Dana Staples is running for Maine House District 88 (South Auburn). A resident of Auburn, Dana shares this information about himself to encourage you to cast your ballot for him.
Tell us a bit about your personal history – jobs held, accomplishments, or other information about you that you’d like voters to know:
I’ve spent more than twenty years working for Maine companies in the computer software sector, leading engineering and IT teams. My most recent position was VP of IT at ReVision Energy.
In my free time, I have volunteered on boards and committees for the City of Auburn for over a decade. I have had the pleasure of serving on the Parks and Rec Advisory Board, Complete Streets Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, Strategic Plan Committee, and two different Comprehensive Plan Committees. I also served on the Auburn City Council.
What led you to run for this office?
I have a passion for understanding how things work. My work for the City of Auburn has shown me what things are working well for Auburn and also where Auburn is limited by things that the state controls. I would like to be the advocate that Auburn needs in Augusta.
What are the most important issues that residents of Androscoggin County face? What do you propose to address those issues?
I have knocked on well over 1,000 doors and I keep hearing similar concerns. The cost of living is too high, taxes are out of control, our healthcare is not working, and people are sick of hearing politicians argue.
What policies and legislation do you plan to advocate for?
I’d like to see the homestead exemption increased and indexed to inflation so the legislature doesn’t have to vote to increase it again. This will help with property taxes.
I’d like to work with Maine Housing to determine a way to lower the cost burden put on first time homebuyers in today’s market.
I will strongly advocate for ways to reduce the cost of solar energy, such as requiring utilities to accept a flexible interconnection approval system, as seen in Australia where a similar system was able to reduce solar installation costs significantly.
What do you think the biggest challenges of this office will be? How do you plan to overcome them?
I think too often we see legislation pass on party lines in Augusta. I want to see much less of that. I will strive to find common ground with Republicans and determine ways to reach across the aisle. Politics are becoming far too rooted in systems of beliefs, and this leads to people not being able to see other sides. We are all trying to make a living in this state, and we have much more in common than we realize.
If elected, what elected official would you most like to emulate?
I’ve always looked up to Adam Lee. I respect him and have asked him questions through the process of running. Auburn is lucky to have him as a State Representative.