News

Governor Sends Condolences on the Passing of Former Senator William Hathaway

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage released a statement today about the passing of former Senator William Hathaway, who represented Maine for six years in the U.S. Senate after winning the seat from Margaret Chase Smith in 1972.

“I extend my sincerest condolences on behalf of all Maine citizens to the family and friends of Senator Bill Hathaway,” the Governor said. “He devoted much of his life to serving Maine and the American people, both in the private and public sectors, as well as in the military. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family during this difficult time.”

Senator Hathaway served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was held for two months as a prisoner of war in 1944. He graduated from Harvard University in 1949, attended Harvard Law School and served in a several legal positions, mostly in Androscoggin County.

Before serving as a Senator, he won election to Congress in 1964 and represented Maine in the U.S. House for six years.

Senator Hathaway died in his home in McLean, Virginia on Monday. He was 89.

Despite Media Fascination with Quotes: Governor’s Reforms are Working; Unemployment Lower Again in Latest Figures 

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage hailed the release of Maine’s May unemployment rateundefined6.8 percentundefinedas a sign of an improving economy, but he cautioned that the state still faces many economic challenges.

“Today’s report that Maine’s unemployment rate is below 7 percent for the second consecutive month is a positive sign that our economy is slowly recovering,” said Governor LePage. “We must continue to make the tough choices on taxes and right-sizing government that will further improve our business climate and kick our economy into high gear.”

Maine’s unemployment rate has fallen 0.5 percent in three months, from its 2013 peak at 7.3 percent. May’s unemployment rate is the lowest since 2008. Economists caution that, although the overall recent trend is down, the rate still may fluctuate in coming months.

May’s estimate of 600,400 nonfarm payroll jobs was up 2,400 from the revised April estimate. Growth has been primarily in the hospitality, professional services, health care and education sectors. Other sectors generally have stabilized since the downturn.

As the number of private sector jobs have slowly increased, these gains have been offset by losses in the number of government jobs. Government accounted for 16.6 percent of nonagricultural jobs in May, the lowest share since 2001.

Maine has fundamental, structural challenges that developed over decades. Maine’s lack of population growth, based on our age and demographics precludes the state from growing as fast as the nation for more than short periods.

“Making the state competitive in terms of taxation and the environment in which to grow a business is the formula that will create jobs and provide the opportunity that encourages young people to stay and others move here,” emphasized the Governor. “We need new businesses and a growing population to turn around these demographic trends that drag down our economy.”

The following is the weekly message from Governor Paul R. LePage. To listen to the audio visit the Governor's website.

 

The Legislature has been in session for five months, but politicians waited until the 11^th hour to tackle some of state’s biggest challenges. After fighting insignificant skirmishes for months, legislators suddenly found themselves in the most important battle of the war:  whether to hold the line on taxes.

Hello, this is Governor Paul LePage.

Politicians who try to reduce taxes always face resistance, but this year the opposition was fierce. Surrounded by outrage from municipal officials, school administrators, special interests and unions, the politicians did what they always do. They surrendered.

Unfortunately, one group didn’t even stand a chance in this fight: Maine taxpayers. As lobbyists and legislators scurried back and forth under the dome, Maine taxpayers stood on the sidelines, hoping someone would summon up the courage to protect their interests. As usual, it didn’t happen.

Folks, someone has to hold the line. Someone has to speak for the Maine taxpayer. Someone has to prevent us from heaping burden after burden on our children and our grandchildren. This isn’t just about this year’s budget, or even the next budget cycle. This is about the next generation.

Every year, politicians say they have to raise taxes just a little bit to pay for government. If cities and towns increase taxes only two to three percent every year, it doesn’t sound like much. But over 10 years, that’s a 20 to 30 percent tax hike. This has been going on for years at all levels of government.

That’s why the federal government is 17-trillion-dollars in debt. That’s why state government has outgrown our ability to pay for it, and that’s why property taxes have skyrocketed over the past 20 years.

As these taxes have gone up and up, Mainers have not seen better services from government. Even with spending on school administration, overall student performance has not improved. Our roads and bridges are in disrepair. Our business climate is ranked last in the nation. Folks, higher taxes have not improved the lives of Mainers.

That’s why I stand on the principle of not raising taxes. Raising taxes is not the only way to pay for government. It is possible to reduce the cost of government in a fiscally responsible manner without losing services and without raising the overall tax burden on residents, particularly those on fixed incomes.

If you allow politicians to raise your taxesundefinedeven just a little bitundefinedthey will take your money and spend it on their misplaced priorities. They will increase welfare, they will expand government and they will give more money to schools to spend on administrators, not the teachers, not the students.

Politicians from both major parties have misplaced their priorities to feed their addiction to spending. They are expanding government at a rate that cannot be sustained by our children and our grandchildren. They want to give welfare to able-bodied people, but they won’t provide care for our disabled, our elderly and our children at risk.

For months, politicians refused to pay the hospitals, and they still refuse to find savings by fixing the fraud and abuse in our welfare system. They vote to increase the budget every year, but they can’t find money for programs to prevent elder abuse or domestic violence. These politicians have shown time and again that they are not good stewards of the public’s money.

Folks, as your Governor, I have just one priority. It’s my job to make sure your money is managed in a fiscally responsible and business-like manner. My number-one priority is to protect the Maine taxpayer, not just for the next budget cycle, but also for the next generation of Mainers.

