prior Authorization of Health Care which has been misused by some insurance companies to deny or delay medically necessary care, causing harm to patients. Insurance companies must report information about what conditions require prior authorization, how long it took to provide an answer, what proportion of prior authorizations were denied, how many were appealed and how many were overturned on appeal. This information will be reported to the Bureau of Insurance to be posted on the Bureau’s website for patients and employers to see when choosing which insurance plans to purchase. It also allows patients to give their provider (doctor, nurse practitioner, therapist) permission to make their appeals to the insurance company for them.”
What do believe is the most pressing issue in this race and how do you intend to handle it?
“Our most pressing issue is our changing climate. I will support and have supported legislation to increase renewable, clean energy, clean water and resilient infrastructure. I have the endorsement of Maine Conservation Voters and have a 100 percent score voting for legislation they support. My husband and I have installed solar panels and heat pumps at our home, and I drive a hybrid car.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?
“One action would be to increase revenue sharing from 5 percent to 6 percent to send more money back to towns to offset property tax increases. We've seen it to be successful in helping solve a lot of spending headaches for municipalities that have been forced to increase mil rates with the rate increasing over the past 4 years from 2 percent to 5 percent. State government is doing very well with an Aa1 credit rating from Moody's (this is the second highest credit rating that a state can have). And we have a record rainy day fund to prepare for any potential dips in the economy. Working families can use some help. So, if we can shift more of the money the state takes in back to the towns which can use it to offset property taxes, we should do it so that we can give Mainers a break.”
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
“I first ran for the Legislature in 2012 because I had spent a large portion of my career caring for working people who had no health insurance. As a Primary Care physician, I know that preventive care and early diagnosis prevent more serious illness and keep people able to work and avoid more expensive treatments. At the time the new Affordable Care Act allowed the states to expand Medicaid, but Maine’s Chief Executive refused to do it. I hoped that I could help him, and my fellow legislators understand how we can save lives and save money by making health insurance available to everyone. We passed Medicaid expansion five times only to have it vetoed five times. I joined a coalition to get expansion on the ballot. It passed in the general election with close to 70% of the vote. It only became law when we elected a new Chief Executive. I chose to run and serve again in 2022 because of concerns that our healthcare system was getting worse with continued rising costs and worse patient outcomes. I am running for re-election to keep working for a more equitable and affordable health care system and common sense, bipartisan solutions to our many complex problems.”
What are your budget priorities and how will it impact the residents of your district?
“I am a fiscal conservative. I look for value in what I choose to spend money on. I believe in investing in people through education, vocational training, healthcare and public safety. I believe that we waste a lot of money on systems that don’t work. We can learn from examples in other states and other countries that get better results for less money. It may be counter intuitive but sometimes we need to spend money to save money.”
What do you like the most about the district where you live?
“Living in the Lakes Region provides a lot to like. There is much natural beauty accessible to many people. There are people with families that have been here for many generations and there are young families who come to Windham because they can afford to find an affordable home. There are many good people here who do wonderful things for each other.”
MARK COOPER
Republican
Age/Occupation: 61, Business owner as building contractor and farmer
Previous Elected Experience/Terms in Office: None
If an incumbent, please cite a bill you proposed or sponsored that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it specifically benefits the residents of your district? If not currently serving in office, please detail legislation that you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if enacted?
“One of my priorities is to revamp and reintroduce legislation pertaining to freezing/reducing property taxes for senior citizens. There was previously legislation to freeze property taxes for seniors. However, this legislation had some flaws and was repealed instead of taking time to make revisions. New legislation would have to include income limitations and cover primary residences only. Our most vulnerable citizens are our seniors on fixed incomes, and they should not be facing 5 to 10-plus percent property tax increases each year, especially after years contributing to our communities.”
What do you believe is the most pressing issue in this race and how do you intend to handle it?
“From visiting with constituents, the most common theme is cost of living and rapidly rising property taxes. Maine has been reported to have fourth highest tax burden in the nation. Voters are asking for relief at just about every door I knock on. I plan to work hard on keeping spending down and holding Augusta accountable on where tax dollars are being spent. In addition, too many Maine families are facing increases in their electricity bills, and we need to address that issue as quickly as possible. On the local level Augusta needs to be accountable in meeting their financial obligations to towns.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?
