📰BIDDEFORD | Let's Have a Debate | Malon VS Lessard | Maine House District 133
By RANDY SEAVER & JOSHUA WOLFE
The two men hoping to represent Biddeford’s District 133 in the Maine House of Representatives answered a series of questions from local journalists during a sometimes-heated debate on Sunday.
Incumbent Democrat Marc Malon is being challenged for a third consecutive term by veteran city councilor Marc Lessard who is making his first bid for statewide office as an unenrolled candidate.
Lessard, 63, and Malon, 43, traded a few barbs and answered a wide range of questions during an hour-long debate that touched on subjects including Maine’s economy, healthcare and a projected $1.3 billion budget shortfall.
The candidates were respectful but also offered sharply divided perspectives about what Biddeford residents need from their state representative.
Malon touted his experience in state government, often reminding Lessard that serving in Augusta is a much different dynamic than serving as a city councilor.
Lessard criticized Malon for voting in lockstep with his party while Maine’s economy has declined over the last eight years of a Democratic majority.
During his opening remarks, Malon said he is concerned about the world that his two daughters will inherit and wants to ensure that they and other young Mainers will have the same opportunities as the generations before them.
“I will be able to hit the ground running,” Malon said. “We are facing serious challenges, but I believe people are more than line items on a spread sheet.”
Lessard said it’s important that voters finally have a choice in who will represent them, pointing out that Malon was unchallenged during his two previous elections.
“People in Biddeford have been watching me since 1993,” Lessard said. “They know who I am and where I stand. I am running my own campaign with no outside funding. I will not be beholden to any special interests.”
Both candidates said they are concerned about potentially significant electricity and water utility rate hikes that are now pending before the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
The Maine Water Company is seeking a 26.2 percent rate increase while Central Maine Power is hoping regulators will approve a $189 million distribution rate request that could increase residential electric bills by roughly $18 per month.
“We cannot afford to continue a race to the bottom,” Lessard said, voicing concerns about how the proposed rate hikes will impact families who are already on tight budgets.
Malon said he understands that utility companies need to invest in their infrastructure but said the timing and size of the proposed hikes are troubling.
“Right now – as we sit here tonight many families are worried about how they are going to heat their homes this year,” Malon said. “We’re not talking just about low-income families. This is one of the biggest concerns I’m hearing from people as I knock on doors during this campaign.”
Josh Wolfe of the Biddeford Buzz pressed both candidates to specifically address Maine’s current economy.
Lessard said the state’s economy needs a radical course correction, pointing out that Maine now has the fifth highest electric rates in the nation and is ranked 48th in overall economic conditions; and 47th in personal incomes.
Lessard cited WalletHub and CNBC as his sources, but other nationwide comparisons paint a somewhat less dire picture of Maine’s economy, including rankings from U.S. News & World Report, which places Maine’s economy at 30th overall and 24th in employment conditions.
Malon said the best way to grow Maine’s economy is to expand its supply of housing for all sectors, including more opportunities for first-time homebuyers and seniors looking to downsize their homes.
“Study after study shows that housing drives economic development and local and state economies,” Malon said. “Employers need housing options that their employees can afford. That’s why the Maine Chamber of Commerce has made housing a top priority.”
Lower housing cost means both renters and homeowners have more disposable income, Malon said.
But Lessard said skyrocketing interest rates have made it almost impossible to build any type of housing developments.
Time for a change or time for experienced leaders?
Lessard continually hammered at Malon for what he described as putting his political interests above the needs of Maine’s working families.
“The very definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results,” Lessard said. “Mr. Malon votes with his party 92 percent of the time, and look where that has gotten us.”
But Malon countered by saying that state lawmakers need to collaborate in order to achieve meaningful results for their constituents.
Malon touted his work in supporting legislation such as LD 2226, which readjusted the way state funding is calculated to more fairly fund school districts that have high property assessments and low incomes.
“We are finally meeting our legal obligation to fund local education at 55 percent and our ‘rainy-day’ fund is now fully capitalized,” Malon said. “Sometimes you have to fight hard, but you also have to work with people if you want to get results that matter for your constituents.”
Lessard reiterated one of his central campaign messages that if elected he will be “a firm wall against tax and spend policies.”
“We don’t need to build walls in Augusta,” Malon quipped. “We need to build bridges and focus on solutions.”
When asked about cannabis legislation, Lessard said he is flatly opposed to any expansion or softening of regulations and described marijuana as a gateway drug that leads to numerous social ills.
Following his response to the cannabis question, Wolfe asked Lessard to clarify whether he felt the same way about both medical and recreational cannabis. Lessard said he would support tighter regulations on medical cannabis but remains opposed to any expansion of recreational cannabis.
Malon said he supports the cannabis industry but said regulations and standards need to be strengthened, pointing out there is less oversight of medical cannabis than on recreational cannabis.
Lessard said he feels as if other York County communities are simply sending their homeless populations to Biddeford, putting undue strains on the city’s budget and impeding the downtown’s business climate.
He also criticized a recent announcement that highlights an additional $300,000 of funding from the Maine Housing Authority for the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center on South Street, pointing out that the city last year invested close to $1 million with little accountability for how those funds would be used.
Malon said the state should play a leading role in developing a regional shelter that includes resources for individuals with substance abuse and mental health issues.
“The best way to decrease homelessness is to prevent the problem before it happens,” he said, pointing to the success of the Housing First initiative. “We need to make it affordable for people to stay in their homes, which is a much less expensive approach.”
Malon said he supports offshore wind development as a strategy to further reduces Maine’s dependence on natural gas.
Lessard said he opposes offshore wind development, citing his time working many years ago as a lobsterman. He said coastal fishermen are already facing too many regulations and restrictions that are hurting one of Maine’s traditional industries.
When asked who they are supporting to be Maine’s next governor, Lessard talked about his own status as an independent candidate, but when pressed for a specific answer said he will be supporting independent candidate Rick Bennett.
Malon said he has already cast his ballot for Hannah Pingree, pointing out that he also supported in the June 9 primary and said “she has a proven track record of being able to work with others.”
A stark difference
In his closing statement, Malon pointed to what he described as a dangerous federal administration being led by “an out-of-control president.”
“I’m the only one who knows how to get things done at the state level,” Malon said.
But Lessard touted his own experience tackling complex policy issues during his time on the city council and as chair of the York County Budget Committee. He pointed out that Malon began his legislative career with no experience.
“How long does it take to learn the ropes?” Lessard asked. “I’m a pretty smart guy. I think it won’t take me long to figure it out.”
“There is a clear difference between me and Mr. Malon,” Lessard said. “What has doing things the Augusta way done for us? How is that helping the city of Biddeford?”
“We’re not running for city council,” Malon shot back. “We’re running for the Legislature, and the Augusta way is about working with people. We need statewide solutions and statewide policies.”
Absentee ballots are now available at the Biddeford City Clerk’s office. The election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
This story will be updated with video footage of the debate provided by the Biddeford Buzz.
Editor’s Note: Both the Biddeford Buzz and Biddeford Gazette wish to acknowledge the support provided by the staff of the McArthur Library in making Sunday’s debate possible.
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