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,...
by James Cyr | Apr 15, 2016 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – The Maine Senate tonight passed legislation to ban the use of welfare benefits for the purchase of lottery, alcohol and tobacco products. The legislation passed unanimously. The agreement between Republicans and Democrats includes penalties of a three-month disqualification of benefits for a first time offender of the ban, a 12-month disqualification for a second offense, and a 24-month disqualification for a third offense. Republicans have proposed such bans in recent years but have met resistance from Democrats. Senator Eric Brakey (R-Androscoggin) led the effort to find common ground on legislation that includes significant penalties for those who abuse taxpayers’ welfare dollars. “Republicans on the Health and Human Services Committee made clear early on that real penalties needed to be in place for a ban to be effective,” said Brakey who chairs the Health and Human Services Committee. “I am glad we were able to get Democrats to agree with us that penalties must be firm. This compromise is a result of a lot of hard work, and taxpayers as well as those who truly need and correctly use Maine’s safety net will be the ones who benefit.” Maine Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo), who has made welfare reform a top priority during his time in the Legislature, called it a major step forward. “Reforming Maine’s broken welfare system has long been a priority for Senate Republicans, so I am glad we were finally able to get some buy-in from the Democrats on this issue. Welfare abuse is not a victimless crime. It takes resources away from the programs that are designed to help those who need them...
by James Cyr | Mar 23, 2016 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – Wednesday, March 23, 2016 was Maine Maritime Academy Founders Day at the State House. Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) was among those who helped celebrate the institution’s 75th Anniversary. Surrounded by current MMA students, Thibodeau thanked the school’s founders, faculty and alumni for making the institution such an asset to the State of Maine and the entire maritime...
by James Cyr | Mar 14, 2016 | Uncategorized
“I recently had the opportunity to tour Madison Paper Industries and meet with the workers there who represent the best in their industry, nationwide. At this time, my thoughts are with them and their families and making sure they have the resources they need as we all consider our best path forward. “While this is unwelcome news, it is also important to recognize that Maine continues to have a diverse forest products industry and an outstanding workforce. It is crucial that this important sector of Maine’s economy remains vibrant in the future, despite the challenges for the pulp and paper...
by James Cyr | Mar 9, 2016 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA — The Maine Legislature on Wednesday passed a bill package that conforms Maine’s tax laws with recent changes to federal law, while providing $15 million in additional funding for local school districts. The tax conformity bill, LD 1583, conforms fully with the federal tax extender bill approved by Congress in 2015, and funds extensions of tax relief for businesses, teachers and homeowners for two years. The Senate enacted the bill with a unanimous vote, following a 121-19 enactment vote in the House of Representatives. The school funding bill, LD 1641, provides an additional $15 million of state aid to local schools, which are facing a shortfall in funding from the state. The Department of Education has recommended $20.9 million to keep local property tax rates from rising. The bill also creates a Blue Ribbon Commission to study school funding, to ensure the state is doing the best it can to provide for K-12 education. The Senate enacted LD 1641 with a unanimous vote, after a 131-8 vote in the House of Representatives. Senate President Michael Thibodeau, R-Winterport, called the passage of LD 1583 a “huge win for Maine’s small businesses and for all tax filers.” “As I said before, tax conformity is the seed corn of our economic future, because the seeds we plant now will greatly benefit us in the short and long term,” Thibodeau said. “By passing this bill, we are telling businesses that they are appreciated and welcome here in Maine, and that will benefit all of us. I was pleased that we were able to provide additional resources for education which will help...
