by James Cyr | Nov 10, 2016 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – Newly elected Republican state senators have unanimously chosen Senator Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) to serve as Senate President for the 128th Maine Legislature. Following Tuesday’s vote, Republicans will once again hold the majority in the Maine Senate by an 18-17 margin. The entire Maine Senate will formally vote for senate president on Swearing-In Day, which is scheduled for December 7, 2016. It will mark the first time a Republican has served as senate president for consecutive terms since 1980. Republicans also chose Senator Garrett Mason (R-Androscoggin) to serve again as senate majority leader and Senator Andre Cushing (R-Penobscot) as assistant majority leader. Senate President Thibodeau said, “I am extremely grateful to my fellow senators for once again expressing their confidence in me by choosing me to be not only their leader, but the leader of the entire Maine Senate. There are some who doubted our ability to maintain the majority in this election, but I believe the voters have validated our efforts to reform welfare and to make Maine a better place to work and live. “We are interested in working with all willing and interested parties to take on the state’s biggest challenges, and I am looking forward to the next two years.” Senator Garrett Mason said, “I am very proud to be the first Republican leader to serve back to back terms since 1970, and I would like to thank my fellow senators for trusting me to serve as their leader once again. I am looking forward to the next two years and can’t wait to get back to work.” Senator Andre Cushing said, “It is...
by James Cyr | Nov 3, 2016 | Uncategorized
By The BDN Editorial Board Posted Nov. 03, 2016, at 12:24 p.m. Lawmakers have tried and failed over the years to clarify how politicians can use the money they raise through political action committees they operate. The failure to enact needed reforms, however, does not excuse Democrats in the state Senate from grandstanding on the issue recently and pressing for unnecessary investigations of activities that clearly are allowed. Certainly, there’s cause for concern when a sitting legislator operates a PAC and much of the money the committee raises ends up in the legislator’s pocket. It’s happened repeatedly through the years, and it raises serious questions about why legislator-run leadership PACs exist. Is it to pay for political campaign activity or to supplement lawmakers’ income directly from special interest campaign contributions? In 2012, for example, the Current newspapers in southern Maine reported that the PAC run by former state Sen. Cynthia Dill, D-Cape Elizabeth, paid Dill $4,000 to maintain a blog. In 2014, the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting reported that more than half the money spent since 2008 by the PAC run by then-state Sen. John Tuttle, a Sanford Democrat, went to Tuttle, to family members, and to cover some of their everyday expenses. Story continues below advertisement. Earlier this year, the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting reported on another Democratic legislator, Rep. Diane Russell of Portland, who paid herself from funds raised by her PAC and spent a small portion of the PAC’s money on its stated mission. It’s disturbing, but there’s nothing illegal about a lawmaker raising money for a PAC, then directing the money...
by James Cyr | Sep 2, 2016 | Uncategorized
“There is universal agreement in Maine that the governor has crossed several lines that should never be approached ever again. His behavior has created headlines across the nation for all of the wrong reasons. “For many, his apology on Wednesday was sufficient. But more people were interested in results. The governor, and the governor, alone, is responsible for his behavior and I believe there is no doubt he would benefit from additional help to address his explosive behavior. “Many Senate Republicans have expressed a desire to return to the State House for a special session to hold the governor accountable. “I find myself disappointed with the decision by the House Speaker to initiate a poll of his caucus regarding the governor’s recent actions without specific language for the question. “It is clear to me that Democratic leadership is not interested in holding the governor accountable for his actions but is more focused on the political advantage this situation presents. With Democratic leadership favoring impeachment, and the House Minority Office unwilling to call back legislators for any reason, I see no path for the Legislature to reconvene. “At yesterday’s meeting among Democrat and Republican leaders, we agreed to meet again to find a path forward to address the situation with the governor. No sooner had it ended that Democrat leadership went to the media and called for the resignation of the governor. They said one thing behind closed doors and quite another to the TV cameras. “Many members of the Senate Republican caucus had expressed a desire to come back into session to consider a narrowly defined resolution to force...
by James Cyr | Aug 31, 2016 | Uncategorized
“With all due respect, I completely disagree with Representative Fredette’s position. The Republican senate caucus has clearly stated that we need an acceptable plan for corrective action before the determination of whether the Legislature should convene is made. “We implore the governor to do the right thing and look forward to today’s news conference.” Senate President Michael Thibodeau...
by James Cyr | Aug 10, 2016 | Uncategorized
BELFAST – Veterans from the Belfast, Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) joined Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) today in celebrating the enactment of “Stolen Valor” legislation. The bill, LD 1642, “”An Act Regarding Stolen Valor, ” strengthens the current law against Mainers who make false claims about having served in the United States armed forces. Veterans from the Belfast VFW asked Senate President Thibodeau to sponsor the bill prior to the beginning of the 127th Legislature. Under the new law, anyone who makes such claims will be subject to the state law governing theft by deception. It also specifies that any fine imposed on such a person must be deposited into the Maine Military Family Relief Fund. “When these American heroes asked me to sponsor this legislation, I told them it would be a true honor,” Thibodeau said. “After all they did to serve our nation, they have earned the right to call themselves veterans. For anyone else to falsely claim they are a veteran in order to benefit from it personally is beyond despicable. The intent of this bill is to make that very clear to anyone who is considering impersonating a veteran.” The bill passed unanimously in both the Maine House and Senate before being signed by Governor Paul LePage. Among those who joined Senate President Thibodeau at today’s news conference were veterans from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. # #...
by James Cyr | Jul 26, 2016 | Uncategorized
SEARSPORT – Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) attended the second board meeting of the Maine Ocean School, (Maine School of Marine Science, Technology, Transportation and Engineering School) in Searsport on Monday July 25, 2016. While the board is in the early stages of developing the school, they are on track to have the educational plan ready by February 2107, with some programs available in the fall of that year. Senator Thibodeau congratulated the board on making the school a reality and reflected on the importance of the school-not only to the future of Searsport and Stockton Springs, but also to Waldo County and the entire State of Maine. Town Manager James Gillway, who also serves in the Maine House of Representatives, sponsored the initial piece of legislation to bring the school to fruition. He thanked Senator Thibodeau for the critical role he played in shepherding the bill through the Legislature. Without his help, Gillway said, the school would not exist. Also at the meeting, Charlene Knox Farris presented the board with a report about the extensive history of Searsport and why it makes sense for the school to be located here. Searsport has a long history of supporting seafarers and the marine industry since the early 1700s. The institution will be a public magnet school designed to provide certain high-achieving high school students with a challenging educational experience. The school will be located in the Town of Searsport and will serve students from throughout Maine. Students from other states and countries may attend on a space-available basis. Board members include Eric Jergerson, Carla Scocchi, Gayle Zydlewski, Tom Marx,...
