Name: Darren Corcoran

Town: Elma

Party: Democratic

Education: GED; Retired U.S. Army, heavy equipment mechanic currently working on JBLM.

Questions

1. We’ve had an updated revenue forecast for almost a month and we know more about the financial and social impacts of COVID-19. Is it time for the Legislature to have a special session to address budget and other issues?

Since the lockdown, our legislatives should have had special sessions to address this issue instead of being locked down.

2. Because of Covid-19, the state will lose billions of dollars in revenue over this biennium and next, much more than is in the current rainy day fund. Balancing the budget will mean cuts and/or raising taxes. What are your thoughts on whether to cut spending or raise revenue?

Cutting spending isn’t the answer because education and health care have already suffered. Raising revenue isn’t the answer, because of the lockdown a lot of businesses, business owners and citizens have suffered. Taxing isn’t going to help the problem. It’s going to create new issues.

3. If the Legislature has to raise taxes to balance the budget, which segments of the economy should see the increases.

Raising taxes on alcohol, tobacco and cannabis except for medical cannabis.

4. Is there a need for policing reform? If so, what are some of the issues that need addressing?

I don’t think we need any policing reform.

5. What is the most pressing need in your district and what can the Legislature do to address it?

I hear a lot about vehicle registration and how it needs to have a cap. When a motorist looks at their registration, they don’t understand it or the taxes.