by James Cyr | Jan 8, 2016 | Uncategorized
The Second Regular Session of the 127th Legislature began on January 6, 2016. The second session is the shorter two. The Legislature is expected to have all its business completed and adjourn in mid-April. Lawmakers don’t have nearly as many bills to consider in the second session, but this Legislature has a lot on its plate, nevertheless. Among the topics they will be tackling are legislation to combat the heroin epidemic in Maine, welfare reform and other...
by James Cyr | Dec 14, 2015 | Uncategorized
“I am pleased the governor has decided to release the voter-approved bonds. I look forward to his cooperation as we reauthorize the expired LMF bonds so they can go out to the market as soon as possible. Senate Republicans have repeatedly supported efforts to provide heating assistance to low-income Mainers, and we will continue to work collaboratively to achieve that goal.” Senate President Michael Thibodeau...
by James Cyr | Dec 8, 2015 | Uncategorized
Below is a letter from Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) to Governor Paul LePage outlining the Legislature’s plans to strengthen drug fighting efforts in Maine. Senate President Letter to the...
by James Cyr | Dec 1, 2015 | Uncategorized
FREEPORT – Maine Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) was recognized by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce Monday night for “outstanding legislative leadership.” The chamber credited the senate president with advancing sound public policy during the past legislative session and working to rise above partisan politics at the State House. Senate President Thibodeau said, “I was very honored to be recognized by the organization that represents businesses across the entire state for the important work that is being doing in...
by James Cyr | Nov 18, 2015 | Uncategorized
“Charles Cawley’s impact on Waldo County and the entire region is immeasurable. His vision for MBNA led to a historic economic revival for the area that we are still benefitting from. His generous philanthropic efforts include scholarships, athletic fields, the Waldo County YMCA and so much more. Charles Cawley will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on for generations to come.” Senate President Michael Thibodeau...
by James Cyr | Nov 5, 2015 | Uncategorized
SKOWHEGAN – Maine Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) said the state’s pulp and paper industry continues to be a world leader, despite recent setbacks in Maine. The Senate President, Maine House Speaker Mark Eves (D-North Berwick) and other legislators today began a tour of the state’s paper mills, following recent announcements of mill closures and layoffs in Maine. The first part of the tour, which is being coordinated by the Maine Pulp and Paper Association, included stops at mills in Madison, Skowhegan and Westbrook. Senator Rod Whittemore (R-Somerset) who represents the senate district which includes the Madison and Skowhegan mills also joined the tour. “It was very exciting to see the strength and vibrancy of the pulp and paper industry firsthand,” Thibodeau said. “While the recent news about Maine paper mills has been discouraging, there is no doubt that this industry will be a play a big role in Maine’s eeconomic future. “The main goal of these visits is to hear from company officials about what we in the Legislature can do to make it easier for them to do business in Maine. They identified high energy costs as a problem, which wasn’t a surprise. But they brought up other issues, as well. The information we gather on this tour will be very helpful to us when the Legislature returns in January.” Lawmakers will visit Baileyville on November 12th. Following the tours, a workshop will take place at the State House where legislators will hear from paper industry experts. Leaders will then share what they have learned and what they hope to accomplish to help Maine’s paper mills on...
by James Cyr | Nov 5, 2015 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – Following recent announcements of closings and layoffs, Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) and House Speaker Mark Eves (D-North Berwick) are launching a legislative tour of Maine’s paper mills. In coordination with Maine Pulp and Paper Association, legislative leaders will tour mills in Madison, Skowhegan and Westbrook on November 5th and Baileyville on November 12th. Following the tours, a workshop will take place at the State House where legislators will hear from paper industry experts. Leaders will then share what they have learned and what they hope to accomplish to help Maine’s paper mills on November 17th at the Maine Pulp and Paper Association’s summit on Maine’s pulp and paper industry. “Rather than having the paper industry workers come to Augusta, we want go to the mills of Maine to witness the economic engine that is driving the forest products industry of our state. “While we’re all disappointed in the bad news about closures and layoffs, we need to remember that there are also many success stories in Maine’s paper industry. We have the best paper makers in the world and we need to figure out how to capitalize on that. “From a policy-making standpoint, those of us at the State House need to know what we’re doing right for the paper industry and where there is room for improvement.” “Maine’s mill workers have faced incredibly challenging times. Many have lost their jobs or faced cut backs through no fault of their own,” said House Speaker Eves, who sponsored a new law to bolster training and retraining programs for students and displaced workers. “Our goal will be to...
