Tag Archives: Maine House of Representatives

Campaign 2018, Discussions / Blog

MAINE VETERAN FINANCIAL BENEFITS

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MAINE VETERAN FINANCIAL BENEFITS

Income Tax

Military retirement is tax-free.

Property Tax Exemption

An other-than-dishonorably discharged resident Maine veteran who served during wartime and is 62 years or older; or, is receiving 100% VA disability; or, became 100% disabled while serving, is eligible for a $6,000 property tax exemption. Un-remarried surviving spouses are also eligible.

Paraplegic veterans, and their qualifying spouses are eligible for up to a $50,000 property tax exemption.

MAINE VETERAN EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE

State Employment preference points shall be added to passing examination scores for state employment.

Honorably discharged veterans get a 5 point preference, 10 percent or greater disabled veterans get a 10 point preference. Spouses may be eligible as well.

MAINE DEPENDENTS EDUCATION BENEFITS PROGRAM

Maine offers a 100 percent waiver of tuition and all fees at state schools for dependents of Maine veterans who are permanently and totally disabled, died of a service connected disability, or was killed in action.

This benefit applies to dependents of Maine veterans who entered the service from Maine or has been a resident for 5 years immediately preceding application for aid and, if living, continues to reside in Maine throughout the duration of benefits administered under the educational

Spouses have 10 years from the date of first entrance to complete the program, children have 6 academic years from the date of first entrance to complete 8 semesters.

 

 

MAINE VETERAN RECREATION BENEFITS

Hunting & Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans

A disabled veteran who has a service connected disability evaluated at 50% or more may obtain a complimentary license to fish, trap, hunt, including archery, muzzle load, bear, migratory bird, pheasant, spring/fall wild turkey, coyote night hunt, crossbow, one expanded archery antler less deer permit, and upon meeting the qualifications, a license to guide.

This license is available to residents of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

This license(s) remains valid for the life of the license holder, as long as the license holder continues to satisfy the residency requirements.

State Park Admission Fees

Any Maine veteran with an other-than-dishonorable discharge gets free admission to all of Maine’s state parks and historic sites.

Maine residents who are enlisted active duty members and their dependents also receive free admission to state parks and historic sites.

Active Duty Military Hunting & Fishing Licenses

Active duty Maine residents, and their dependents, can buy a discounted hunting, fishing, or combination hunting and fishing license.

Hunting & Fishing Licenses for Non-Resident Active Duty Members

Any military member stationed in Maine, as well as their dependents,  can pay the resident fee for a hunting, fishing, or trapping license.

MAINE VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY

The Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery System consists of four cemeteries. One of which is located in Caribou, two in Augusta and one in Springvale. Burial is free of charge to veterans with an other-than-dishonorable discharge as well as their dependents.

Visit the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services website for more information on any of these programs.

Campaign 2018, Discussions / Blog

A REPORT FROM THE DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION

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A REPORT FROM THE DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION

Delegates heard compelling speeches by Democratic candidates for Governor and the Second Congressional District, as well as many others.  At the conclusion of the convention, Democrats went home from Lewiston fired up to elect Democrats this November.

During the Platform Committee process prior to the Convention, the existing plank opposing the private East West Corridor was dropped.  After a vote of our members at a county committee meeting, we managed to get the plank back on the agenda.

At the convention, Hancock County got this matter addressed as the first item considered on the floor of the convention.  We made the case with help from the Piscataquis County Democratic Committee.  We explained that we are not opposing progress or public transportation projects to benefit Mainers.  We are opposing a private, corporate boondoogle intended to benefit Canadians at the expense of Maine’s environment and economy.  We explained that the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Council of Maine and the Maine Small Business Coalition are with us on this issue.  WE WON THE VOTE ON THE FLOOR.  Thank you, HCDC members, who supported our efforts!

Hancock County delegates at the State Convention elected new members to the State Committee.  These members will serve until the next State Convention in 2020.

Members: Sandy Snow, Surry

Loren Snow, Surry

Stephen York, Stonington

Alternate: Gary Pinder, Brooklin

Campaign 2018, Discussions / Blog

All About $5 Clean Election Contributions

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Maine Clean Election Funding Explained:

Video is less than 2 minutes

Clean Election Contributions Needed

$5.00 Contributions Needed to fund this campaign

Maine.gov/cleanelections

EMERGENCY (YES, a real one!)
CLEAN ELECTIONS FUNDING THREATENED
PLEASE ACT NOW

Due to obstructionism by Maine’s House Republicans, the legislature failed to complete actions to fund Maine’s Clean Elections program for the 2018 elections.

