Over the past five years, the cost of living in Maine has risen faster than almost anywhere else in New England. While wages have inched upward, the price of everyday necessities — housing, groceries, and energy — has climbed far faster, leaving too many Mainers feeling squeezed. Housing costs have surged by more than 50% since 2020, with the median home price jumping from roughly $235,000 to over $350,000. Nearly four out of five households can no longer afford a median-pric
My great-grandparents came to this region from Quebec to work in the paper mills. For generations, my family—like thousands of families across western Maine—was supported by good jobs in manufacturing and industry. Those jobs allowed people who worked hard to buy a home, raise a family, and build a good life here. My generation is the first in more than 100 years to come of age without a large industrial employer providing that same foundation in our town. I don’t believe we
A home should provide stability, not constant anxiety about whether the next property tax bill or rent increase will make it unaffordable. For many families and seniors in our community, the challenge isn’t just finding housing—it’s being able to afford the home they already have. I believe we need to reduce the burden of property taxes, protect affordable manufactured housing, and encourage more housing options that meet the needs of Maine families today. My Plan to Make Hou
