Dorothy Caldwell, D-Penobscot, is seeking to represent District 131 in Augusta. District 131 comprises Dedham, Orland, Otis, Penobscot, Prospect, Stockton Springs and Verona Island.

I was born in Washington, D.C., to a father who was a nuclear physicist and mother who was a teacher and editor. After going to college in Massachusetts, where I met my husband and realized I am a New Englander at heart, we moved to Maine to literally build our own house, raise our children, work, and contribute to our communities. My professional career and most of my volunteer work has focused on individual, family, and community health.

What are the most pressing issues facing Maine today, and how would you like to see them resolved?

I have seen first hand what inadequately planned urban development looks like, and what happens to our natural resources when we do not prioritize protecting and preserving them. Education, jobs, senior and veterans issues, and healthcare are the issues I have heard most often about while going door-to-door to meet voters. I would like to see them resolved through legislators commitment to collaboration and science based information. Our problem with our governor might also be prevented through ranked choice voting next time.

How will you protect the local (municipal) taxpayer as you help shape a state budget?

We've got to get better at the details and avoiding unintended consequences brought through legislation. The Homestead Exemption must be fully available to any property owner who lives in the home. Full funding (55%) by the state for schools. Very wealthy taxpayers need less financial protection than middle and low income taxpayers.

What policies would you create and promote to build Maine's natural resource-based economy?

Ecotourism can significantly contribute to our economy year round, as well as well-managed recreational opportunities. Natural resources must be protected, and any use of them should be comprehensively vetted for sustainability and their attention to maintaining a clean environment. Also, backup plans should be evaluated for their feasibility and efficacy when any pollution escapes into the environment, before any permits are issued.

What policies would you create and promote to sustain the natural resources of this state (fisheries, timber, mining)?

Permit harvesting at a sustainable level responsive to new information as it becomes available, with the condition that it does not negatively impact the environment, and that the proposals are examined for their sustainability by professionally recognized experts with no conflicts of interest. Tax payers would not be liable for any clean up of "mistakes" - the company promoting the venture would be fully accountable for any reparations, and would have to set up an escrow account in some proportion to the amount it would cost to "fix" any problems the operation could subject the environment or citizens to. Eminent domain would not be permitted to any corporations, public/private, or for-profit ventures, but would only used for the benefit of the population as a whole.

What is your position on alternative energy and public investment into it?

I'm all for it, as well as tax incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. Fossil fuels must be kept in the ground and replaced by clean energy as quickly as possible.

What is your position on the five citizen initiatives that are before voters Nov. 8?

I tend to think that groups of citizens, if they actually come together to talk about a given problem, can come up with solutions at least as good as, and often better than, individuals. I am concerned that some special interest groups work to defeat good ideas because the details are not fully worked through to avoid unintended consequences, or because they want to be able to profit off Mainers, rather than to get involved on the ground floor and work together collaboratively to come up with a better bill in the first place.

What issues are emerging from your conversations with the public as you go about your campaign, and what solutions do you envision?

My door-to-door visits have brought forward the issues of job creation, education, seniors issues, veterans issues, affordable and accessible health care, energy costs, the drug problem, taking care of the environment, welfare fraud, and property tax. Also, many want to get Maine's governor out of office.

I envision solutions that include support for small businesses, building affordable senior housing, living wages for workers, universal health care (or at the very least a public option), tax incentives for homeowner installation of solar panels and other clean energy sources, an emphasis on treatment over prosecution of those addicted but not dealing drugs, environmental laws that give priority to a clean environment over profit when the two conflict, expansion of social security, relieving homeowners property taxes when they live in the home, and letting the very wealthy pay their fair share of income tax.

A recent Maine Dept. of Labor report indicates the work force will get even older, and more jobs will require post-secondary education. How will you work to build a knowledge-based economy when so many of Maine high school graduates do not seek higher education?

This is a cultural shift from reliable factory or mill work and harvesting of natural resources, to even more small businesses with a variety of focuses. We need to improve our technological infrastructure and encourage the production of clean technologies that pay reasonable wages to employees. We need more school-to-work exploration for students to help them learn what work they might do, work that their parents may have no experience with, and are therefore not able to explain or role-model for them.

Is Maine doing enough to accommodate the successful assimilation of immigrants?

This depends on where immigrants are living. Until our governor treats all human beings with respect and supports the assimilation of immigrants - we are not doing enough.

What is the best legislative activity that has occurred in Augusta over the last six years. This does not have to mean legislative action, but can include collaboration, research, etc.

Probably allowing gay marriage.

How would you define "good state government?"

Government in which all three branches - legislative, executive, and judicial - are fully responsive to the need to protect the health and welfare of all its citizens. This includes efficient and effective agency support for individuals and families, focus on what will lift the maximum number of people to a better standard of living, attention to the actual best interests of children, families, and communities, the expected use of collaboration rather than competition within government, the regular use of science-based information to inform legislation and policy. It also includes interpersonal civility and principled compromise when necessary, all the while paying attention to fiscal responsibility.

Is there any other topic or issue you'd like to talk about here? Have at it!

I'm sure there are many issues I have left out, but so many are intertwined that we must be vigilant not to create unintended but negative or short-sighted consequences as we seek to do the business of the state.