Candidates must now collect all their $5 donations to the Clean Elections fund well before June 30.  If they don’t, they won’t receive full funding and they will be seriously disadvantaged running against traditionally financed candidates.  Any funds must be disbursed by June 30, which means you should make your donation by June 20. 

Why this matters so much: Most Democratic legislative candidates in Hancock County are running as Clean Elections candidates. For each additional 15 qualifying $5 donations, House candidates receive $1,275 to a maximum of 180 qualifying contributions.  For each additional 45 qualifying $5 contributions, Senate candidates receive $10,200 to a maximum of 535 qualifying contributions. This means they need to collect as many $5 donations to the Clean Elections fund as possible – NOW.  Delays may seriously damage their ability to wage effective campaigns against traditionally financed Republican candidates.

If you have already donated, thank you!  if you have been waiting …

 Just click here:  www.maine.gov/cleanelections 

  1. Hit the green  Contribute  button,
  2. Fill in your name and address so they know you are a registered voter,
  3. Hit the green  Continue  button,
  4. Follow directions to contribute $5 to each candidate of your choice.

It really is that easy. So just DO IT!

An excellent explanation of the problem was presented by the League of Women Voters:

Funding for Clean Elections

One of the bills caught in the crossfire is LD 1894 An Act To Correct Errors and Inconsistencies in the Laws of Maine. There was a drafting error regarding funding for Clean Elections in the biennial budget passed at the 11th hour last summer. Because of the way that budget bill was worded regarding the early transfer of $3 million from FY 2019 to FY 2018, the error prevents the Ethics Commission from disbursing money to candidates from the Maine Clean Election Fund after the end of this fiscal year, June 30, 2018.

To make matters worse, it now appears that candidates participating in the Clean Elections program will not be allowed to raise private money to make up the difference. The Maine Clean Election Act provides that participating candidates may raise private money to finish their campaigns IF the fund runs out of money. In this twisted circumstance, the fund is NOT out of money. The fund HAS plenty of money. But the Ethics Commission is not allowed to disburse it.

Everyone agrees it was a drafting error. Remember, this is not more money, just moving the money from one year to another. The legislature attempted to fix the problem in the so-called Errors Bill, which normally sails through unopposed. Not this time. This is among the “undead” bills remaining for legislative action when and if the legislature comes back.

We need a special session, and we need this bill to pass. Candidates and voters from all parties have been relying on the Clean Elections program. We have three gubernatorial candidates already qualified, and now hundreds of legislative candidates have qualified, too. This funding was part of a bipartisan budget deal hammered out last year. There is no legitimate reason for House Republicans to renege on that deal now. You can find contact information here. Tell your representatives how much you want them to fix this problem.

Campaign 2018, Discussions / Blog

Gun Safety

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Gun Safety:
Democratic platform position: Supports responsible gun ownership in accordance with the 2nd amendment of the U.S.
Constitution and works to strengthen background checks for every firearm sale or transfer within the State of Maine.

Republican platform position: Defend the individual’s right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Maine and U.S. Constitutions;

My Position: I’m generally not in favor of regulations that limit an individual’s right to live free of unnecessary intrusion. That being said, we have a huge issue surrounding violence on a mass scale that we’ve not experienced in the past. To address the extreme violence means addressing a complex web of issues. I support measures that will to thwart this escalating violence without diminishing the rights of responsible gun owners.

Campaign 2018, Discussions / Blog, Maine Issues

A Look at the Maine GOP Platform for 2018

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Here’s a look at the Republican Party’s platform for Maine for 2018.

Link to the Maine GOP platform

Subsequent posts will address specific points relating to some items. in the following platform. 

Ratified by The Maine Republican State Convention, April 22, 2016

​Maine Republican Party Platform
Generations of Americans have fought to preserve the Republic, our freedoms, and the American way of life. We appreciate and honor the service of active duty and reserve military, veterans, fire fighters, police officers, sheriffs, first responders and EMTs, and all those who serve our state and nation. Today our Constitutional Republic is threatened by a failure to adhere to the principles put forth in our founding documents. It is only by restoring the principles of Liberty that we can prevent the moral and economic collapse currently unfolding.

I. This platform embraces principles and identifies actions to implement them.

  1. We proclaim allegiance to the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Maine.
  2. The Constitutions, both the U.S. and State of Maine, are the framework to which all legislation must adhere. Progressive principles are incompatible with the principles of The Republican Party of the State of Maine.