“Local property taxes are set by the town council and have to be approved by voters at the Town Meeting each year. More citizens need to be actively involved in the budgeting process and most importantly be there to vote at Town Meeting. From the state level Augusta needs to cover their mandated funding levels to municipalities. Anything short of the mandated required level puts that shortfall onto local property tax burden. There are an ever-increasing number of rules, regulations, and legislative requirements that impact local town budgets as well. Overregulation and micro-management create increased expenses for all municipalities.”
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
“I decided to run for Maine House of Representatives because I have been frustrated with the way things have been for the last several years. The extreme policies that have led to higher spending, higher taxes, and higher electricity costs is not what Maine wants or needs. I feel I can be a part of the solution. I want to bring a balance of power and a commonsense approach to Augusta. As a small business owner, I have to be fiscally responsible, and I am fully committed to holding Maine Government to that same standard.”
What are your budget priorities and how will it impact the residents of your district?
“Budget priorities include balanced and responsible spending. Fiscal responsibility is what Maine citizens want and deserve. There are Budget items that are mandated and must be covered. There are budget items that need to be covered and funded. There are items that are not essential that should be covered and then there are wish list items that should be prioritized and funded if there is room in the budget. We should not be funding ‘wish list’ and ‘pet’ projects over basic necessities. My priorities are funding mental health services, education, infrastructure, tax reductions for working Mainers, and providing a safety net for vulnerable citizens in Augusta. Voters I have met with have made it clear they have reached the breaking point of rising taxes and want changes made.”
What do you like the most about the district where you live?
“I have lived in this district my entire life except for one year after college. I have thoroughly enjoyed living here and am proud to be a resident of Windham. The people in my neighborhood and district have always made it a wonderful place to live and raise a family! This district has always been relatively rural with a significant amount of open space. There are a significant number of multiple generation families here and that speaks well of the quality of life in the town. My grandson is the fourth generation of the Cooper family to attend Windham Schools and that is something I am proud of.”
PATRICK COREY
Independent
Age/Occupation: 50, Self-employed Marketer and Artist
Previous Elected Experience/Terms in Office: State Representative, Maine House of Representatives, Four Terms: 127th, 128th, 129th, and 130th Legislatures
If an incumbent, please cite a bill you proposed or sponsored that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it specifically benefits the residents of your district? If not currently serving in office, please detail legislation that you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if enacted?
“I got a bill passed and funded that allowed spouses to get paid as natural caregivers. Prior to this change, anyone could be paid other than a spouse to provide direct care. For the patient, they weren’t getting care they qualified for through Medicaid. Often the care was intimate in nature and performed by an inconsistent group of direct care workers. The continuum of care was lacking due to high turnover. Caregiving spouses could not hold down jobs based on these inconsistencies and weren’t compensated for the work they performed. This bill allows people that would otherwise be in nursing homes stay home and near their families, keeping them together. Spouses of people with conditions like ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or traumatic brain injuries are now paid for their work and have the dignity that comes with that.”
What do believe is the most pressing issue in this race and how do you intend to handle it?
“Growing partisanship. When I entered Maine Legislature 10 years ago, I told people it was nothing like what they saw in national politics. This changed in the following eight years I served. We’ve got two parties that are more concerned about either imposing their will on the other party or the wholesale rejection of the opposing party’s ideas. Compromise no longer exists and a majority of our elected politicians have lost touch with the fact they have constituents to serve, and they should be creating solutions that work for the majority of those people. If elected I will continue to look at ideas based on merit, not who or where they came from. Moreover, I will challenge legislative colleagues that don’t use the same approach. Our country is deeply divided, and our leaders have played a huge role in that. Let’s work together to create government that works for everyone.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?
“Maine people pay a higher percentage of their incomes in property tax than any other state. The Legislature can do relief in the form of increasing the homestead exemption. Property taxpayers need to make it a priority. While serving, I saw will to create new programs and expand the baseline, but little interest in providing tax relief of any kind. Legislators need to focus property tax relief and look for efficiencies to pay for it. For relief to be lasting, voters will need to hold candidates accountable, because a new legislature can easily undo property tax relief the previous legislature created. I will commit to pursuing property tax relief in the form of a larger homestead exemption for all property taxpayers and uphold it should I be re-elected. Voters also need to look to the Town Council and School Board to reduce the property tax burden.”
