Governor LePage Reminds Mainers Why an Income Tax Cut Matters

AUGUSTA – As Legislators continue budget negotiations behind closed doors during the final days of the legislative session, Governor Paul R. LePage is reminding Mainers the importance of having some form of an income tax cut.

“An income tax cut helps create jobs as we continue to strengthen our economy,” said Governor LePage. “It sends a message to job creators that Maine is serious about making reforms to grow our economy. I am not a politician. I am a businessman who has spent the majority of my career turning companies around and growing them. Government policy can either help or hinder job creation. We must be doing everything we can to help. The entire reason I ran for Governor was to improve the lives of the Maine people.”

The Governor is also reminding Mainers that in his first year of office, he led an effort to implement the largest tax cut in Maine’s history. The tax cut encouraged job creation and assisted low-income Mainers by effectively eliminating their State income tax.

Today’s unemployment rate is at 4.7 percent, compared to 8 percent in 2011. Additionally, Maine there are 25,000 more people working today than five years ago and 10,000 employment opportunities on the Maine Job Bank.

Hospital Expands Services with Transesophageal Echocardiography

Imaging service finds problems with heart’s structure and function

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Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) in partnership with Maine Medical Partners MaineHealth Cardiology is providing a new diagnostic service for patients called transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). TEE uses high-frequency sound waves to make detailed pictures of the heart and the arteries that lead to and from it. A TEE is performed when a standard echocardiogram isn’t clear enough to make a diagnosis.

A doctor may recommend a TEE for several reasons such as: finding a possible reason for a stroke; trying to find a small hole between the upper chambers of the heart; making sure there are no blood clots in the heart; looking for infections in the heart; and making sure that the wall of the aorta is not damaged.

At Franklin Memorial Hospital, cardiologist Dr. Lesley West performs TEE in the Intensive Care Unit for those patients who are already in the hospital for treatment, and in the Day Surgery Unit as an outpatient procedure. The procedure involves placing a long tube in the patient’s esophagus. It is performed under sedation and takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

“We are pleased to add this new specialty service for the convenience of our patients,” said Rebecca Arsenault, FMH president/CEO. “Previously the 50 or so individuals needing this service each year traveled to Augusta or Lewiston for the procedure.”

Dr. West received her medical degree with cum laude honors at Georgetown University School of Medicine and later completed her residency in internal medicine and a three-year cardiology fellowship at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.

For additional information contact Kim Turner, FMH imaging director, at 779-2377.

Governor to Visit Lisbon for Next Town Hall

Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage announced he will hold his next town hall meeting on Tuesday, June 2 in Lisbon, where he will answer questions about his comprehensive tax reform and relief plan.

The Open Door Baptist Church will host the town hall from 6 to 7 p.m. on June 2. The meeting is open to the public and will be held in the auditorium at 26 Gartley St., Lisbon.

The town hall meeting will focus on the LePage Tax Cut Plan, which is a bold initiative to make Maine a more attractive place for young families, retirees, veterans and job creators.

Most recently, Governor LePage asked Legislative leadership for bipartisan support for his bill to amend the Maine Constitution to eliminate the State income tax. Only Republican leaders stepped up to endorse it. Democrat leaders are opposed to eliminating the income tax.

Media Advisory: Governor LePage to Hold News Conference

May 29, 2015

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 29, 2015
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

Governor Paul R. LePage will hold a news conference today to discuss several issues, including tax reform and the biennial budget, which the 127th Maine Legislature currently is considering.

When: 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 29, 2015

Where: Blaine House, Augusta

Healthy Community Coalition Announces Mobile Health Unit June Schedule

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The Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County (HCC) has announced its June schedule for Mobile Health Unit outreach events. Staff will be offering services such as blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose checks, cancer prevention, nutrition, physical activity and tobacco information, one-on-one health counseling and information, and assistance with referrals to the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program and other health assistance programs.

Additional services include colon cancer screening kits for those who qualify and body composition analysis. The test kits, a less invasive way to screen for colon cancer, can be completed in the privacy of one’s own home. Body composition analysis will allow participants to see total weight and how many pounds of that weight are made up of muscle, fat, and water. It can track changes in muscle and fat tissue, and physical fitness improvements when weight may not change.

The Mobile Health Unit will be offering health screenings at Fairbanks Food Bank on June 1 from noon-2 p.m.; Rangeley Food Bank on June 2 from 10 a.m.-noon; Rangeley IGA on June 2 from 12:30 – 3 p.m.; Farmington Save-A-Lot on June 3 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Wilton Food Bank on Thursday, June 4 from 9 a.m.-noon; Wilton Food City on Thursday, June 4 from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.; Turner Plaza on Friday, June 5 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sandy River Farm Supply on Monday, June 8 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Livermore Falls Food City on Tuesday, June 9 from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; Livermore Falls Food Bank on Tuesday, June 9 from 2-4 p.m.; East Dixfield Fire Department Blood Drive on Saturday, June 13 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Salem Food Bank on Tuesday, June 16 from 1-4 p.m.; Good Shepherd Food Bank in Phillips on Wednesday, June 17 from 9-11 a.m.; Edmund’s Market in Phillips on Wednesday, June 17 from noon-3 p.m.; Wilton Senior’s Expo at Wilton Fire Station on Thursday, June 18 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Stratton Fun Days on Friday, June 26 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; and Wilton Lion’s Club Yard Sale on Route 2 & 4 on Saturday, June 27 from 7 a.m.-noon.

