Yesterday afternoon (1/13/20), the U.S. Treasury released the last “Monthly Revenue Statement” for 2019. It shows that the most recent calendar year saw a 5.01% increase in revenues and the largest revenue year in the history of the U.S. government. This is significant because this is the first period since the Federal tax cuts took … Continue reading Tax Cuts Work, Again

During the special session of the legislature in August 2019, Republicans voted against a bond proposal to fund the expansion of broadband Internet access. They did so, not because they oppose the idea of expanding broadband, but because they believe that major government investments must be made in ways that are most effective. Currently, Maine’s … Continue reading On Broadband: First, a Plan

Sen. Dana Dow and Sen. Jeff Timberlake On December 20, 2019, Senate President Jackson and House Speaker Gideon sent a letter to Bath Iron Works, Maine’s fourth largest employer, threatening to “reconsider” a tax credit worth tens of millions of dollars annually because they claimed that BIW had not hired enough local workers and paid … Continue reading Statement from Senate Republican Leaders on Senator Jackson’s Threat to BIW

Sen. Marianne Moore - Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Republican Radio Address – 1/3/19 As we begin a new year and a new legislative session, it is time to bring about a New Year’s resolution to the issues of caring for our most vulnerable friends, family and neighbors. Hello, I am Marianne Moore, State Senator … Continue reading Maine Senate Republican Radio Address – 1/3/20

Senate Republican Leader Dana Dow: “Despite the six month long delay, we are very glad to hear that Governor Mills has agreed to allow the bill that adds needed funding to nursing homes to become law. The bill, passed unanimously by both houses of the legislature last June, only allocates $500,000 per year to this … Continue reading Response to Governor Mills' Announcement on LD 1758 – the Nursing Home bill

If Maine is to set an example on climate change, we're off to a bad start. Hello. I am David Woodsome, state senator from District 33. Sen. David Woodsome I am a Republican who sponsored the bill that created Governor Mills’ Maine Climate Group, and there was a particular reason why I did so. I … Continue reading Maine Senate Republicans Radio Address

(Augusta, Me.) – Senate Republicans are calling on Democrats and Governor Mills to commit today to fully fund Maine’s nursing homes when the Legislature returns in January. This would complete the efforts from last session surrounding LD 1758. Recently, DHHS Commissioner Lambrew testified before the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee that the state’s share of the cost … Continue reading Maine Senate Republicans Call for Agreement to Fund Nursing Homes

While most discussions of the two-year state budget center around the General Fund, this is just one of 35 funds from which state government spends money. Below is budgetary information taken directly from the fiscal notes of the chaptered budget laws in 2017 and 2019 and the same laws for transportation spending in 2017 and … Continue reading State Spending is Up $2.7 Billion