The so-called debate between Professor Herb Adams and his student Jason Lavoie last Wednesday was much less contentious than one would expect from candidates of two very different parties. Absent from the debate was Matt Reading, of the Green Party, leaving Lavoie (Republican) and Adams (Democrat) face to face. They are running against each other in the race for State Representative in District 119, but this has not affected their amicable student-teacher relationship, exchanging smiles and handshakes before and after the debate.
Less cordial were District 118 candidates Jon Hinck, Democrat, and incumbent John Eder, the only Green member of the House. Hinck often slipped in comments about his opponent when answering debate questions. District 118 includes park side and West End areas of Portland. The debate was held in Payson Smith Hall on the Portland campus.
Both Adams and Lavoie voiced support of Opportunity Maine. The bill proposes reimbursement of tuition costs for Maine students who graduate from state schools and go on to work in Maine.
Adams said “Opportunity Maine is something whose time is come.” He said the money would be easy to find, citing what he called “the debacle of the dump,”in reference to the state spending $28 million to buy a toxic waste dump.
The professor and his student also agreed on the need for wind power as a source of renewable energy for the state. Lavoie smiled as he said he liked Pat LaMarche’s idea of having offshore wind power set up on the coast of Maine. Pat LaMarche is running for governor this year as a member of the Green Party.
The candidates were asked to speak on TABOR (Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights), which is referendum question #1 on the ballot this year. The bill proposes that taxes rise only to reflect inflation, and any other costs must be voted on by the citizens.
Lavoie said he is “very supportive” of such legislature, although it is “not the perfect solution.” But he added that tax relief is necessary, and the “people in Augusta have failed” in bringing this to Maine citizens.
In contrast, Adams talked about Colorado, where a version of TABOR was passed in 1992.
“Colorado is billions in the hole,” he said. “If you love disaster, move to Colorado.”
Aside from attending his Maine Government class with Adams, Lavoie said he plans on spending most of the day Tuesday at the Expo where people in District 119 will vote. Adams said he would probably cancel class for Election Day if his students agree.
“Maybe we’ll walk to the Expo together,” said Lavoie, who also plans on supporting gubernatorial candidate Chandler Woodcock while he’s at the polls. He said he was optimistic for a Republican victory in the governor’s race. Of his own chances, he said it was too early to tell.
“Best I can expect is to get my people to vote.” u