Politicians are good at one thing. Spinning. And it’s enough to make you dizzy.

Hello. This is Governor Paul LePage.

As your Governor I have promised Maine people to make the tough decisions when necessary that typical politicians refuse to make. We make these decisions based on one thing: what is the best interest of all Mainers.

There’s been a lot of talk lately by liberal politicians saying I have vetoed the most bills ever in Maine history. I don’t know because I’m not counting. What I do know, though, is that for every veto, there is a good reason.

For example, recently, Liberals voted to kill my common sense welfare reform bill. Instead, they proposed a study to look at the problem. They have been looking at the problem for 40 years, it’s time for action.

Folks, my welfare reform bill would ban the use of Maine EBT cards out of state. The evidence proves that taxpayer-funded EBT cards are being used in all 50 states, including at places like Disney world and in Hawaii.

These benefits are supposed to be used on basic necessities and children NOT resorts and vacationing. Don’t get me wrong, anyone who wants to go on vacation ought to be able to take one, but not on the taxpayer’s dime!

If that resolve, which is just a fancy word for a study, is put on my desk I will veto it. We need to stop kicking the problem to the next legislature.

You know what happens to studies? Nothing. It’s an easy way for lawmakers to say they did something without really doing anything in an election year.

Another study I vetoed mandated the Department of Health and Human Services to identify ways to protect children from abuse and neglect. Now, liberals say I don’t care about abused children. It’s outrageous.

In my veto message I clearly explained DHHS is already working on this and they are doing so without an election year mandate from lawmakers. Liberal politicians are using this legislation against me knowing it’s a useless bill, which is completely redundant. I call it Washington-style politics and just plain wrong.

I make no qualms about it. I have vetoed many bills. But liberal politicians can spin all they want. The truth is they’re bound to fall down at some point. Maine people want action, not election year rhetoric.

Thank you for listening.

Liberals Kill Bill to Provide Mainers with Affordable Heating Options  

Democrats would rather use timber harvest money to build trails

AUGUSTA – After one of Maine’s most bitter cold winters, liberal legislators killed a Governor’s bill aimed at lowering heating costs for Mainers.

“Many Maine households are struggling to pay their heating bills this winter,” said Governor LePage. “We should be working together to help Mainers invest in better heating options, such as wood pellets, natural gas, highly efficient oil systems or heat pumps. Once again, liberal politicians are not looking out for the best interests of Mainers. We can both sustainably harvest our public lands and provide resources to help Mainers affordably heat their homes. Instead, Democrats who opposed my bill said they would rather see the timber revenue used on trails and boundary lines in Maine’s public forests. That is the wrong priority for Mainers trying to stay warm.”

Governor Paul R. LePage introduced LD 1838, “An Act To Expand Affordable Heating Investments with Maine's Public Resources,” with hopes of using extra revenue from an increased timber harvest on State land to help Mainers install alternative heating systems in their homes.

Senator Edward Youngblood sponsored the emergency legislation, which would use the increased revenue of an expanded timber harvest to help Mainers install or upgrade systems that would reduce the cost of heating their homes. The bill was shot down by liberal politicians in the Maine Senate late Thursday, then it was defeated Friday in the Maine House of Representatives.

Background: On March 1, 2014 the Bureau of Public Lands presented the Fiscal Year 2013 to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry and outlined the long-term plan to increase the harvest cut on public lands. The Bureau found it could increase the number of cords harvested from the current annual allowable cut (AAC) of 114,500 cords per year to 180,000 cords per year.

In addition, the harvest has been increasing in recent years. The average harvest from 2002-13 was roughly 100,000 cords per year. As a result, the increase of harvesting, in combination with higher prices, has resulted in increased revenue for the Bureau. The Bureau determined that a transfer of $500,000 from the Public Reserved Lands Management Fund would be possible now, and then a transfer of roughly $1 million could be made on an annual basis.  

The Governor’s Office proposed that the increase of revenue be provided to assist Mainers upgrade their heating systems. The transfer of $500,000 a year would be done in FY2013, another $500,000 would be done in 2015, and then $1 million could be transferred in future fiscal years.

Governor LePage Donates $30,000 in Contingency Funds for Renovation of Parish House

Non-profit fto renovate home for adults with special needs 

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage has donated $30,000 from his contingency funds to support the renovation of a home for young adults with disabilities. Local Solutions, a Bar Harbor-based non-profit, now owns the home and is leading a fundraising campaign in order to refurbish the building. The Parish House will soon be home to six local young adults.

“It’s my pleasure to give to a community-based organization that is taking action to empower adults with special needs in the local area,” said Governor LePage. “I’m grateful for the Local Solutions board members and their dedication to helping adults get the support they need after graduation from high school, a time at which many or all children’s services end.”

