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I appreciate the mention in the recent article about contested primary races, as I find myself trying to garner name recognition while competing against an incumbent in House District 24. The essence of my pitch is this: Joe Perry is a nice guy, but it’s time for a change.
The major problems and challenges, such as climate change and homelessness, that we face today require a more aggressive approach. Many of these issues are connected. For example, the “drug war” is an expensive failure, and the money spent investigating, prosecuting and punishing people for drug offenses can do good elsewhere. It is well past time to shift resources away from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, prosecution and incarceration and toward health care and housing — and we should seriously consider decriminalization of drug possession.
We the people should push for a public bank, affordable housing financed with state funds, a dramatic reduction in the use of incarceration, a commitment to renewable energy sources and more. Significant criminal law reform can begin with the repeal of mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent offenses and a reduction of certain driving offenses from criminal to civil. Maine has a severe cost-of-living crisis, and it extends beyond absurd housing costs. But we are not helpless while multinational corporations engage in historic price-gouging.
My skills and experiences as an attorney have prepared me well for service in the Legislature, and I hope the Bangor Daily News’ readers in my district will consider voting for me on June 11.
Zachary Smith
Bangor