Albion, Benton, China, Unity Township

Name: H. David Cotta

Age: 61

Political Party: Republican

Residence: China

Employment: Retired

Education: Undergraduate at Embry-Riddle, Daytona Beach, Fla.

Political experience: One term as state legislator; served on China Appeals Board and China Road Committee

Name: Christopher M. Doyon

Age: 44

Political Party: Democratic

Residence: China

Employment: Information-technology manager

Education: Associates degree in philosophy and religious studies, Ball State University

Political experience: Chairman, China Democratic Committee

1. What can you, as a state legislator, do to help people struggling this year with the high cost of gas and oil?

COTTA: "We need to allow an income tax deduction for to-and-from work mileage. And LIHEAP has got to be funded; we have to have a state energy strategy."

DOYON: "This whole energy crisis started at the federal level; we do have an energy policy and it stinks. We need increase in funding in the LIHEAP budget; it should double before winter's out. On gasoline, you cannot ignore the long term. There are electric vehicles that could be used ... and we don't make it available to them."

2. How would you handle the biggest issues facing the towns in your district?

COTTA: "In our towns, the selectmen form of government is the local government. I do not have direct input on those local issues other than as a citizen of the community. It's about how we interface with the state. An informed individual makes good decisions, and I need to get people the best information possible."

DOYON: "We need to lead discussions from the bottom up. I want to go into the towns once I'm elected and find out about what their needs are."

3. Do you have any plans that would result in more jobs for Maine?

COTTA: "We have to become more business-friendly in Maine and remove the barriers to attracting new businesses. Businesses look at the long-term stability and predictability. The cost of electricity is one barrier. Also, the tax law is an impediment to businesses."

DOYON: "I support the Oxford County Casino; it will bring tremendous revenue to the state. I support the Central Maine Power build-up grid; that will bring 8,000 jobs. I'd also like to entice wood-pellet companies to create a factory here in Maine."

4. What do you think of the beverage-tax repeal on the November ballot.

COTTA: "I will vote yes on Question 1. I think Dirigo is missing its target; I think it can be fixed."

DOYON: "I'm going to vote against the people's veto; I oppose it. To me, Dirigo needs adequate funding."

5. Would you support legislation to change the income tax or sales tax?

COTTA: "Income tax, yes, we can make adjustments. I thought there had been a brilliant proposal (last legislative session) with the adjustment of income percentages and brackets. There was really good material in that and it had bi-partisan support. The sales tax is a good vehicle for the state. It should be used cautiously."

DOYON: "I have a proposal to reduce Maine's income tax in four years in stages. It would be across the board, down 5 percent, the last year. I would leave the sales tax the same."

6. What's the biggest social issue facing the state in the next two years?

COTTA: "Health care for our children. They have to have access to nutrition and pre-natal and early child care. That is a social responsibility we have to address at the grassroots -- taking care of our children."

DOYON: "I think the most prominent issue in the state is going to be the rights of gay people in our society. We're going to deal with gay marriage. I absolutely support full gay rights in all aspects."