Hello, this is State Representative Kathleen Dillingham from Oxford with the Republican Weekly Radio Address.  Much has happened since I last delivered one of our radio addresses where I reminded Mainers that we are in this together.  Maine’s Chief Executive was able to act quickly to address the pandemic and House Republicans supported the steps taken in the first few weeks by our Governor and President when our state and nation was… Read More

July 8, 2020 President Troy Jackson 3 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 Speaker Sara Gideon 2 State House Station August, ME 04333 Dear President Jackson and Speaker Gideon, Recently you issued instructions to committees to begin work on bills still before them in anticipation of the Legislature convening for a Special Session.  This was done without agreement on the scope of such a session. Legislative Republicans have repeatedly asked for the… Read More

Under 50 legislative Republicans met on the Statehouse stairs this week to call upon the Governor and Democrat leaders to allow the Legislature to meet, in session, to focus only on COVID-19 matters. Republicans want a narrowly defined, limited agenda, focused only on addressing COVID-19.That includes:Passing legislation to amend the Governor’s emergency powers, ensuring that both branches of government are involved in decision-making going forward.Making sure the opinions and expertise of all… Read More

Emergency powers in the Maine statute expressly delegate the authority to “Control the ingress and egress of persons and occupancy of premises within the State pursuant to the movement of persons within the State.” This is Representative Kathy Javner from Chester and that is the language cited in the Governor’s most recent Executive Order, in which she attempts to restrict visitors to the state of Maine.The new plan entitled “Keep Maine Healthy,”… Read More

Legislators stunned after Governor prevents her own Labor Commissioner from appearing at meeting to discuss failed unemployment systemSTATEHOUSE – Legislators of both parties expressed shock and dismay over Governor Mills’ decision to withhold Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman from a meeting of the Labor Committee today to discuss problems with Maine’s unemployment system. That system continues to affect tens of thousands of people, many of whom have yet to receive benefits 11 weeks… Read More

Hello, this is State Representative Matt Harrington of Sanford with the Weekly Republican Radio Address. Time is running out. Time is running out for the segment of our population that has no job, no income, no savings and desperate family situations. Time is running out for a Maine economy that relies on a summer tourist season to tide many over during the winter months. Time is running out for small businesses and… Read More

Legislation would amend decades old statute REMOTELY/FROM HOME – House Republican Leader Kathleen Dillingham (R-Oxford) has submitted legislation seeking to change a decades old law, last amended in 2011, granting the Executive broad emergency powers and proposes legislative approval of emergency order extensions. Consideration of the proposed legislation would require the legislature to reconvene. Thus far, the Governor and Presiding Officers have resisted calls to return to Augusta to consider any pieces… Read More

Hello, this is State Representative Abbie Griffin of Levant with the Weekly Republican Radio Address.There has been some government movement since our last address two weeks ago.  At that time, we were still anticipating the COVID-19 worst case scenario.For over 60 of Maine’s 1.3 million people, that happened. Collectively, we mourn their passing and pray for their families and loved ones.Mainers have risen to the occasion to limit the number of fatalities… Read More

Legislative Republicans issued a letter, calling on Speaker Gideon and President Jackson to reconvene the Legislature for the sole purpose of removing Governor Mills’s Civil Emergency powers. May 2, 2020 President Troy Jackson3 State House StationAugusta, ME 04333Speaker Sara Gideon2 State House StationAugusta, ME 04333 Dear President Jackson and Speaker Gideon, We write to ask that you call the Legislature back in to session under Maine Constitution Article IV Part III Section… Read More

Governor’s “solution” worse than the problem Like most Mainers, I deferred to the scientists and health experts when the coronavirus arrived in the United States and to a lesser extent, Maine. My fellow legislators acted quickly on COVID-19 related legislation, tabled other items, and went home to shelter in place and practice social distancing. Even two weeks ago, I believed that continuing the stay at home order made sense. The situation has… Read More