Madison's Priorities

No one should be taxed out of their home. Property tax increases of 30% or more in a single year aren’t sustainable. Let’s cap how quickly property taxes can rise so working families, seniors, and those renting can stay rooted in their communities. Property taxes should fund strong schools and public services, not force people to choose between housing, food, and heat.

We need a smarter system—young families in starter homes and retired couples on fixed incomes shouldn’t be paying the same rate as part-time residents who own multi-million-dollar properties. Fairness means asking more of those who can afford it, while protecting the people who make our communities work. We can protect homeowners while still investing in our state’s future and expanding opportunities for young Mainers wanting to buy their first homes and start setting their roots.

Mainers value hard work and need good union jobs. Manufacturing was once a central part of Maine’s economy, and I want to bring those jobs back to our small towns. We must support longstanding Maine industries like logging, fishing, and farming and encourage new industries to benefit our communities. We can build high-performance homes and lead the way in mass timber. We can lower energy bills by building wind turbines and installing solar panels on our rooftops. We can modernize Maine’s infrastructure and electrical grid. And so much more. Together, we can build an economy that works for Maine families by lifting wages and expanding opportunity for everyone.

Everyone should be able to afford to live in Maine. Making homes affordable requires increasing the supply of houses. We can increase development while protecting the environment. I’m an architect and I teach architecture students. I love working with my students in the woodshop, building models, and my work gives me a deep respect for the trades. I could talk all day about what we can do as a community to build a more beautiful world, but at the end of the day, it comes down to one thing: affordability.‍ ‍

To make housing more affordable, we need to make better use of existing buildings, allow small apartment units on existing properties, and site new construction near town centers. We should prioritize thoughtful site strategies that preserve green space, connect to the surrounding landscape, and maintain the character of our neighborhoods. Thoughtful choices like these will increase housing supply without sprawl, create walkable, connected neighborhoods, and keep close-knit communities together. Intentional investments will create steady work in construction and the building trades and lower our energy costs. I believe housing should be built to last, use Maine timber, and strengthen our sense of belonging.

Public schools are the heart of strong communities. As a graduate of Rockland’s MidCoast School of Technology, I know the difference vocational education can make in a young person’s life. I believe in a public education system that nurtures every student from cradle to career, giving them the skills and confidence to succeed in a changing world. Teachers do meaningful work every day, and they deserve the time, trust, compensation, and resources to teach well. Maine’s teacher shortage is serious , and I will support policies that attract, retain, and celebrate dedicated educators.

Career and Technical Education should be an essential resource for every district. CTE opens pathways into skilled work that sustains families and strengthens our local economies. Beyond CTEs traditional trades like carpentry, welding, maritime careers, and electrical work, we can expand programming to meet the needs of a green economy. We can also expand hands-on learning through school gardens and partnerships with local farms, giving students practical horticultural and agricultural skills while deepening their connection to Maine’s land and food systems.