by James Cyr | Feb 22, 2016 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – A bill sponsored by Maine Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) to protect domestic abuse victims is making its way through the Legislature. The bill (LD 1563), “An Act To Enact the Uniform Interstate Enforcement of Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act” is currently in front of the Judiciary Committee. If signed into law, the bill would require Maine to adopt the Uniform Interstate Enforcement of Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act which establishes a uniform system for the enforcement of domestic violence protection orders across state lines. Congress passed the Violence Against Woman Act of 1994, but many states have their own laws with differing statutes regarding interstate enforcement of protection orders. The Uniform Interstate Enforcement of Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act ensures that protection orders are treated exactly the same, regardless of where they were issued. So far 18 states have enacted this legislation including California, Alabama, Texas and Rhode Island. Wisconsin is currently considering it. “This is an important piece of legislation for domestic abuse victims and for law enforcement,” Senator Thibodeau said. “It ensures that the same protections that are in place for victims here in Maine will be observed if they go to another state that has adopted this legislation. “Domestic abuse victims have already endured enough trauma. They need and deserve protection regardless of where a protection order was issued.” The Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on the bill before it goes to the full Legislature before lawmakers adjourn in April. # # # ...
by James Cyr | Feb 3, 2016 | Uncategorized
“This tax conformity package is the seed corn of our economic future; the seeds we plant now will greatly benefit us in the long run-not just the short term. Members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, recognized that when they approved tax reductions late last year. It would be irresponsible for us to not conform to the federal ‘Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act.’ “Republicans on the Maine’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee took the economically responsible course of action in approving the tax conformity package today. “In addition to preventing $38 million in increased tax liability, this legislation sends the right message to Maine’s small businesses, teachers, and to all taxpayers: We do not intend to increase your tax liability in the future and we won’t make it more difficult to live and work in Maine. “The one-year solution supported by Democrats may be politically expedient, but it sends the wrong message to the very people we desperately need to make investments in our...
by James Cyr | Feb 1, 2016 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – A bill that will align Maine’s tax code with the federal standards, lowering the tax burden for Maine’s businesses and individuals was passed today by the Legislature’s Taxation Committee. The legislation, LD 1564, “An Act to Update References to the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Contained in the Maine Revised Statutes,” was introduced to the Maine Legislature in response to changes the U.S. Congress recently made to federal tax guidelines. The federal bill, “Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act” offers much-needed relief for businesses and individuals. LD 1564 lets Maine’s small businesses keep more of their revenue which will allow them to make investments in their operations and expand and hire new workers. The legislation is strongly supported by members of Maine’s business community. It will benefit teachers by allowing them to deduct classroom expenses. There are tax incentives for homeowners, higher education, and low-income Mainers in the bill. Maine Senate President Michael Thibodeau, (R-Waldo) said, “It is important that we adopt this tax policy for the long term, and not just make a temporary fix, because businesses and all Maine citizens need to know that we are serious about not raising their tax liability and, in effect, their cost of living here doing business.” Tomorrow the bill will be referred to the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee which will take up the issue of funding offsets that it will require. It will then go to the full Legislature for a...
by James Cyr | Jan 19, 2016 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – The Maine Legislature today passed emergency legislation to combat the escalating drug crisis in Maine. The $3.7 million spending package puts 10 new Maine drug enforcement agents on the street and dedicates resources to treating drug addicts and to assist drug prevention efforts. Governor Paul LePage signed the bill into law shortly after it was sent to him by the Legislature. Maine lawmakers recently vowed to take immediate action on addressing the drug crisis after public safety and health officials around the state began reporting a sharp spike in the number of heroin-related overdoses and arrests around the state. Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo), sponsored the bill,” An Act To Combat Drug Addiction through Enforcement, Prevention, Treatment and Recovery.” (LD 1537). President Thibodeau said, “This sends a clear message to those who want to sell drugs here in Maine: we’re not going to tolerate that kind of activity. We are going to make sure our children have a safe place to grow up.” The votes in both the Maine Senate and House of Representatives were unanimous. “It is remarkable when every legislator in the building puts aside their differences to do something that will help Maine. This is something we should all be very proud of, and it bodes very well for the upcoming session.” Assistant Majority Leader Andre Cushing (R-Penobscot) said, “This legislation highlights the importance of addressing the drug crisis here in Maine. It sends the message to dealers that their deadly drugs are not welcome here in Maine.” Senator Jim Hamper (R-Oxford) cautioned lawmakers from thinking their work was done on this issue. “Let’s...