by James Cyr | Oct 30, 2015 | Uncategorized
By Senate President Michael Thibodeau When I first ran for office the notion of asking my friends and neighbors to donate their hard-earned dollars to my campaign just didn’t feel right. Like it can be for many political first-timers, simply going door-to-door or speaking before a gathered crowd was unnerving. Fundraising can be difficult for folks just jumping into politics, and I understand that. During my time in the State Legislature, I have run both as a clean elections candidate and a traditional candidate. However, I am firmly opposed to expanding the Clean Elections program as Question One on Tuesday’s ballot seeks to do. Proponents of this referendum claim that increasing the amount of money available to those who use clean elections will increase the number of “ordinary people” running for office. In this regard, they have a solution in search of a problem. Maine has a citizen legislature, and I’ve been lucky enough to serve with those who’ve made their livings as plumbers, teachers, carpenters, firefighters, paper workers, and bus drivers. The notion that the Maine State Legislature is comprised of deep-pocketed elitists is easily proven wrong by a quick look at the bios of those who are actually serving. You don’t need to take my word for it, even a Question One supporter pointed out in a recent email blast that the legislature is indeed comprised of “more everyday Mainers” than ever before. In fact, in 2014 – the most recent election cycle for the Maine State Legislature – more than half of candidates for the State House used the current clean elections system. The simple truth...
by James Cyr | Oct 29, 2015 | Uncategorized
Senate President Mike Thibodeau Awarded Jim McGregor Government Service Award Thursday, October 29, 2015 by Curtis Picard Maine Senate President Mike Thibodeau of Winterport has been unanimously selected by the Retail Association of Maine Board of Directors to receive the organization’s 2015 Jim McGregor Government Service Award. The Jim McGregor Government Service Award has been presented annually to a wide list of state and local officials. The award was designed to mirror the key word in its name: service. “The retail community of Maine appreciates the leadership of Senator Thibodeau and his efforts on behalf of retailers this last legislative session,” said Curtis Picard, Executive Director of the Retail Association of Maine. “The Jim McGregor Award recognizes an individual who goes above and beyond just like Jim McGregor did for our members for so many years.” Senator Thibodeau is serving his third term in the Senate, representing Waldo County. Thibodeau is a graduate of Hampden Academy. He is currently the owner and operator of T B Equipment, a heavy equipment dealer supplying new and used equipment to central and northern Maine. Thibodeau and his wife, Stacy, recently began a new company, Mt. Waldo Plastics, which is the only company in Maine to manufacture snow shovels. “Senator Thibodeau was critical in navigating a very difficult state budget this year. The original proposal included many areas that would have directly impacted Maine’s retailers, but he listened to our concerns and helped forge a compromise that still lowered income taxes, but without increasing sales taxes,” said Picard. In 2010, the Retail Association of Maine named this award after its retired director...
by James Cyr | Oct 6, 2015 | Uncategorized
The Governor’s request for Senator Roger Katz to resign from the Government Oversight Committee is unwarranted. Senator Katz is precisely the right person to lead this committee. His integrity and fair-mindedness as an elected official are well-established and respected. That is exactly why I appointed him. The fact of the matter is the Government Oversight Committee, comprised of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, voted unanimously to undertake this review. Senator Katz’s job as senate chair is to make sure the hearing gets conducted in a fair and impartial way to get all the facts out. I have every expectation that that is exactly how the proceedings will play out under Senator Katz’s leadership. Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo)...
