By Sen. Harold “Trey” Stewart III

Good evening. I’m Senator Trey Stewart from Aroostook County, and I’m honored to serve as the Republican Leader in the Maine Senate.

Maine isn’t complicated. We believe in right and wrong. You work hard. You tell the truth. And you take responsibility — especially if you’re in charge.  Tonight, we have to be honest: That’s no longer the case.

After nearly eight years of one-party control, Maine finds itself dealing with fraud, deception and decay. Taxes are rising. Fees are piling up. Families are paying more for everyday life while government keeps asking for more – even now forcing us to pay new taxes on things like streaming services.

At the same time, our education system has fallen from where it once stood near the top nationally to rankings that should concern every parent in this state. And fraud that was once isolated has become widespread — accepted, explained away and too often ignored. This did not happen by accident.

We got here for one reason and one reason only: failed leadership.

A failure to protect taxpayers.
A failure to protect our kids.
And a failure to protect basic accountability and public trust.

The Governor and I agree on one thing: Maine people are struggling. Where we disagree is on why – and what comes next. Republicans believe Mainers aren’t struggling because government is too small or taxes are too low. They’re struggling because government lost sight of its role and its responsibility.

That’s why legislative Republicans are fighting for real, common-sense tax relief. No tax on tips. No tax on overtime. A higher standard deduction so families can keep more of what they earn. These reforms reward work, respect effort and give people breathing room again.

Yet we’re told the state can’t afford this while there never seems to be a shortage of money for new programs, new bureaucracies and new government initiatives. There is always money to grow government – but never enough to give relief to the people paying the bills. That’s not a budget problem. That’s a priorities problem.

We also hear a lot about increased state spending on education and revenue sharing with towns – programs that were meant to lower property taxes. Yet Maine still ranks among the highest property tax states in the nation while education outcomes continue to slide.

Money isn’t the problem. Leadership is. The same is true with MaineCare. As serious allegations of fraud continue to surface, Republicans believe accountability is not optional.

Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar taken from a child, a senior or a person with disabilities who truly depends upon that program. Protecting taxpayers and protecting the vulnerable go hand in hand. But here’s the most important point tonight: This can change.

Maine has faced hard moments before – and we’ve met them with responsibility and resolve. More than a century ago, Maine leader Joshua Chamberlain reminded us of what real leadership looks like when he said, “The power of ideas is in the example they set.”

Leadership matters because examples matter. And Maine deserves better examples from those in charge. We can choose a different path – one that restores trust, rewards work, protects the vulnerable and lives within its means. Republicans are ready to lead with clarity, accountability and common sense.

Maine’s best days are not behind us. But getting back there requires leadership willing to tell the truth – and strong enough to act on it.

Again, I’m Senator Trey Stewart of Aroostook County and I thank you for joining me tonight. God bless our great state and our great nation.

Senator Harold “Trey” Stewart III represents District 2, which includes communities in Aroostook and Penobscot counties. He is the Senate Republican Leader and a member of the Legislative Council.