Maine House Republican Jim Campbell Drops Party Affiliation

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Minority Republicans in the Maine House have lost a member. Rep. Jim Campbell of Newfield said Thursday he's withdrawn from the Republican Party and will become the only legislator with no party affiliation. That leaves the House with 95 Democrats, 55 Republicans and one unenrolled or independent member. The Senate also is controlled by Democrats.Campbell said his move was a long time coming. He said he's frustrated with the Republican Party in Maine and nationally for failing to address the health care crisis in a meaningful way.

BALDACCI MAY HAVE FOUND A WAY TO DECENTRALIZE EDUCATION WITHOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS

One of the curious things about the charter school movement - and one that hints of its anti-union subtext - has been the small number of public schools that have been turned into charters within the system. If the system works so well for private corporations that run charters, why not for public schools as well? Maine, which has resisted charter schools may be moving towards this under-used option as this story recounts

Kennebec Journal, ME - The Baldacci administration is drafting legislation to allow schools in Maine that have more autonomy over their budget, curriculum, staffing and scheduling than traditional public schools.

The move to allow so-called innovative schools would stop short of legalizing charter schools, while potentially boosting Maine's standing in a national competition for $4 billion in education innovation money.

Gov. John Baldacci will introduce a bill this winter that provides a way for school boards to open or transform existing schools into innovative schools, according to state education officials.

Administrators in these schools would have increased flexibility to hire the teachers they want and have others reassigned to different district schools. The administrators would also have increased control over budgets, more freedom to design curriculum and flexibility to stray from the traditional, six-hour school day and 175-day academic year.

In exchange, those schools would have to demonstrate to the school boards that authorize them that they are raising student achievement. . . More...

By Matthew Gagnon on Tuesday, December 15, 2009

We have been saying Collins was a no on this bill for a long time now, but we are not beginning to see the Senator herself more or less confirm this.

In today’s Washington Examiner, Collins told Byron York that she believes this bill is simply too flawed for her to support, and her continued activity on the bill is more a matter of trying to improve it as much as possible, even if it won’t ultimately get her support.

Collins:

“I don’t see voting for the current bill that is on the floor, even with the improvements that have been made,” Collins said. “I’m very leery of the impact of nearly $500 billion in Medicare cuts, particularly the cuts in home health care, which are completely counterproductive to the goal of lowering costs.”

More...

Question 1 group eyes lawmakers in next election

By Kevin Miller
BDN Staff

AUGUSTA, Maine — The national group that contributed more than $1.5 million to overturn Maine’s same-sex marriage law now hopes to influence next year’s elections for the State House.

The National Organization for Marriage has indicated in court filings that it plans to make gay marriage an issue in the coming races for governor and legislative seats. The organization would apparently target legislators who voted in support of a same-sex marriage bill that was ultimately repealed by voters.

Officials of the National Organization for Marriage could not be reached for comment Wednesday. But the organization has filed sample political materials in a court case stemming from its hefty financial involvement in the recent same-sex marriage campaign.

In one example of a broadcast ad, the organization accuses a “Candidate X” of “slamming supporters of traditional marriage” during the gay marriage campaign and then receiving donations from the same groups behind the push to legalize same-sex marriage.

“Even after voters rejected same-sex marriage, these backers say they will continue to push the issue,” reads the text of the hypothetical ad. “Call Candidate X and tell him-her to respect the decision of voters. Let him-her know it’s wrong to accept money from special interest groups backing same-sex marriage and that it’s time to stop pushing to redefine marriage in Maine.”

House Speaker Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, said she isn’t overly concerned about the National Organization for Marriage’s potential involvement in the 2010 legislative races. She predicted that some voters will be turned off by the organization’s refusal, to date, to disclose the identity of its donors.

“I don’t think that Maine voters are one-issue voters,” said Pingree, who campaigned to defend Maine’s same-sex marriage law. “Clearly, Maine voters were very, very split on this question of marriage equality.”

Despite a significant financial advantage and considerable momentum in the final days of the campaign, the effort to defend Maine’s same-sex marriage law ultimately lost 47 percent to 53 percent in the Nov. 3 vote.

