I am driven to run by the many ways I see, every day, that our students, families, and community need more. I want to help, and I’m committed to creating equitable opportunities in education, infrastructure, and accessibility — without placing the burden on Bangor taxpayers.
Here’s how I plan to make that happen.
Why Am I Running?
goals for district 23
This campaign starts with listening. What I’m hearing from you is clear: we need thoughtful solutions that support how we live, learn, and care for one another.
Education
Fund Schools Fairly
Support Students, Protect Taxpayers
Maine’s current school funding formula (the Essential Programs and Services model) determines how state and local dollars are shared, but it hasn’t kept pace with real costs and doesn’t always account fairly for student needs like special education, rural challenges, or language support.
At the State House, I will push to update how school funding is allocated so that amounts are based on real costs, including:
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A fairer weighting for students with disabilities and other higher-need learners
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Adjustments for inflation and regional cost differences
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Funding that reduces the burden on local property taxpayers and reflects state responsibility for education
I will also support inclusive education practices that ensure all students — including multilingual learners — receive the services and accommodations they need.
An Accessible
Community
Make Bangor Work for People
of All Ages and Abilities
I will work to ensure state policy and funding:
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Leverage existing programs and grants that support accessibility improvements in public spaces, sidewalks, trails, and infrastructure so Bangor doesn’t have to shoulder the full burden locally.
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Strengthen coordination between state agencies and local communities so cities like ours can access Age‑Friendly and Community Challenge grants, transportation planning funds, and accessibility upgrades that improve mobility for people with disabilities and older adults.
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Promote and expand programs like MaineCITE and assistive technology services that help individuals live independently at home, at school, and at work.
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Innovate funding for public transportation and mobility access, making sure Bangor has expanded service and safe, accessible routes and crossings so residents can move around without relying solely on cars.
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Work with state housing and aging programs to increase accessible housing options and retrofit existing homes so people can stay in their communities as they age.
By connecting Bangor’s local plans with state resources and strategic investments, we can make our streets safer, improve access to services, and ensure that aging infrastructure supports every resident — whether they use a wheelchair, push a stroller, walk with difficulty, or simply want easier ways to get around.
How This Gets Done
Turning state policy and funding into real support for Bangor’s schools, services, and future
I will work to make sure Bangor gets its fair share of state funding by:
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Making funding more fair, so Bangor gets support based on what we actually need—not just what we can raise through property taxes
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Using state programs to ease the burden on local taxpayers, especially when it comes to schools and essential services
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Helping Bangor access more state funding and grants, so we can better support our schools, roads, and community programs
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Pushing to update outdated policies, so funding keeps up with rising costs and reflects today’s realities
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Making sure state funding leads to real results, so people can actually see the difference in their daily lives
We need to think differently about how Bangor gets its share of state funding.
With a more creative and collaborative approach, we can fully support our schools, roads, and services—without asking more from local taxpayers. Bangor deserves funding that reflects our needs and supports our future.
Inclusive Services & Supports
Dignity, Access, and Opportunity
for Adults with Disabilities
Too many young adults with disabilities in Maine are leaving high school without a clear path forward—disconnected from work, education, and community. As of recent data, only about 35% of working-age Mainers with disabilities are employed, compared to over 80% of their peers, highlighting a significant gap in opportunity and access.
At the State House, I will work to strengthen the transition from school to independence by investing in services and supports that reflect real needs, including:
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Expanded funding for transition programs that connect students to employment, education, and independent living opportunities
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Increased access to workforce training, job coaching, and community-based support services across Maine
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Development of housing and support options so young adults are not left without safe, stable pathways after graduation
I will advocate for a coordinated, statewide approach that ensures young adults with disabilities—and their families—are not navigating these systems alone, but are supported with dignity, access, and real opportunity.
Protecting Maine’s Land, Water, and Communities
Plan for Maine’s Future, Not the
Next Landfill Expansion
Maine’s waste system requires both modern infrastructure and policies grounded in environmental justice—and I will push for both by:
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Using data and research to drive decisions, recognizing that waste is increasing, landfills are filling faster than expected, and current strategies are not sustainable
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Investing in recycling, composting, and waste diversion infrastructure, giving communities real alternatives to landfill use
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Setting clear, enforceable goals to reduce landfill reliance and protect our air, land, and water
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Ensuring environmental justice is central to decision-making, especially for communities like the Penobscot Nation, where concerns about pollution and cumulative harm must be meaningfully addressed
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Limiting out-of-state waste and prioritizing Maine’s environment over profit
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Pushing for policies shaped by experts, scientists, and impacted communities—not short-term expansion of landfill capacity
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Supporting local implementation with the tools and resources communities need to succeed
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Elevating Indigenous leadership, recognizing that the stewardship of the Penobscot Nation and Wabanaki people must guide how we define and practice environmental protection in Maine
We cannot keep expanding landfills as a default solution. Maine needs leadership that plans ahead, prioritizes environmental protection, and ensures our natural resources—and communities—are not sacrificed for convenience or short-term gain.
I’m always looking for ways to improve and grow. By staying open to your ideas and experiences, we can make Bangor stronger, fairer, and more accessible for everyone.
Share your ideas with me at katie@brydonforbangor.com.