by James Cyr | Jul 17, 2015 | Uncategorized
Statement from Maine Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo): “Today marks the final day of work for the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature. I would like to thank all members of the Senate for their hard work over the last six and a half months on behalf of the people of Maine. “Working together we were able to pass significant tax relief, maintain revenue sharing for our local communities, and protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners. “I believe we should all be proud of the work we have accomplished, and I look forward to seeing my fellow senators when we return in January 2016.” Senate President Michael Thibodeau...
by James Cyr | Jul 10, 2015 | Uncategorized
Congratulations to Argo Marketing CEO Jason Levesque who is also a member of the Senate President’s Business Advisory Council! Lewiston Company Adding 300...
by James Cyr | Jun 30, 2015 | Uncategorized
“I am pleased that this budget has survived a veto in the Maine Legislature. “The budget process has been a long one, and the road to get here was often rocky. But in the end, we were able to agree on a budget that brings tax relief to all Mainers. I am especially happy about the tax reductions to small family businesses, including farms, as well as to military retirees. The budget also protects important programs such as revenue sharing. “This is not a perfect document. Rather, it is the product of divided government in which no one gets everything they want, but everyone gets some of what they want.”...
by James Cyr | Jun 23, 2015 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – In an apparent rebuff of the voters’ wishes for welfare reform that led to major gains for Republicans in the Maine Legislature, Democrats in the Maine House last night voted along party lines against a bill that would have brought comprehensive changes to Maine’s welfare system. The legislation, LD 1375 “An Act to Increase Accountability in Maine’s Welfare Programs,” is a governor’s bill sponsored by Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo). Among the reforms it includes are: A work search requirement for those who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) A prohibition on TANF recipients using benefits for tobacco, liquor, gambling, tattoos, and bail A prohibition on TANF recipients using their EBT cards to access benefits outside of Maine The vote in the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives was 76-68, mostly along party lines. The Republican-controlled Maine Senate approved LD 1375 earlier this month. “I am extremely disappointed and quite frankly surprised,” said Senate President Thibodeau. “Voters sent a clear message to all of us last fall that they wanted Maine’s welfare system reformed. They’ve had enough of the abuse and they’ve had enough of the inaction from their government. “These were commonsense reforms that were designed to protect the social safety net for those who truly need it. How Democrats in the Legislature could reject them is beyond me.” LD 1375 will likely die now that it is in non-concurrence between the Senate and House of...
by James Cyr | Jun 18, 2015 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – The Maine Senate today passed a comprehensive bill that adds new restrictions to Maine’s welfare programs that are designed to prevent abuse of taxpayer-funded benefits. Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) is the sponsor of LD 1375, “An Act to Increase Accountability in Maine’s Welfare Programs.” Among other restrictions, the bill: Prohibits welfare benefits from being used for tobacco, liquor, gambling, lottery, tattoos, and bail Prohibits the use of EBT cards outside of Maine Adds a work search requirement for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) if they are capable of working Imposes penalties, including termination of benefits, for abusers “I am very encouraged by today’s vote,” Senator Thibodeau said. “It’s time to bring accountability to Maine’s welfare system, and this bill does that. For years, Maine citizens have told us the state’s welfare system is broken. It is broken because it is not helping people move toward self-sufficiency at the rate it should. This bill takes enormous strides toward that goal.” LD 1375 now goes to the Maine House of Representatives....