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
“Over the years I served, my belief that it’s possible for government to do good things grew. Partisanship and the polarization it creates are holding back government from serving Maine’s people. I ran because I believe good governance is important and needs to be promoted. We should hold politicians responsible for breaking the public trust, promote transparency, be more inclusive through listening, and be responsive to the needs of Mainers. I have spent the last two year’s working with Bill Diamond on Walk a Mile in Their Shoes, a non-profit that gives a voice to Maine’s children who encounter abuse, neglect, and death. I am disturbed by the lack of ability to be self-reflective, follow their own rules to protect children, and motivation to change by Maine’s biggest department, DHHS. There needs to be accountability to Maine’s children and the stakeholders that care for and protect our most vulnerable asset.”
What are your budget priorities and how will it impact the residents of your district?
“I’m the only candidate that has served on the Committee for Appropriations and Financial Affairs giving me unique insight into Maine’s budget. I have watched politicians spend budget surpluses to create new programs they claim will not expand the baseline, yet these “one-time” spends become expectations in future budgets. Surpluses, for all intents and purposes are the over collection of taxes. More revenue has been collected than has been budgeted for. My top priority will be returning surpluses to Maine’s people. Maine has the fourth highest taxes. It’s time we recognize the burden this puts on Mainers and find ways to give their money back. I would also like to look at the school funding formula and municipal revenue sharing. What Windham is getting back is not commensurate with the money our residents and businesses are putting in. Our rapidly growing community cannot look solely at property taxes any longer.”
What do you like the most about the district where you live?
“I always enjoyed serving a community where there was a diversity of political beliefs causing me to look closely at issues and finding solutions that help as many people as possible. Serving as president of Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a non-profit heating assistance program, I’ve seen how generous and thoughtful my community is. It’s a great community to serve and I hope to do it again.”
JANE PRINGLE
Democrat
Age/Occupation: 79, State Legislator, retired Primary Care Physician
Previous Elected Experience/Terms in Office: 2012-2014, 2022-2024 State Representative, Windham
If an incumbent, please cite a bill you proposed or sponsored that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it specifically benefits the residents of your district? If not currently serving in office, please detail legislation that you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if enacted?
“I sponsored LD 796 which was passed into law and enacted in September this year. It deals with the Prior Authorization of Health Care which has been misused by some insurance companies to deny or delay medically necessary care, causing harm to patients. Insurance companies must report information about what conditions require prior authorization, how long it took to provide an answer, what proportion of prior authorizations were denied, how many were appealed and how many were overturned on appeal. This information will be reported to the Bureau of Insurance to be posted on the Bureau’s website for patients and employers to see when choosing which insurance plans to purchase. It also allows patients to give their provider (doctor, nurse practitioner, therapist) permission to make their appeals to the insurance company for them.”
What do believe is the most pressing issue in this race and how do you intend to handle it?
“Our most pressing issue is our changing climate. I will support and have supported legislation to increase renewable, clean energy, clean water and resilient infrastructure. I have the endorsement of Maine Conservation Voters and have a 100 percent score voting for legislation they support. My husband and I have installed solar panels and heat pumps at our home, and I drive a hybrid car.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?
“One action would be to increase revenue sharing from 5 percent to 6 percent to send more money back to towns to offset property tax increases. We've seen it to be successful in helping solve a lot of spending headaches for municipalities that have been forced to increase mil rates with the rate increasing over the past 4 years from 2 percent to 5 percent. State government is doing very well with an Aa1 credit rating from Moody's (this is the second highest credit rating that a state can have). And we have a record rainy day fund to prepare for any potential dips in the economy. Working families can use some help. So, if we can shift more of the money the state takes in back to the towns which can use it to offset property taxes, we should do it so that we can give Mainers a break.”