The Parish House will provide services to guide their residents toward opportunities for employment and for social engagement through various activities and hobbies.

“We are thrilled to receive the Governor's endorsement with his generous donation to Local Solutions,” said Dee Karnofsky and Lee Haynes, founders of Local Solutions. “This will be a great help in furthering our efforts to create housing and support for adults with special needs in their own community where friends and family surround them.”

Community Housing of Maine (C.H.O.M.), a Portland-based non-profit that completes projects around the state, is partnering with Local Solutions to renovate the Parish House.

“The Parish House will provide a safe environment in which these adults will enjoy independence, the ability to care for themselves and for others,” said Governor LePage.

Governor LePage Issues Statement on Liberal Legislature’s Rejection of Welfare Reform Bills 

Common-sense bills would have restricted EBT use

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage released a statement today after the Legislature rejected four bills he proposed to reform welfare.

“I’m appalled that liberal legislators would reject these common-sense bills to reform our welfare system. Despite overwhelming data and firsthand accounts by well-respected law enforcement officials, liberals keep saying welfare fraud and abuse is ‘anecdotal.’ Mainers are rightfully outraged their hard-earned tax dollars are being abused, and they know these liberals are out of touch with reality. Once again, they are playing politics instead of doing what’s right for the Maine people.

“These liberal legislators and the media claim there is only a small percentage of fraud and abuse, but that percentage adds up to millions of wasted taxpayers’ dollars. While they squabble over what percentage of welfare fraud is acceptable, our Administration is working to stop 100 percent of welfare fraud.”

The Governor’s proposals are less strict than those in Massachusetts, which has a Democratic Governor and Democratic majority in the Legislature. In Massachusetts, it is illegal to use EBT cash to purchase alcohol, tobacco, bail, firearms, lottery tickets, jewelry, tattoos, body piercings, pornographic performances or vacation services. Massachusetts EBT cards cannot be used in casinos or on cruise ships. They cannot be used in stores that sell pornography, ammunition, rent-to-own furniture or manicures.

The Governor’s proposals would:

• Prevent the use of EBT cards outside of Maine;
• Prevent the use of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits for alcohol, tobacco products, lottery tickets and bail;
• Require job-ready TANF applicants to look for three jobs before receiving welfare benefits; and
• Remove state exemptions allowing TANF recipients to get around the federal work requirement.

Governor Announces Resignation of Finance Commissioner H. Sawin Millett, Jr. 

Commissioner to step down May 31, 2014

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage announced today that H. Sawin Millett, Jr., Commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, will retire effective May 31, 2014.

“Sawin’s institutional knowledge and acute understanding of the state budget and financial operations has been invaluable to our administration,” said Governor LePage. “His quiet authority and wisdom gained over more than five decades of public service have commanded the highest respect from everyone in state government, and the depth of his experience will be difficult to replace. We wish Sawin and his family much happiness and enjoyment in the retirement he so richly deserves.”

“After nearly 55 years of public service at the local, state and federal levels here in Maine, I have decided that it is time to phase down the hectic pace of my daily commitment and devote more time to enjoying the wonderful family, farm and community pleasures that await me in Waterford, my birthplace and the source of many generations of Millett family heritage,” Commissioner Millett stated to the Governor in his resignation letter. “Thank you for giving me the privilege of serving in your administration.”

Millett has served as Commissioner of DAFS in the LePage Administration for 39 months. During that time he has assisted the Governor in managing two biennial and eight supplemental budgets, directing major pension and tax reforms, overseeing zero-based budgeting and leading the streamlining task force to find $25 million in ongoing structural savings for Maine taxpayers.

Commissioner Millett has a lengthy history of public service to the State of Maine. He began his career as a teacher and coach at Carmel High School in 1959, after graduating from Bates College. He served as a teacher, coach and principal until 1971, having earned a Master’s in Education from the University of Maine in 1967. He served as the Executive Director of the Maine School Management Association and was an Assistant Professor with the University of Southern Maine.

The Commissioner first dabbled in politics at the local level, serving as a selectman from 1963-1970 in Dixmont. He later served as a selectman in his hometown of Waterford from 1986-1989.

Commissioner Millett has served in the Maine House of Representatives six times; from 1969-1972 in the 104^th and 105^th Legislatures and four consecutive terms from 2002-10 in the 121^st, 122^nd, 123^rd and 124^th Legislatures. He served as the lead House Republican on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee for the last three terms of his legislative career.

Commissioner Millett has also served five Governors over the span of his career. He served as Commissioner of Education for Governor Longley from 1975-1979 and again for Governor Brennan in 1979. He served Governor McKernan first as a Legislative Director from 1987-1989, as Finance Commissioner from 1989-1991 and then as Commissioner of the newly created DAFS from 1991-1995.

He served Governor King as a Policy Advisor in 1995 and as Associate Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services from 1996-2000.

