Social media accounts: VoteRollins.com, Dave Rollins FB
Occupation: Real Estate Appraiser
Education: BS General Business – Husson University
Community Organizations: Calumet Club, Elks Club, Cara Volunteer, Kennebec Historical Society, Donegal Racing
Personal information (hobbies, etc.): Cooking, horse racing, sports enthusiast, theater, travel, family and friends
Family status: Married – 40 years
Years in the Legislature: None, 16-year city government (Seven as mayor, nine on council)
Committee assignments (if elected): 1st Choice – Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee; 2nd Choice – Education and Cultural Affairs Committee ; 3rd Choice – Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee
Q&A
1) Define what “success” would look like if you are elected to serve your district.
Success for me would be by answering my constituent’s inquiries, and by introducing or supporting good bills which come before the House. Such as making progress on support for the middle class by lessening the tax burden forced on them. An idea would be by eliminating income tax for at least half of middle-class families, and lowering tax rates for the other half.
Also, having tuition-free college for state service volunteers.
Creating social media reform – To decrease digital disrespect, I will propose teaching middle and high school students how to consume and use social media, drawing on new curricula, such as those designed by Project Zero at the Harvard School of Education.
Finally, it is far time to stop the lack of decency and division between side. We need to look for common ground and work together. There will be differences, and times we cannot agree. However, there is plenty we can do to improve the discourse between opposing sides on behalf of hard-working people of Maine. I will feel success if I can model and work to influence all state representatives to be more civil, in and out of chambers.
2) Name one issue the Legislature handled last session. Explain why you agree or disagree with the final outcome.
The bill L.D. 1231, which would have added new tax brackets and in the opinion of Garrett Martin, president & CEO at the Maine Center for Economic Policy, although not perfect, it was an opportunity to add fairness to the Maine tax code. The concerns, while most benefits were targeted at the upper middle-class households, while not having benefits available to the lowest income Mainers.
Although I was disappointed with the Governor’s veto of LD 1231, I do understand and agree with the reasoning behind her decision. The bi-partisan bill which passed 88-57 in the House, and 22-12 in the Senate, was not veto proof.
According to Governor Mills the bill started as a concept draft — a document without substantive text which is often used as a placeholder before the full bill language is drafted. Also, she said the legislative process did not have enough transparency or opportunity for public input.
I do agree the next Mane legislature should continue to works towards a fairer tax code and get the burden off small business and the middle class.
OPPONENT: Marcus Emerson, R-Augusta
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