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
“I first ran for the Legislature in 2012 because I had spent a large portion of my career caring for working people who had no health insurance. As a Primary Care physician, I know that preventive care and early diagnosis prevent more serious illness and keep people able to work and avoid more expensive treatments. At the time the new Affordable Care Act allowed the states to expand Medicaid, but Maine’s Chief Executive refused to do it. I hoped that I could help him, and my fellow legislators understand how we can save lives and save money by making health insurance available to everyone. We passed Medicaid expansion five times only to have it vetoed five times. I joined a coalition to get expansion on the ballot. It passed in the general election with close to 70% of the vote. It only became law when we elected a new Chief Executive. I chose to run and serve again in 2022 because of concerns that our healthcare system was getting worse with continued rising costs and worse patient outcomes. I am running for re-election to keep working for a more equitable and affordable health care system and common sense, bipartisan solutions to our many complex problems.”
What are your budget priorities and how will it impact the residents of your district?
“I am a fiscal conservative. I look for value in what I choose to spend money on. I believe in investing in people through education, vocational training, healthcare and public safety. I believe that we waste a lot of money on systems that don’t work. We can learn from examples in other states and other countries that get better results for less money. It may be counter intuitive but sometimes we need to spend money to save money.”
What do you like the most about the district where you live?
“Living in the Lakes Region provides a lot to like. There is much natural beauty accessible to many people. There are people with families that have been here for many generations and there are young families who come to Windham because they can afford to find an affordable home. There are many good people here who do wonderful things for each other.”
MARK COOPER
Republican
Age/Occupation: 61, Business owner as building contractor and farmer
Previous Elected Experience/Terms in Office: None
If an incumbent, please cite a bill you proposed or sponsored that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it specifically benefits the residents of your district? If not currently serving in office, please detail legislation that you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if enacted?
“One of my priorities is to revamp and reintroduce legislation pertaining to freezing/reducing property taxes for senior citizens. There was previously legislation to freeze property taxes for seniors. However, this legislation had some flaws and was repealed instead of taking time to make revisions. New legislation would have to include income limitations and cover primary residences only. Our most vulnerable citizens are our seniors on fixed incomes, and they should not be facing 5 to 10-plus percent property tax increases each year, especially after years contributing to our communities.”
What do you believe is the most pressing issue in this race and how do you intend to handle it?
“From visiting with constituents, the most common theme is cost of living and rapidly rising property taxes. Maine has been reported to have fourth highest tax burden in the nation. Voters are asking for relief at just about every door I knock on. I plan to work hard on keeping spending down and holding Augusta accountable on where tax dollars are being spent. In addition, too many Maine families are facing increases in their electricity bills, and we need to address that issue as quickly as possible. On the local level Augusta needs to be accountable in meeting their financial obligations to towns.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?
“Local property taxes are set by the town council and have to be approved by voters at the Town Meeting each year. More citizens need to be actively involved in the budgeting process and most importantly be there to vote at Town Meeting. From the state level Augusta needs to cover their mandated funding levels to municipalities. Anything short of the mandated required level puts that shortfall onto local property tax burden. There are an ever-increasing number of rules, regulations, and legislative requirements that impact local town budgets as well. Overregulation and micro-management create increased expenses for all municipalities.”
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
“I decided to run for Maine House of Representatives because I have been frustrated with the way things have been for the last several years. The extreme policies that have led to higher spending, higher taxes, and higher electricity costs is not what Maine wants or needs. I feel I can be a part of the solution. I want to bring a balance of power and a commonsense approach to Augusta. As a small business owner, I have to be fiscally responsible, and I am fully committed to holding Maine Government to that same standard.”
What are your budget priorities and how will it impact the residents of your district?
“Budget priorities include balanced and responsible spending. Fiscal responsibility is what Maine citizens want and deserve. There are Budget items that are mandated and must be covered. There are budget items that need to be covered and funded. There are items that are not essential that should be covered and then there are wish list items that should be prioritized and funded if there is room in the budget. We should not be funding ‘wish list’ and ‘pet’ projects over basic necessities. My priorities are funding mental health services, education, infrastructure, tax reductions for working Mainers, and providing a safety net for vulnerable citizens in Augusta. Voters I have met with have made it clear they have reached the breaking point of rising taxes and want changes made.”
What do you like the most about the district where you live?
“I have lived in this district my entire life except for one year after college. I have thoroughly enjoyed living here and am proud to be a resident of Windham. The people in my neighborhood and district have always made it a wonderful place to live and raise a family! This district has always been relatively rural with a significant amount of open space. There are a significant number of multiple generation families here and that speaks well of the quality of life in the town. My grandson is the fourth generation of the Cooper family to attend Windham Schools and that is something I am proud of.”
