Issues

Larry has emphasized three basic issues in each of his five successful political campaigns: the economy, the environment, and equality.

The Economy

Larry believes that the economy will bounce back, but slowly. We must work hard to encourage small businesses in Maine, by removing the barriers to their success. We have to streamline the permitting process at the state level, and consider eliminating requirements that duplicate municipal permitting regulations. (Larry submitted legislation to consolidate government permitting processes in his first term in the House of Representatives, but the bill was significantly watered down and ultimately ignored.)

Larry is also concerned that employees be paid a livable wage, and that parents are allowed necessary time off to care for their children in emergency situations or illness. He would favor a system that would allow hourly employees to bank hours for unpaid leave for specific purposes.

The Environment

Larry is a long-time member of the Surfrider Foundation, working to protect the beaches and oceans from pollution and exploitation. He is concerned about protection of the wetlands in Scarborough, the small family farms in Cape Elizabeth, and the waterways near the Maine Mall in South Portland. He has also worked to encourage Maine’s participation in lawsuits against the coal-burning factories of the Ohio River Valley, which spew particulate into the Jet Stream, causing high levels of childhood asthma in Cape Elizabeth.

Equality

Larry has worked tirelessly to ensure that all people in Maine are treated equally before the law. He has passed legislation to ensure that inpatients in hospitals are allowed to make decisions about visitors. He has worked to provide equality to members of Maine’s Tribes, and for the Tribal Representatives to the legislature. And he has worked for equality before the law for Maine’s LGBTQ population.