Rep. Heidi Sampson of Alfred received the Freedom and Opportunity Award from the Maine Heritage Policy Center last week. Rep. Sampson received the award after completing her first term in the Maine House of Representatives where she served on the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. “Rep. Heidi Sampson has demonstrated her commitment to empowering families in Maine so that every child can learn the skills needed to thrive in the global, 21st century economy…. Read More

Assistant House Republican Leader Rep. Ellie Espling of New Gloucester has received the “President’s Award for Legislative Service” from the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. The award comes after Rep. Espling’s tireless efforts to reform Maine’s referendum process, specifically a bill she sponsored that would allow residents of Maine’s Second Congressional to have their voices heard. During the last legislative session, Rep. Espling sponsored LD 31 “RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution… Read More

Rep. Paula G. Sutton of Warren will formally request that the House Ethics Committee convene immediately to investigate public allegations made against Democratic Rep. Dillon Bates of Westbrook. Late last week, media reports began circulating featuring unsubstantiated allegations against Rep. Bates. After admitting she knew of the allegations months ago and failed to act on them, and lacking any new evidence, House Speaker Sara Gideon asked Rep. Bates to resign his seat… Read More

Proficiency Based Diplomas are likely to become a thing of the past in school districts all across Maine after LD 1666 was signed into law today. LD 1666 removes the mandate on Maine school districts that required them to issue proficiency based diplomas. Removing this mandate puts local school boards, teachers and parents back in the driver’s seat when it comes to how students all across Maine learn at our public schools…. Read More

Once again, the Maine House convened for nearly 12 hours yesterday without being allowed to vote on LD 1655, a bill to conform Maine’s tax code to the changes made at the federal level which would provide roughly $40 million in tax relief for Maine families and businesses. The Speaker of the House has full discretion and final say when it comes to what bills are brought forward for a vote. She has repeatedly… Read More

AUGUSTA – Republican state representatives and state senators from York County on Tuesday sent an open letter of support to Kittery Trading Post president Kevin Adams in response to Democratic lawmakers’ threats to boycott and protest the beloved sporting goods store. “As we celebrate Independence Day this year, we cherish especially our constitutional right to bear arms, which is under attack across our great nation,” said Rep. Heidi Sampson (R-Alfred).  “These Democratic… Read More

With critically important issues like tax conformity and a transportation bond still left unresolved, House Republicans are not overly concerned with how politicians will finance their campaigns. This once again puts  House Republicans at odds with other legislators in Augusta who have chosen clean elections funding as their top priority. This afternoon in the House, LD 1655, a tax conformity bill that would provide tax relief to the Maine people and Maine businesses… Read More

After a unanimous agreement was reached this week by the members of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee on a package to address the needs of the people of Maine, House Republican leaders have polled the caucus with regard to returning for a special session. In response to the poll, a sufficient number of House Republicans have agreed to return to the state house next week for a special session. Below is… Read More

This Election Day, polling locations across the state are being inundated with candidates for various political offices collecting $5 checks for “clean elections” at their local polling locations. In some cases, candidates have set up tables just a few feet away from the polls with large signs simply asking: “Do You Want To Fund Clean Elections?” without informing the voters that, as the candidate, they are the beneficiary of the money they’re… Read More

Advocate’s email outlines House Democrat’s stall tactics and obstructionism The Maine Legislature will be back in session tomorrow morning to take up a number of gubernatorial vetoes, but according to an email sent by substance abuse advocate Malory Shaughnessy to other state house advocates and lobbyists, Speaker of the House Sara Gideon is urging advocates not to work with House Republicans to solve many of the unresolved issues remaining before the legislature…. Read More