The Democratic state representative running for re-election in House District 53 says education is the solution to most of the state’s problems and it should be supported.
Peter Kent, 63, of Woolwich, has served six years in the Maine House of Representatives and seeks re-election in November. He has served on the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee for all six years.
Kent suggests bringing leaders and legislators of all parties together to create a long-term strategy and vision to help build on Maine’s strengths.
“With the cooperation of these leaders and the support of Maine people, we can begin the process of legislating toward this vision,” he said.
The state should be living up to its requirement to fund 55 percent of the cost of public education and 100 percent of the cost of public special education, Kent said.
“We need to develop an economy that can support our promises and our programs, an economy that can build a viable, healthy, and secure Maine,” Kent said.
Kent supports the expansion of a pre-kindergarten program in Maine. He said the earlier children start learning, the more likely they are to have a productive and successful educational experience.
“Most of the serious issues we face today can be solved through education, so any investment in the educational arena is a good one,” Kent said.
To create Maine jobs, Kent said leaders need to inventory Maine and look at its successes and failures, its people, its qualities, and its values.
“From this, develop workable strategies that people can embrace and be proud of. We have to put aside short-term gain and plan for a successful future,” Kent said.
Taxpayers should not be subsidizing employee’s wages with state support and welfare, Kent said.
“The recent nationwide fast food workers strike has brought to national attention that 52 percent of people working at these low paying jobs are on some form of public assistance – that’s appalling,” Kent said.
Kent said wages should increase with inflation.
The Legislature needs to move forward and implement health care programs and work through the problems as they arise, Kent said. Legislators must have the flexibility to make necessary adjustments and changes, he said.
“Affordable health care for all is an ever-evolving process and standing still is not a solution. No individual or political party can get it right the first time,” he said.
“I can’t imagine what it must be like to be ill and not have medical insurance,” Kent said.
“This last session we passed up the opportunity to provide health insurance to 70,000 Mainers (including 3,000 of our veterans) because of what those opposed said ‘might’ happen,” he said. “I would vote to accept federal dollars to provide coverage to these Mainers. These dollars would at the same time help the economy by increasing payments to hospitals and providing additional jobs.”
Kent supports oversight and control of the welfare system, as well as all governmental departments, agencies, and programs.
“Fraud needs to be identified, prevented, and punished whenever possible and wherever it occurs,” he said.
Kent does not think Gov. LePage’s proposal to add Maine Drug Enforcement Agency personnel, District Court judges, prosecutors, and court workers will be effective to fix Maine’s drug problems.
“Nearly 50 years of increased penalties, foreign intervention, and a war on drug cartels have not succeeded in curtailing drug use,” Kent said. “Governor LePage is simply playing out an old idea that has already proven ineffective and costly.”
“If we can eliminate the need, the suppliers will disappear. Education and treatment are the answers. I believe the simple ‘Say No to Drugs’ campaign has been the most effective deterrent to date,” Kent said.
With the exception of medical marijuana, Kent does not support legalizing the drug.
“However, pot smoking is not ‘criminal’ and at most should be considered a misdemeanor unless there are factors that are endangering others,” Kent said.
Unlike his Republican opponent, Jeff Pierce, of Dresden, Kent supports background checks for the sale of firearms at gun shows and private shows.
“A common cry of First Amendment rights advocates is ‘guns don’t kill people, people do.’ Background checks are an effort along the lines of this motto,” said Kent.
Kent has a degree in English literature from Acadia University. He studied forestry and conservation at Cornell University and building and construction at Merritt College.
Kent lives in Woolwich with his wife Megan Evans and sons Kent, 10, and Noah, 7. He has owned a small construction business for over 30 years. He is also a sculptor and a furniture maker. In his spare time, Kent sings and plays the banjo and guitar.
House District 53 includes Arrowsic, Dresden, Georgetown, Phippsburg, part of Richmond, and Woolwich.
Kent currently represents House District 65, which consists of parts of Bath, Brunswick Topsham, and West Bath, as well as his hometown of Woolwich. His district changed as a result of constitutionally mandated reapportionment in 2013.