PATRICK COREY
Independent
Age/Occupation: 50, Self-employed Marketer and Artist
Previous Elected Experience/Terms in Office: State Representative, Maine House of Representatives, Four Terms: 127th, 128th, 129th, and 130th Legislatures
If an incumbent, please cite a bill you proposed or sponsored that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it specifically benefits the residents of your district? If not currently serving in office, please detail legislation that you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if enacted?
“I got a bill passed and funded that allowed spouses to get paid as natural caregivers. Prior to this change, anyone could be paid other than a spouse to provide direct care. For the patient, they weren’t getting care they qualified for through Medicaid. Often the care was intimate in nature and performed by an inconsistent group of direct care workers. The continuum of care was lacking due to high turnover. Caregiving spouses could not hold down jobs based on these inconsistencies and weren’t compensated for the work they performed. This bill allows people that would otherwise be in nursing homes stay home and near their families, keeping them together. Spouses of people with conditions like ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or traumatic brain injuries are now paid for their work and have the dignity that comes with that.”
What do believe is the most pressing issue in this race and how do you intend to handle it?
“Growing partisanship. When I entered Maine Legislature 10 years ago, I told people it was nothing like what they saw in national politics. This changed in the following eight years I served. We’ve got two parties that are more concerned about either imposing their will on the other party or the wholesale rejection of the opposing party’s ideas. Compromise no longer exists and a majority of our elected politicians have lost touch with the fact they have constituents to serve, and they should be creating solutions that work for the majority of those people. If elected I will continue to look at ideas based on merit, not who or where they came from. Moreover, I will challenge legislative colleagues that don’t use the same approach. Our country is deeply divided, and our leaders have played a huge role in that. Let’s work together to create government that works for everyone.”
What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?
“Maine people pay a higher percentage of their incomes in property tax than any other state. The Legislature can do relief in the form of increasing the homestead exemption. Property taxpayers need to make it a priority. While serving, I saw will to create new programs and expand the baseline, but little interest in providing tax relief of any kind. Legislators need to focus property tax relief and look for efficiencies to pay for it. For relief to be lasting, voters will need to hold candidates accountable, because a new legislature can easily undo property tax relief the previous legislature created. I will commit to pursuing property tax relief in the form of a larger homestead exemption for all property taxpayers and uphold it should I be re-elected. Voters also need to look to the Town Council and School Board to reduce the property tax burden.”
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
“Over the years I served, my belief that it’s possible for government to do good things grew. Partisanship and the polarization it creates are holding back government from serving Maine’s people. I ran because I believe good governance is important and needs to be promoted. We should hold politicians responsible for breaking the public trust, promote transparency, be more inclusive through listening, and be responsive to the needs of Mainers. I have spent the last two year’s working with Bill Diamond on Walk a Mile in Their Shoes, a non-profit that gives a voice to Maine’s children who encounter abuse, neglect, and death. I am disturbed by the lack of ability to be self-reflective, follow their own rules to protect children, and motivation to change by Maine’s biggest department, DHHS. There needs to be accountability to Maine’s children and the stakeholders that care for and protect our most vulnerable asset.”
What are your budget priorities and how will it impact the residents of your district?
“I’m the only candidate that has served on the Committee for Appropriations and Financial Affairs giving me unique insight into Maine’s budget. I have watched politicians spend budget surpluses to create new programs they claim will not expand the baseline, yet these “one-time” spends become expectations in future budgets. Surpluses, for all intents and purposes are the over collection of taxes. More revenue has been collected than has been budgeted for. My top priority will be returning surpluses to Maine’s people. Maine has the fourth highest taxes. It’s time we recognize the burden this puts on Mainers and find ways to give their money back. I would also like to look at the school funding formula and municipal revenue sharing. What Windham is getting back is not commensurate with the money our residents and businesses are putting in. Our rapidly growing community cannot look solely at property taxes any longer.”
What do you like the most about the district where you live?
“I always enjoyed serving a community where there was a diversity of political beliefs causing me to look closely at issues and finding solutions that help as many people as possible. Serving as president of Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a non-profit heating assistance program, I’ve seen how generous and thoughtful my community is. It’s a great community to serve and I hope to do it again.”
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