In order to define the specific policies encompassed by said constitutional principles, be it resolved:
II. The government of Maine exists to preserve and protect certain natural, inherent and inalienable rights endowed by our Creator for the benefit, protection and security of all citizens and future generations. To maintain this doctrine, the U. S. and Maine Constitutions are the framework to which all legislation must conform, therefore we pledge to:

  1. Defend the individual’s right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Maine and U.S. Constitutions;
  2. Defend state’s rights as reserved in the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution;
  3. Defend the sovereignty of the United States

III. The strength of Maine and the United States lies with the rights and responsibilities of the individual:

  1. The expression of religious faith must not be excluded from the public forum and US military;
  2. The profits of an individual’s efforts and accumulation of private property belong to the individual;
  3. Support the assimilation of legal immigrants into Maine society;
  4. Affirm English as the official language of the State of Maine and the nation.

IV. Capitalism and the free market system encourages individual initiative and a Prosperous economy:

  1. Promote economic prosperity through sound investment opportunity and a positive business climate;
  2. Enact Right to Work laws to better stimulate economic growth;
  3. Provide Health Care through free market solutions;
  4. Protect ownership of private property which is fundamental to liberty and a strong economy;
  5. Implement a comprehensive energy policy – removing government obstacles and reducing the cost of energy for Maine families and businesses;
  6. Eliminate Maine’s income tax.

V. The most effective government is closest to the people and the least intrusive:

  1. Federalization of the Maine Woods will not be tolerated;
  2. Municipal Home Rule is to be honored and respected;
  3. Maine’s colleges and universities should be marketplaces of ideas where any individual’s political and religious beliefs may be expressed and shall be respected;
  4. Individuals are responsible for decisions affecting their lives and well-being;
  5. To maintain the safety-net for Maine’s most vulnerable, we support comprehensive welfare reform;
  6. Support the restoration of local control in education as specified in the Maine Constitution;
    1. Parents have the right and responsibility to direct their children’s education;
    2. The best academic opportunities are made possible through educational choice;
    3. Maine State Government shall not support Common Core State Standards (CCSS), also referred to as Maine Learning Results, and any application of Proficiency Based Learning (PBL) and diploma requirements;
  1. Protect local food rights and policies;
  2. Ensure the integrity of the election process.

VI. The family is the foundation and strength of a stable society; therefore, the government must not interfere, but rather support and protect the integrity and rights of the family:

  1. Promote Family values;
  2. Marriage is defined as the union of one man and one woman;
  3. Parents – not government – are most capable and responsible to make decisions in the best interest of their minor children, including medical, disciplinary and educational decisions;
  4. We believe in the sanctity of human life – from conception to natural death;
  5. Prohibit the use of state funds for abortions or activities that run counter to the sanctity of human life;
  6. Support faith-based family resources.

VII. Fiscal restraint and accountability for all levels of government is paramount:

  1. Work to reduce spending at all levels of government, federal, state, county and local to ensure fiscal stability and minimal debt for future generations;
  2. Through sound fiscal management reduce the Maine tax burden, including fees;
  3. Institute zero based budgeting in all programs and require the government and all agencies adhere to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

VIII. Moving forward Maine Republicans support the following initiatives:

  1. We encourage all Republican candidates to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, and oppose any and all efforts to increase taxes and fees;
  2. Reducing the regulations and processes that have a negative impact and place undue burdens on private enterprise;
  3. Ensure environmental regulations are based upon sound science and recognize the value of Maine’s outdoor heritage;
  4. Conform the state tax code to the federal tax code to achieve fairness and equity;
  5. Repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) and all initiated components;
  6. Mandatory minimum sentences to protect the innocent and the victims of crime;
  7. The Office of Program Evaluation & Government Accountability (OPEGA), Maine’s governmental oversight agency and its mission to achieve effective and efficient state government;
  8. All state quasi-government authorities must be held accountable to the state legislature and the governor;
  9. Legislation that requires photo identification to vote in the State of Maine;
  10. Secure the U. S. borders in accordance with current Federal law.
  11. Repeal taxpayer funding for political campaigns, requiring instead that political candidates raise campaign funds in a manner that is both voluntary and transparent.
  12. We support the Convention of States Project application which seeks to call an Article V convention limited to only proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress.


​For too many years, Americans have trusted that our elected officials were working to protect and defend our interests. Without persistent vigilance by the people, this trust is often misplaced. It is therefore incumbent on all of us to stay informed and involved in the American experiment of self governance. Those of us who have united behind the Republican banner invite you to join us in this task and support the Republican candidates for office that uphold these principles.

May God Bless America!