Christina “Tina” Riley
Candidate for House District 74
437 Main St., Jay, ME 04239
897-2288
1 – Describe personal and professional experiences with nonprofit organizations.
Every member of my immediate family and I have at some point been employed by a nonprofit. I personally bank at a credit union and have benefited from countless community resources created by nonprofits – recreational opportunities, educational and community outreach, and several health programs. I mentor a local FIRST robotics team, which seeks to impart team-building, technical, and business-etiquette skills to high school students; FIRST is an international nonprofit organization. I recognize and appreciate the tremendous value these organizations bring to our communities.
2 – Describe specific ways in which you would partner with the nonprofit sector to advance policies that strengthen Maine.
Nonprofits tend to have well-synthesized information on topics which are important to public policy decisions, so I would seek their input as experts in their fields whenever it was appropriate to do so. Never having been in public office before, I have yet to see how those relationships will develop, but I expect them to be significant. Since the people of my district are particularly concerned with employment and economic development, health and health care, and education, I expect there will be significant opportunities to work with nonprofit agencies in my area to gain a better understanding in those areas and more.
3 – What is your position on property tax exemption for Maine nonprofit property owners?
I support the current property tax exemption laws. I would support exploration of a partial reimbursement by the State to municipalities which are shouldering an exceptionally high burden of non-taxable properties (nonprofit and governmental included), if the benefit of those organizations is not primarily local.
4 – Do you have any specific questions or need further information on any particular issue regarding Maine’s nonprofit sector that we can help you with?
Not now, but I’m sure I will if I’m elected to office.