Pingree said she has no doubt some Republican challengers will bring up Democrats’ vote in support of the same-sex marriage bill during the upcoming campaigns. But she believes Mainers are more interested in issues such as the economy, jobs and energy.

“I’m sure this issue will get heated in some districts,” said Pingree, who is prevented by term limits from running again in the House. “I don’t think it will have a significant impact overall in the House legislative races.”

Maine Republican Party Chairman Charlie Webster also questioned how much influence the National Organization for Marriage or any other out-of-state organization can have on candidate elections in Maine.

Webster said he is not recruiting GOP candidates based on the gay marriage issue. But incumbents’ record of representing the political will of the majority of voters in their district is important in legislative races, he said.

Webster and other GOP leaders are hoping to cash in on any opposition to the recent tax restructuring plan approved by the Democrat-controlled Legislature. Maine voters are slated to decide this June whether to uphold or overturn the new tax law, which reduces the income tax rate for the vast majority of residents while ap-plying the sales tax to more goods and services and increasing the meals and lodging tax.

“Frankly, it will defeat more Democrats than gay marriage will, in my opinion,” Webster said.

The intentions of the National Organization for Marriage to stay involved in Maine politics came to light as part of a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Portland focusing on the substantial financial role that the organization played in defeating same-sex marriage at the polls on Nov. 3.

The organization donated at least $1.6 million to Stand for Marriage Maine, accounting for more than half of the campaign’s contributions as of late October, according to campaign finance reports filed with the state. Total contributions for both sides of the campaign won’t be available until next week. More...

TABOR II initiative debated

(source: BangorDailyNews.com) BREWER, Maine — Representatives from both sides of the citizen’s initiative known as TABOR II debated at a forum Wednesday that highlighted a stark difference of opinion about government’s role in deciding state and municipal budgets.

Steve Bowen of the Maine Heritage Policy Center, a conservative lobbying group that drafted the spending cap initiative, said the latest Taxpayer Bill of Rights proposal is about building prosperity in Maine. Read more...

Should Maine go unicameral?

Rep. Linda Valentino on her blog states "If you are ready for a REAL CHANGE, and ready to achieve a transparent, efficient, and accountable State legislature in Maine -- PLUS SAVE $15 MILLION DOLLARS -- please urge your State Senators and State Reps to vote for LD1424." For more visit: http://maineunicameral.blogspot.com/

An Act to Allow Noncitizens to Vote

The Republican Project is going at it again. This time to protect our Constitution. Visit the website and see how you can help oppose this legislation. We cannot allow this legislation to have a chance, we must stand up to this proposal and ensure it never leaves committee. Visit www.republicanproject.org and submit your letter.

Letters can be addressed to "Honorable Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Legal and Veterans Affairs"

Please include your full address on the letter and send them to cynthia.rosen@republicanprtoject.org!

"Preventative" MaineCare?

I understand that Maine Care covers gastric bypass surgery. No doubt a gastric bypass can be a lifesaver, but way too often only a temporary fix. The weight is often regained, occasionally with extra pounds.

If Maine Care is willing to fund this expensive surgery, why is it almost impossible for a Maine Care recipient to receive funding for an exercise program or healthy living education? It seems to me that funding lifestyle changes would more often lead to a successful weight loss. Also, the one who is getting in shape is acquiring knowledge and skills that will help them keep the weight off, gain self esteem, and hopefully pass on these skills to family members.

Education is what it is all about! Remember the old adage that "if you give a starving person a fish, he/she will eat for a day, but if you teach him/her how to fish, they will never go hungry." Let's teach our citizens how to take care of themselves and fund that education.

Maine Dems favor higher sales tax on mom-and-pops

AUGUSTA, Maine — Democratic leaders in the State House are preparing to debate over tax reform next week. Their plan: shift burden from resident income tax to higher sales tax on mom-and-pops that make-up Maine's struggling tourism industry. Rep. John Piotti, D-Unity, the bill's lead sponsor, wants to increase the meals and lodging taxes from 7 percent to 8.5 percent. collect new sales taxes on amusement park tickets, miniature golf courses, candy purchases, car repairs and more.

