Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

HOUSE DISTRICT 76: McNulty, Beck squaring off

Morning Sentinel Staff

Questions for the candidates in House District 76, which includes Waterville and Oakland

click image to enlarge

Mark McNulty

click image to enlarge

Henry Beck

Select images available for purchase in the
Maine Today Photo Store

MARK MCNULTY

Date of birth: 9/16/88

Residence: Colby College

Political party: Republican

Employment: Student

Education: Colby College

Political experience: College Republicans

Publicly financed candidate? No

HENRY BECK

Date of birth: 6/6/1986

Family: Single

Residence: 26 Prospect St. Apt. 2, Waterville

Political party: Democratic

Employment: AAA Northern New England

Education: Waterville High School; B.A. Government, Colby College

Political experience: Waterville City Councilor, 2006-09; State Representative, 2008-present

Publicly financed candidate? No

Why are you running for office?

McNulty: I am running for office because I believe that Maine has a chance to be great. I believe that a change in leadership and vision is the only way that we can accomplish that in Augusta.

Beck: I am running for office to provide reasonable and responsive leadership for the community and state in which I was raised and in which I have worked in both the public and private sector. I believe in public service and the common good.

What's the biggest single issue facing the state?

McNulty: Jobs, jobs and jobs. In order for Maine to continue on as an attractive place to reside there needs to be a drastic change in the jobs and business environment.

Beck: People are hurting thus we have a great tax sensitivity contrasted with legitimate needs in our communities. In the next legislature, elected leaders and the public must have an honest conversation about our options together.

Would you support a tax increase to balance the budget?

McNulty: I never believe that increasing taxes are good policy toward balancing a budget. Trimming spending and using common sense policy changes to increase revenue through the current tax structure are the most prudent paths towards balancing the budget.

Beck: I am weary of any broad-based tax increases. I voted with Democrats to lower personal income taxes and with Republicans to cut taxes for small businesses. I voted for business tax cuts that move Maine people from welfare to the workforce and I also voted for the jobs package. We need a higher education package and a similar emphasis on rewarding hard work.

What's one thing you want to accomplish if elected?

McNulty: I want to accomplish reforms which will keep jobs and the young people in Maine. Maine is not only a tourist attraction it is a state with some of the most vast and untapped resources including its own citizens. I believe that changes in tax laws could ultimately bring a flourishing new business economy to the state.

Beck: I want to protect community health and mental health services vital to Waterville and Oakland. Overall, I want to be a representative who has experience and credibility, and who knows this area because it's where I was raised.