Jonathan Carter says that his campaign for governor is not about the Green Party; it is about the issues.
Education
The heart of many of Carter’s policies is education. The heart of his education policies is community colleges.
“Maine has one of the highest graduation rates from high school, but one of the lowest in four-year degrees. Community colleges will help,” Carter said.
He said that early on in school, children are put on one of two tracks: college-bound and not college-bound. He believes that community colleges can help put everyone on the same track.
Affordability of higher education is very important to Carter. He said that college graduates have 75 to 100 percent higher earning potential than non-graduates, and so it is a solid investment with good return. He suggested that down the road in his plan, community colleges might not charge tuition, similar to the California community college system.
Out of all the UMS schools, Carter said that USM is the one that particularly needs increased funding.
“With a skyrocketing population, and the school’s location in the core economic district, it is critical [for USM to have increased funding] to stay competitive and attract business,” he said.
Carter also said that USM needs to be provided with the essential resources for technological advancement. He also suggests more graduate programs and that academic programs be coordinated with businesses. USM could expand and create a community college of its own, he said.
As for the issue of many of Maine’s brightest leaving the state after college for jobs elsewhere, Carter said, “I don’t think it is a bad idea to leave Maine, explore the world, see a different part of the county. Eventually, they will come back. Maine is the greatest state to live in.”
Business and economy
Carter plans to make Maine more attractive to potential business and aid current business in Maine with a three-step approach. First, he plans to reduce the tax burden for businesses by reducing personal property and equipment taxes. His proposed budget next suggests increasing K – 12 funding by reducing property taxes. His third step is the implementation of the single-payer health care system model.
Also important to Carter are affordable housing in Southern Maine, and the general increase of per capita income. He says this can be achieved through education.
He has many long-term goals, and specific ideas on how to achieve them. However, he does acknowledge that in the future taxes will need to be raised to cover the budget shortfall the state is currently experiencing.
Healthcare
Single-payer healthcare, if not his primary platform, is nevertheless an important issue in his campaign. This system taxes businesses and uses federal funding to lower healthcare costs and eliminate the need for health insurance for many Mainers. He believes this system, rejected by Portland voters in an informational referendum last May, will cut healthcare costs to businesses as well as citizens, and increase quality of life for Mainers.
Maine’s homeland security
After Sept. 11, the United States has been on heightened alert. Maine has three international borders, and the state has its own homeland security plan.
“Maine is not a likely place for terrorist attacks,” Carter said.
He said that the Coast Guard has teamed up with Maine fishermen to keep an eye on the coasts. He is wary of the cost some of the national security measures in motion may have for Maine.
“War [with Iraq] would result in a burden of $300 million for tax payers in Maine. I am alarmed by this war mongering. It is distracting Americans from the real crises, the real problems of low wages, layoffs, the economy in shambles, the corporate corruption…”
Carter said that homeland security starts with health care, livable wages, jobs, enabling independence and self-sufficiency.