While there would result an obvious political bump for the Dems to cut some state income tax, the long-term impact would be detrimental to our way of life. Let's be real, Maine's best chance for any sort of economy over the next 20 years will come from tourism. Our incredible natural resources make Maine the backyard playground of Boston, NY, etc.. Levying over-the-top taxes on visitors (and forcing the mom-and-pops to collect) is sending the wrong message. We need to be attracting more visitors, not pushing them away to other vacation destinations.

Sen. Kevin Raye, a Perry Republican and minority leader in the Senate, sums it up: "...What is the logic of trying to squeeze more tax revenue out of tourists when that industry is widely regarded as critical to Maine’s economic revival?"

Critics also contend that contrary to popular belief, it will be Mainers — not out-of-state tourists — who foot most of the bill for the additional sales taxes.

Here's an idea: Instead of raising more taxes, how about we cut frivolous spending to save money? We could start with MaineCare benefits like Gastric by-pass surgeries (at $25,000 a pop) ...but wait, there's more, much more...
The state's Maine.gov website proudly refers to the
MaineCare Benefits Manual as a "massive document"!

I'm sure we could save several million if we were honest about what Maine could afford. Isn't this better than targeting the one industry in which Maine has the advantage?

Thanks!

Thanks for the invite to join this awesome blog. Look forward to contributing very soon. JT

Maine Eminent Domain v. "Landowner Dale"

As reported in the BDN recently, Landowner Dale Henderson has won a preliminary battle with the state in a dispute involving a stretch of former railroad bed that runs through his property in Hancock and Washington counties.

A judge in Hancock County Superior Court ruled last week that Henderson can keep — at least temporarily — a set of barricades he erected to hinder people from traversing his land.

At issue:

Late last year, the Maine Departments of Transportation and Conservation opened up a lengthy stretch of the multiuse Sunrise Trail, which runs from Calais to Brewer along the old Maine Central Railroad line. Dale Henderson owns large tracts of affected land in the town of Hancock in Hancock County and Steuben in Washington County. He said he has tried repeatedly to work with the state to keep users off what he considers his property. Last month, the landowner took matters into his own hands by creating rock barriers and putting up no-trespassing signs at all the entrances to his property.

We say keep up the good fight Mr. Henderson! Maine has had a strong tradition of respecting and protecting private property rights. Today this tradition is challenged. Thank you Mr. Henderson for using your resources to fight for all Maine landowners - most of us whom cannot afford to fight the ample resources of state Government.

Can it be true?

The last few days brought news that the Blue Hill Memorial Hospital was closing its OB/GYN Department- A Birthing Center.

They were unable to raise enough private funds to keep the doors open. Can you believe this? Only able to raise about $150,000 of a needed $600,000 to keep the doors open for another year, therefore there are now another 15 healthcare professionals losing their jobs in this part of the State.

Now here is the kicker- The reason they needed to raise private funds to cover this $600,000 is because MaineCare hasnt made its MILLIONS of dollars of payments. Can it be true?

Not only is it true, but this isnt the ONLY MAINE hospital that is feeling the pinch. MaineCare has a $65M SHORTFALL and this is a conservative figure- some say it larger...Can this be True!?

It is true! MaineCare has not paid Hundreds of Millions of Dollars to YOUR Maine Hospitals over the last several years!

But dont worry...(sarcastic pause), they are planning to fill the shortfall with Federal Stimulus dollars... Can this be True?

How did this happen? Was it this super great billing system that still doesnt work and cost Mainers millions?

This has to be fixed, but where to start?
And I can think of a many other programs that can be STARTED with Fed Stimulus Dollars instead of FIXING an embarassment.

Where is the accountability? And dont even get me started on AIG Bonuses with Bailout funds.

COME ON MAINE LEGISTLATORS We are better than this! This CANT BE TRUE

Call to Action: How you can reform welfare in Maine!