All services are provided free. Donations are accepted. For more information please contact Janis Walker at 779-2750 or jwalker@fchn.org.

Governor, Republican Leaders Pledge that Tax Reform will be Included in Budget

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage, Senate President Michael Thibodeau and House Minority Leader Ken Fredette issued a joint statement today about the need for real tax reform in the biennial budget now under consideration.

“We all firmly believe the next budget must include meaningful income tax cuts that allow Mainers to keep more of the money they have

Annual Healthcare Golf Classic Taking Place July 12–13

Openings remain for teams and sponsorship opportunities

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Franklin Community Health Network’s (FCHN) annual Healthcare Golf Classic will be a two-day, two-tournament event at the Sugarloaf Golf Club that will take place on July 12–13. The beneficiaries will be the Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County and the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center. Both provide health services to people in need. 

Monday’s tournament is a four-person scramble and anyone is welcome to participate as part of a team or as an individual (individuals who register will be assigned to teams needing members). “This tournament has been recognized by past participants as one of the most enjoyable golfing events in Maine,” said Janis Walker, tournament chair.

The Healthcare Golf Classic festivities will begin with a late morning best ball tournament and reception on Sunday for the tournament’s major sponsors. On Monday, there will be a continental breakfast for all players, followed by 18 holes of tournament play, a luncheon, and awards ceremony. Both men’s and women’s first place and runner-up low gross and net scores will be awarded.

“There are still an assortment of sponsorship opportunities for local businesses that wish to participate including team sponsors, breakfast and award sponsors, and hole sponsors,” added Walker.

For additional information, contact Janis Walker at 779-2750.

Health Career Scholarship Awards Announced

Six $600 scholarships awarded

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The Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) Auxiliary Scholarship Committee has announced the six recipients of the West Central Maine Health Careers Scholarship Program. The scholarships are presented to students residing in the Franklin Memorial Hospital service area who are pursuing careers in the health care field.

Each of the following will be awarded a $600 scholarship from the Auxiliary upon successful completion of their first or next semester. They include:

·         Jennifer Nichols of Jay who attends Liberty University for nursing

·         Molly Geisser of Industry who attends University of Maine Augusta for nursing

·         Sydney Caldwell of Farmington who will attend Kennebec Valley Community College for nursing

·         Althea Mae Drummond of Livermore Falls who attends the Husson University for nursing

·         Taylor Hargreaves of Lexington Township who will attend University of Southern Maine for nursing

·         Rachelle Bator of Farmington who will attend UMass Dartmouth for nursing

Governor LePage Designates $10,000 to Easter Seals of Maine’s Military and Veterans Services Program

Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, (207) 287-2531

Windham American Legion receives $1,000 to honor Vietnam War Veterans

AUGUSTA – In an effort to help meet the physical and mental health needs Maine veterans and their families, Governor Paul R. LePage has designated $10,000 from the Governor’s Contingency Fund to support Easter Seals of Maine’s Military and Veterans Services program.

Thousands of injured military service members are returning home with hopes of successfully transitioning to civilian life. The Military and Veterans Services program helps to provide military members returning from conflict with a smooth transition.

“This program is an excellent example of Mainers working together to fill unmet needs in their communities,” said Governor LePage. “The servicemen and women who have dedicated themselves to defending our freedom overseas face a unique set of challenges when returning home to civilian life. They deserve our full support in this time of transition, and the resources provided by Easter Seals of Maine are essential to long-term success for many of these individuals.”

Gail Wilkerson, executive director of Easter Seals of Maine, says while there are many programs in Maine to assist military servicemen and women, gaps continue to remain in services and resources available to our veterans, including housing, education, family counseling and financial assistance.

“We are thankful for the Governor’s designation of funding, which will continue to offer military and veterans systems of care with viable options to support and augment current reintegration efforts,” said Wilkerson. “Many communities are not equipped to respond appropriately to their unique need, nor are they aware of how to best work with military and veterans systems in the process. This funding will help us serve our veterans to ensure their dignity, health and overall well-being,” she added.

Governor LePage also donated $1,000 from the Contingency Fund to assist the American Legion Post 148 of Windham. The money will be used to help pay for the town’s Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.

“As Americans, we have a responsibility to support and thank our past and present military service members,” said the Governor. “These events are essential to ensuring that we remember the sacrifices of our Vietnam War Veterans.”

About Easter Seals Maine Easter Seals provides exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities