MEREDA Fall Conference: The Governor's Race

I mean, clearly housing was, you know, the theme amongst all the candidates.

So I think we can all agree that, you know, that was a major theme in the presentation.

Where did you see any differences in philosophy or policy that you felt was most significant?

You want to go first, Beth?

Sure.

Yeah, I'll just expand a little bit on what I was just saying, I think, with respect to the difference between investment and deregulation.

I

think

all three candidates understand the need to deregulate.

I think it's just a matter of degrees between them.

I think Bobby, to Jason's point, would probably get rid of as many as he can within his executive authority.

Certainly he indicated he would encourage the legislature to do the same, but if he were to take office, it's unlikely he'd have the whole legislature too.

So I think he's looking in two different directions there.

With Rick, it gets a little bit trickier in terms of finding exactly where he wants to deregulate.

I know he wants to streamline regulations around modular housing and manufactured housing, and I think he's committed to that, modernizing Maine statutes.

But I don't know in terms of some of the regulatory burden on the environmental side where he would be willing to cut.

And we've seen some challenges from him at the legislature on that front.

So I think those questions remain.

And then I think for Hannah, you know, I think seeing her focus on investment is probably...

And not surprisingly where she wants to go.

But she was, you know, I was glad that she said at the end, you know, we need to ensure.

And by that she meant, and I mean, you know, have consequences for failure to create housing across the state.

And she said she'd like to see that through incentive.

But that some measure of, you know, stick might also be needed.

Stick and carrot.