The Commissioner also has federal service, having served as the Western Maine Regional Director for Senator Susan Collins from 2000-2002. He is a Rotarian and a member of the Mount Tir’em Lodge 132, A.F. & A.M.

Millett has been married to his loving wife, Barbara, for nearly 57 years. They reside on their 140-acre family farm in Waterford, Maine. Together they have had five children, 10 grandchildren and now have three great-grandchildren.

Statement of Governor LePage on Bill Killed by Liberals to Allow Teens to Work

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage has issued a statement about the Legislature’s failure to pass LD 1698, "An Act To Streamline the Work Permitting Process for Minors and To Conform Allowable Places That Minors May Work to Federal Law," which was killed along party lines.

“I often say that liberals put politics over the best interest of Mainers, and this is a perfect example. They would rather punish 14- and 15-year-olds than approve a bill that my administration submitted. Maine teens are now denied the opportunities to work the kind of jobs teenagers have in almost every other state. It is unconscionable that liberals would rob our teens of the ability earn a paycheck.”

“It is inconceivable to me that liberals would so vehemently oppose the idea of young Mainers developing a strong work ethic.”

The Departments of Labor and Education, superintendents and teens all supported the bill, and no one offered testimony against it. Despite an amendment that won unanimous support in the Senate last week, Democrats in the House insisted on killing the bill. The previous House vote was 85-58 along party lines.

Federal Government Denies Maine Disaster Declaration 

Governor expresses disappointment; reminds businesses of SBA loans

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage confirmed today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied his request for a major disaster declaration as a result of December’s ice storm. 

“We received a notification on March 12, 2014 that the FEMA administrator decided the damage from this event was not beyond the capabilities of the state and local governments,” the Governor said.  “We have spent the time since the notification assessing whether we could be successful in filing an appeal.  We have determined that, based on the regulatory standard we would be required to meet, an appeal would not be successful.” 

The Governor once again thanked all the local responders, road crews, utility workers and volunteers who gave up their Christmas holidays to help keep their neighbors safe.  “Our towns spared nothing to help their residents weather the storm.  I’m disappointed that FEMA did not recognize the true toll this took on our communities.”

The Governor noted that the Small Business Administration did grant his request for low-interest economic injury loans to assist businesses that lost revenue as a result of the storm.  Business owners can apply online for loans at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or call the SBA for more information at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing). 

Governor LePage Orders State of Maine Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Boston Firefighters

AUGUSTA – In honor of the two Boston firefighters who died last week, Governor Paul R. LePage has ordered the lowering of State of Maine flags on all public buildings and grounds to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, April 3.

Lieutenant Edward J. Walsh Jr. of West Roxbury and Firefighter Michael R. Kennedy of Hyde Park were killed on Wednesday, March 26 while battling a wind-stoked fire on Beacon Street in Boston.

“On behalf of all Mainers, our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out the families of Lieutenant Walsh and Firefighter Kennedy, as well as their fellow firefighters on the Boston Fire Department,” said Governor LePage. “We grieve with the families of these brave firemen and recognize those who dedicate themselves to protecting and safeguarding Americans every day.”

Governor Signs Resolve Requesting Recognition of Environmental Hazards at the Military Training Center in Gagetown, New Brunswick 

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage signed today LD 1632, “Resolve, Directing the Commissioner of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management to request the Federal government to Recognize Environment Hazards at the Military Training Center in Gagetown, New Brunswick and the Resulting health Risks and Disabilities Suffered by Certain Members of the Maine National Guard.”

The Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management has been diligently pursuing the recognition of the environmental hazards that Maine’s service men and women may have been exposed to at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown with the Department of Veterans Affairs since 2005.

This resolve will support federal legislation that has been submitted in the House and Senate by Maine’s Congressional Delegation.

For decades members of the Maine National Guard trained at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick. In 2007 the Canadian government admitted to working with the United States military in testing the herbicides Agent Orange, Agent Purple, Agent White and other unregistered pesticides at locations around the base in the late 1960s and began paying one-time settlements to its own veterans who served on the base.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs has not recognized any correlation between the symptoms experienced by Maine National Guard soldiers and their exposure to harmful chemicals used at the training base.

“Maine’s military members have sacrificed so much in service to our State and Nation.” said Governor LePage. “It is our duty as a country to take care of these brave men and women when they return sick or injured and I urge the Department of Veterans Affairs to act swiftly on righting this wrong.”

Information about Canadian Forces Base Gagetown can be found on the Bureau of Veterans’ Service website at http://www.maine.gov/dvem/bvs/. There is a questionnaire that they would like all Maine National Guard veterans who trained at CFB Gagetown to fill out and send to the Bureau. The questionnaire will assist in identifying the healthcare issues Maine Guard soldiers are experiencing that may be connected to their time at Gagetown.