by James Cyr | Sep 29, 2015 | Uncategorized
The Bangor Daily News recently interviewed the Senate President at his business, Mt. Waldo Plastics. In addition to speaking about his rapidly growing shovel business, he also reflected on the previous legislative session. Read the full article here....
by James Cyr | Aug 7, 2015 | Uncategorized
August 7, 2015 Paul R. LePage, Governor State of Maine 1 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 Dear Governor LePage: Thank you for your letter outlining your concerns about Maine’s drug crisis and the explosion in overdoses from heroin and other opiates. We cannot simply sit back and watch this tragedy unfold. Lives are being lost and families are suffering. This is not an issue we can leave up to individual towns and cities to tackle. Tragedy is striking in municipalities all over the state, regardless of population, location, or affluence. Maine needs a comprehensive, statewide effort that includes law enforcement efforts and effective treatment. It is not acceptable to ignore this growing epidemic and it must be addressed. Convening a summit to further study this issue is an excellent step forward, and I appreciate your work to bring people together for this purpose. Assembling experts and advocates from all sectors of society is key to understanding the scope of the problem and the most effective solutions for combatting it. It would certainly be beneficial for the Maine Senate to be involved in the summit and to hear directly from the experts about what policy initiatives may be best suited for battling the drug epidemic. As details of the summit come together I would encourage you to invite participation from Senate members, especially those who serve on committees that are dealing with the effects of these drugs. I have always been and remain committed to advocating for additional state resources to be directed toward fighting the drug scourge. In standing with you and Commissioner...
by James Cyr | Aug 6, 2015 | Uncategorized
“Today, Maine’s highest court confirmed that the Governor’s inaction on these 65 bills resulted in them becoming law. While I am disappointed that some of these measures are now law, I am pleased that we have a court opinion which reaffirms the longstanding, 195-year old practice of dealing with vetoes that is outlined in the Constitution. We should now move past this dispute and use this as an o…pportunity to change the tone in Augusta. The executive and legislative branches must work together. I encourage the Administration to reset their relationship with the Legislature to foster an environment of engagement and collaboration. Effective leadership requires instilling confidence both in our colleagues in Augusta and constituents back home. When that confidence is shaken we should not be surprised when we are unable to accomplish our goals. By working together we can all accomplish great things for the people of...
by James Cyr | Jul 24, 2015 | Uncategorized
Fellow Republican Legislators, As you are most likely aware by now, the Maine Legislature has secured legal counsel in the upcoming court case between the Governor and the Legislature over the fate of 65 disputed bills that were passed by the Legislature at the end of June. Next week, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court will hear oral arguments in the case, and I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you the reasoning for hiring Timothy Woodcock to represent the Legislature in this matter. First and foremost, as Senate President, I am responsible for defending the actions and maintaining the integrity of the Maine Senate. Following our sine die adjournment of the First Regular Session, the administration submitted to the court a request for a solemn occasion to have the court weigh in on the status of the bills in question. The court has agreed to take up the matter expeditiously and requested the Legislature select counsel to submit written briefs and appear before the court for oral arguments. Following that request I contacted Attorney Timothy Woodcock to represent the Maine Senate in the matter. Many of you may know Tim Woodcock; he has been active in our party for years. Tim is an accomplished attorney who has worked for Senator Bill Cohen, served as Mayor of Bangor, and represented Maine Republicans numerous times in his private practice. In 2002 Tim ran for US Congress and lost the Republican nomination in a close primary. After Tim was hired to represent the Senate, I was approached by House Speaker Mark Eves who inquired about sharing legal counsel. Instead...
by James Cyr | Jul 21, 2015 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) announced today that attorney Timothy Woodcock will represent the Maine Legislature as the state’s Supreme Court takes up the case of 65 bills that are the subject of a dispute between the Governor’s office and the Legislature. Yesterday, the Supreme Court announced it will expedite the case and hear oral arguments on July 31, 2015 and accept legal briefs that are due on Friday of this week. It will be up to the court to decide whether 65 bills that were not acted on by the governor within 10 days of their passage are now law or, as the governor maintains, are active bills that have been vetoed and now must be addressed by the Maine Legislature. According to Senate President Thibodeau, House Speaker Mark Eves approached him about joining the legal counsel that had already been secured by the Senate to represent both chambers in order to save taxpayer money. “On advice of legal counsel I moved forward with this cost-saving approach. Timothy Woodcock has a long, distinguished record as an attorney and public servant.” The Senate’s decision not to take up the after deadline vetoes submitted by the governor is consistent with the Maine Constitution and historical precedent. “As Senate President, it is my responsibility to defend the actions and protect the integrity of the Maine Senate. “Unfortunately many senators were looking forward to the opportunity to sustain some of the governor’s anticipated vetoes.” # #...
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....
