Post Emergency Order Review Is Needed Most people have heard that Governor Mills will allow her emergency order to expire after another two-week extension. The State of Civil Emergency has been in place for the last 15 months. With that welcome news, the legislature should begin the process of reviewing the State’s response to COVID-19 and evaluate what worked and what did not. This is Representative Will Tuell of East Machias with… Read More

May 28, 2021 – Weekly Republican Radio Address – Memorial Day Tribute In facing our nation’s greatest threats, heroic men and women have answered the call to service. This weekend, Mainers will take part in remembering the service and sacrifice of our servicemen and women who unfortunately did not make it home.  Serving one’s country is among the most valiant of pursuits, and we are grateful for those who fell in the… Read More

Seasonal campers are double or triple taxed under current law RENTED AUGUSTA CIVIC CENTER – House Democrats yesterday overwhelming rejected a proposal to provide tax relief to workers and others residing in seasonal campers. LD 611 – An Act To Exempt Long-Term Lodging from the 9 Percent Sales Tax on Lodging, Sponsored Rep. Shelley Rudnicki (R-Fairfield), proposed eliminating one of the taxes on individuals residing continuously in a tent or trailer space,… Read More

Buyback drug proposal is out of touch with the rest of the country RENTED AUGUSTA CIVIC CENTER – House Democrats today supported a drug buyback proposal (LD 8 – An Act to Support Collection and Proper Disposal of Unwanted Drugs) that is out of touch with the rest of the country and will ultimately make prescription drugs more costly without being more effective. A Republican amendment designed to protect consumers and ensure… Read More

All Mainers sacrificed, all should benefit from the billions flowing to Maine STATE HOUSE – Today, House and Senate Republicans held a formal press conference to urge the Mills Administration and majority democrats to use one-time monies to help all Maine citizens recover from the pandemic and to address chronically underfunded needs. Recently revised revenue forecasts project that Maine will have an additional $940 million available over the next three years. That does not include $14 billion in federal aid Maine has… Read More

Recently revised revenue forecasts mean that Maine will have an additional $940 million available over the next three years. That does not include $14 billion in federal aid Maine has received.  Republicans are concerned that money will not go toward supporting those who worked during the pandemic or toward chronically underfunded state priorities. It also defies logic that the Governor is proposing to borrow an additional $140 million on top of that… Read More

Follow the Science; Follow the New Federal CDC Guidance Mainers have sacrificed a lot and remain committed to a safe reopening; Governor Mills should do the same   STATE HOUSE/REMOTELY – House Republicans today called upon Governor Mills to fully conform to yesterday’s guidance from the Biden Administration and the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC). “For over a year, the Mills administration and Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah, have… Read More

STATE HOUSE/REMOTELY – Maine House Republicans received a budget briefing today from the Governor’s Chief of Staff and Finance Commissioner. They were told by the Governor’s Office that further details and printed documentation should be available by Friday. Preliminary response to the Governor’s Press Release: “While we are pleased that the Governor has moved off of her previous opposition to increased revenue sharing and is now proposing some tax relief for low-income… Read More

STATE HOUSE/REMOTELY – Legislative Republicans have released a detailed list of priorities that should be included in a Supplemental Budget and subsequent funding bills. With hundreds of millions in additional tax revenue projected and more than a billion dollars coming from the Federal government, Legislative Republicans are now able to present an outline of their priorities for utilizing one-time money and other resources to supplement the biennial budget passed last month. Top… Read More

This past week, Democrats once again demonstrated why they are out of touch with the needs of working families, small businesses, people with pre-existing conditions, and those who are covered through the private and small group insurance markets.   This is Rep. Josh Morris, of Turner, with the Weekly Republican Radio Address. This week, the legislature reconvened in special session and met in person for only the fifth time this year. It… Read More