The Republican Project
P.O. Box 302
Bridgton, Maine 04009

www.republicanproject.org


Welfare Abuse Reform for Maine- UPDATE!

Support pending legislation that will begin to make welfare programs better for the recipient and taxpayer!!

UPDATE 3/16/09

Since we sent out this call to action two weeks ago, we have received over 50 letters that we will submit to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services at the beginning of the public hearings.

Ten people have committed to attending the hearings to provide personal testimony in support of this bill.

Unfortunately, this is NOT enough!!

Our goal is to have over 200 letters for submission, and 50 people or more committed to appearing before the Committee.

This is where the rubber hits the road, fellow Republicans. If we are to enjoy any success in promoting action that we favor and support, we MUST do the same things the opposition does to move their agenda items through the system.

Please, write a letter, and if at all possible commit to appear at the public hearing!

Legislation Highlights:

Welfare Reform in Maine, LD 254.

This bill is designed to reform Maine welfare by:

Establishing a 90-day residency requirement for program eligibility
Provide tax credits for employers who employ welfare recipients for at least 20 hours per week
Reduce the penalties now incurred by recipients when they take a job
Adjust recipient's benefits in a better manner to reflect earned income
Limit lifetime welfare benefits for adults to a maximum of five years

How can you help?

Please write a letter to the Health and Human Services Committee expressing your support for this bill. The letters do not have to be long- just an expression of your views. You can find sample letters on The Republican Project website www.republicanproject.org.

Send your signed letter to The Republican Project, P.O. Box 302, Bridgton, Maine 04009. You can scan and email your letter as well. Members of The Republican Project will hand-deliver your letters to the HHS Committee at the public hearings for this initiative. Letters should be addressed to:
"Honorable Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services" and must include your name and address.

Resolve to attend the public hearings in Augusta. Nothing makes as powerful a statement as a concerned citizen taking time out of their schedule to go to the State House and verbally express their opinions to their legislators

NOTE: The date(s) for the hearing have not been set yet- we will notify everyone once the dates are announced.

Notify The Republican Project of your willingness to attend the public hearings. Once the hearing dates are scheduled and announced, you will be contacted by The Republican Project.

Your letters in support of Welfare Reform for Maine, along with any questions can be sent to Ryan McCabe (ryan.mccabe@republicanproject.org) who is coordinating this effort for The Republican Project.

Own the Elephant!

The Republican Project has recently procured some items featuring our logo that we will send to supporters based upon the contribution amounts below:

$25- The Republican Project 4x6 Oval Vinyl Sticker
$50- The Republican Project Button and Sticker
$75- The Republican Project Khaki Ball Cap (shown right)
Over $75- All of the above

Please consider making your contribution to support The Republican Project today. Thank you!

Additional savings possible

General Fund: 3901 Health Insurance
FY 10: $65,738,245
FY 11 $69,137,563

Highway Fund: 3901 Health Insurance
FY 10: $26,230,028
FY 11 $27,540,437

These are the totals in the proposed state budget for the cost to taxpayers to provide health insurance to state employees over the next biennenium. That's right, nearly $92M in FY 10 and over $96.5M in FY 11. The Governor's budget proposes to achieve a whooping total of less than $500,000 savings from these lines in each year. Maine taxpayers can not afford to continue to fund these benefits at this level. In fact, more and more taxpayers are finding themselves going without health insurance due to rising costs of premiums.

It is time to look harder at these lines and find additional savings by reducing the benefit package and/or requiring state employees* to pay a portion of the premium costs.

*state employees = all state employees, including Legislators.

"Obama Refi"

I think I express the frustration of millions of responsible home-owners. Try getting in on the Obama refi plan...good luck. One qualifier is to be several months LATE on your mortgage payment... And if you have a responsible payment history?...sorry, too bad so sad.

The end-game of the Pelosi "bailout" should come as no surprise however. After all the POINT of liberalism/neo-communism is "pay based on ability to pay / take based on need" Or put another way: Reward the lazy and charge it to the working-class. "HOPE" you got what you voted for!