Kerryl Lee Clement

Economy

Let’s get able-bodied adults back to work. Realign Maine’s welfare benefits with federal guidelines, Maine should not be an outlier. Maine has a magnet of overly generous benefits that are counter-productive to transitioning people from welfare to work. Learn more

Education

Reinvigorate our education system. I believe we need to educate, not indoctrinate. We need to empower students, parents and educators alike. Greater choice is not only essential, but it is the civil rights issue of our time. School choice should be available to all and not only to the wealthy. Learn more

Parental rights must be upheld. The schools should not be “in loco parentis” but rather in a partnership with parents to provide for the educational needs of our children. Parents should not be kept “in the dark.”. Learn more

Environment / Energy

Maine needs to lift the cap on clean hydropower. Maine’s existing dams powered by our abundant waters are not fully utilized. Learn more

We should cut the subsidies to solar power. These subsidies enrich special interest groups and increase utility rates for everyday Mainers. People who can barely afford their own personal electric bills are forced to subsidize solar panels for the wealthy. Learn more

Perhaps one answer would be to explore the viability and advantages of micro-modular reactors that have already received US regulatory approval. Modern control systems that use artificial intelligence make these systems 100-times safer than those of yesteryear; the small size reduces the potential of collateral damage, and a single unit can produce power equal to one of Maines small hydro dams ranging from 10 to 50 megawatts. Learn more

Government Reform

Emphasize practical, straightforward solutions to legislative challenges, promoting his approach of being a "public servant, not a politician" to bring about sensible changes in government. Learn more

While Maine has a more secure absentee process than many other states, the recent addition of drop boxes must require absolute physical security as well as monitoring 24-7 by quality security cameras that have functioning recording capabilities. Learn more

The idea of National Popular Vote is nothing more than the abrogation of our right to choose to those states with greater populations. The Electoral College must be preserved, and the unconstitutional process called for by this proposed convention of states. By maintaining our separate and distinct congressional districts we give all within the state national representation and a voice in the choice of our federal executive branch. Learn more

Continue active involvement in local committees and councils to foster community development and address local issues directly affecting residents. Learn more

We need to establish voter ID. It boggles the mind that you need to produce identification for the most mundane of things yet to exercise one of your greatest rights, that of voicing your choice, no proof is required. Learn more

Housing

Reduce costs by fast-tracking permits and removing unnecessary and burdensome regulations. Learn more

Social Services

Examine how we run our welfare system. End the “welfare cliff” by enacting policies that gradually reduce subsidies to prevent the loss of necessary benefits, such as childcare, until recipients become established in their employment. Learn more

We need to regularly verify eligibility for benefits rather than relying on automatic approvals. Learn more

Taxes / Budget

Allow people to keep the money they earn. Decrease government spending and lower taxes. If the rainy-day fund is full and essential government services are met, the people’s money gathered from over-taxing should be returned. Learn more