State Sen. Colleen M. Lachowicz, D-Waterville, faces opposition in her bid for re-election to Senate District 16 from political newcomer Scott W. Cyrway, a Republican.

Senate District 16 includes Albion, Benton, Clinton, Unity Township, Waterville, Winslow and Fairfield.

Lachowicz, a social worker, and Cyrway, a Benton resident and retired deputy with the Kennebec County Sheriff’s office, differ in their views about whether Medicaid should be expanded to allow MaineCare to extend health care coverage to additional low-income residents.

Both candidates cite a need for improving the economy and creating jobs, and both say they plan to vote against a referendum to ban bear baiting.

Lachowicz, 50, was elected two years ago to Senate District 25, which became Senate District 16 as part of redistricting. The new district no longer includes Pittsfield and Detroit, but now includes Fairfield.

Lachowicz says she supports accepting money to expand Medicaid to 70,000 Mainers, including 3,000 veterans.

“It is the right thing to do, and it will provide an economic boost to our region,” she said. “It will also bring jobs.”

Cyrway, 59, says he is concerned about the amount of money designated for people who are truly needy and which is often abused, and officials should find ways to reduce abuse of all welfare programs and then focus on allocating resources more carefully.

“Let’s look at solutions to get reasonable coverage for healthy individuals without putting our government in more debt,” he said.

Lachowicz said she is running for re-election because she believes families still need a voice in Augusta.

“Whether it’s access to affordable health care, good paying jobs, care for aging family members or education, these are some of the most important issues that families in this district care about,” she said.

Cyrway says he is running because he has spent his career trying to help people, and representing District 16 would be a valuable opportunity to help the whole state and work with both parties. He said one of his former DARE students asked him to run.

“I believe we need to acquire more good-paying full-time jobs in the state of Maine for tax relief to the ones that are paying their fair share,” he said.

He sees the economy and growth of debt in the state as major campaign issues and says he would work with members of both parties to help maintain needed services while working to balance the budget.

“We are experiencing less quality jobs due to technology, medical insurance issues and less benefits due to reduction of hours (part-time) worked because of health care costs,” Cyrway said. “We need to get a handle on this and bring quality, full-time jobs to Maine to relieve the tax burden on hard-working Mainers.”

Lachowicz vows to work to help create jobs and keep people in the state. She said she has knocked on doors and spoken with residents in all towns in District 16, and wherever she goes, she finds working families struggling to make ends meet.

“We have to do more to improve our economy and create opportunities that benefit everyone, not just the wealthy,” she said. “We need to secure jobs that keep our young people here.”

Asked if the state should provide more funding for local communities through an extension of the state sales tax or by requiring full funding of municipal sharing, Lachowicz said she supports restoring revenue sharing to towns and cities and doing what can be done so that state funding for education reaches 55 percent, as mandated by voters.

“Property taxpayers are depending on it,” she said.

Cyrway said he thinks the state and local governments can work together to meet community needs.

“I think a sales tax increase has been viewed as the easiest solution by legislators in the past, but has drastically impacted our economic growth,” Cyrway said. “When does it stop? Maine people and businesses are the ones who end up getting hurt the most.”

Regarding Gov. Paul LePage’s position about denying state reimbursement to local communities for welfare payments made to undocumented immigrants, Lachowicz said if someone is in the U.S. legally, he can qualify for assistance, but if he is here illegally, he can not.

“What LePage is proposing would create an unfunded mandate to these communities and would likely result in property tax increases, which I absolutely oppose,” Lachowicz said.

Cyrway says if people have not shown proof of documentation, a town should not be involved except to call authorities, who would look into the situation.

“I believe Gov. LePage is right on the mark in denying state reimbursement to local communities for welfare payments for undocumented or illegal immigrants,” Cyrway said.

He says he believes that LePage is passionate about helping Maine “in his own way, as a businessman.”

“He openly admits he is not a polished politician and wants to get Maine more jobs, get a handle on the budget spending, hold people responsible for welfare fraud and pay the bills the state owes,” Cyrway said. “I will support the governor as I would anyone that gets into office.”

Lachowicz says she is disappointed LePage has not done more to reach across the aisle and bring people together.

“There are many people who want to work together for the people of Maine and find common ground,” she said. “I went to Augusta determined to work with people from both sides, and I was able to do that. I think working with people with different opinions and finding solutions both sides can agree on is an important part of the job.”

While Cyrway says he has not served in state office, he said he has served in community leadership roles and believes he has earned the respect and trust of those with whom he worked. Lachowicz says that prior to serving as state senator, she worked in local schools and hospitals and is proud of her role in working to get the Children’s Advocacy Center open in Waterville.

As state senator, Lachowicz wrote and sponsored a bill that requires insurance companies to pay for “effective treatment” for children up to the age of 10 who have autism — treatment that was not covered prior to the bill’s going into effect in August.

Amy Calder — 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @AmyCalder17

Copy the Story Link