Until the politicians in Augusta can get their priorities straight, I will continue to fight against tax increasesundefinedeven the little ones.

Legislative Budget Makes Education Cuts, Misses Opportunity to Support Maine Students

AUGUSTA – As Governor Paul R. LePage continues to review the upcoming two-year budget, which was delivered to him late last week, he has discovered a disturbing trend of cuts to education. The budget reflects a slashing by the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee of supports for existing programs proven to prepare Maine youth for success in college and their careers and some innovative new ones.

That committee cut a total of $18.4 million proposed by the Department of Education and Governor LePage, including reducing funding over the next two years for Jobs for Maine’s Graduates by $600,000 and the Aspiration program– which raises education aspirations by allowing students to take college courses at a reduced rate – by $1.2 million.

Meanwhile, the committee, which is chaired by Democratic Senator Dawn Hill and Representative Peggy Rotundo, created a new line item in the budget backed by $200,000 for a college aspirations program that only serves one county – Androscoggin, which Rep. Rotundo represents a portion of.

“Democrats, for two years, have falsely accused me of making deep cuts to education, when in fact, I have consistently added funding into the budget to support Maine students,” Governor LePage stated.

Governor LePage has kept General Purpose Aid (GPA) above the amount it was when he took office every year of his Administration. If Governor LePage’s biennial budget was enacted as proposed, by the end of his first term roughly $84 million would have been invested in our schools over and above the baseline GPA amount when he took office.

 The committee also removed the entire $3 million proposed by DOE for targeted school improvement, all $3 million for the development of Career and Technical Education (known as CTE) industry standards and $5 million for the implementation of landmark educator effectiveness rules enacted with bipartisan support last legislative session.

In an especially curious move that speaks to the lack of consideration given in making these cuts, Appropriations also removed $4 million for the Fund for the Efficiency Delivery of Education Services, the same week the House and Senate approved its expansion via LD 1106, “An Act to Develop a Grant Program to Establish a Teacher-led School Model."

 The fund fosters innovation in Maine schools by providing them monetary support to implement changes in government, structure or policies that result in sustainable collaborations that improve outcomes for students.

The funding freed by those cuts will instead be given directly to districts through Essential Programs and Services, even though local school budgets approved by voters don’t authorize the spending of that additional State money.

“Our department’s efforts are fully focused on improving our schools to ensure students graduate college and/or career ready,” said Commissioner Bowen. “These targeted funds would have rewarded schools for doing innovative things and funded the very initiatives that the legislature and Maine people told us were so important. It’s time to move beyond the status quo and to make our educational system better for Maine kids and this budget as it stands misses several opportunities to do that in really meaningful ways.”

Governor LePage noted that Democrats have misplaced priorities in this biennial budget.

“Unlike the Democrats, I am not concerned about the next election, rather I am more concerned about our next generation. These cuts are irresponsible and demonstrate the misplaced priorities of Democrats,” said Governor LePage.

 

CONNECT WITH GOVERNOR LEPAGE:

State Labor Commissioner Jeanne Paquette released May workforce estimates for Maine.

Seasonally Adjusted Statewide Data

Survey of Households  - The preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate estimate for Maine was 6.8 percent in May, little changed from 6.9 percent in April and down from 7.3 percent one year ago. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated 48,200 were unemployed, down 3,600 over the year. The unemployment rate was the lowest since November 2008.

In the last three years the U.S. unemployment rate declined more rapidly than it has in Maine. This occurred despite the fact that the share of the population that is employed did not increase nationally but did increase in Maine. Declining labor force participation drove U.S. unemployment rates lower, a trend that did not occur in Maine. May was the 68th consecutive month Maine had a higher share of employed population than the nation undefined 60.9 percent compared to 58.6 percent. (Jobless people not actively looking for work are not counted as unemployed; they are not in the labor force.)

A series of recent reports on GDP, personal income, and jobs indicate Maine has been among the slowest growing states in the nation. The state faces significant impediments to growth this decade because our prime working-age population is declining, a pattern that is not occurring nationally. This trend is the product of far fewer births after the 1960s. Declines in the population age 25 to 54 will be greatest between 2010 and 2015, averaging 7,700 per year. As a result, we should not expect Maine to be among the faster growing states.

The U.S. unemployment rate was estimated at 7.6 percent, little changed from 7.5 percent in April and down from 8.2 percent one year ago. The New England unemployment rate was 6.9 percent; estimates for other states were 5.3 percent in New Hampshire, 4.1 percent in Vermont, 6.6 percent in Massachusetts, 8.9 percent in Rhode Island, and 8.0 percent in Connecticut.

(NOTE: Preliminary unemployment rate estimates tend to move in a direction for several months and then move in the opposite direction for several months. This pattern often reflects an estimating methodology rather than improvement or deterioration in conditions. Annual revisions to labor force estimates that will be published in March 2014 usually remove those directional trends.)

Survey of Employer Payrolls – Preliminary estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate there were 600,400 nonfarm payroll jobs in May, up 2,400 from the revised April estimate. The estimate of U.S. nonfarm payroll jobs was up 175,000.

(NOTE: Nonfarm payroll jobs estimates tend to be volatile from month to month. Estimates for the period from October 2012 to September 2013 will be replaced with actual payroll data in March 2014. The revised job count is likely to show less volatility than monthly estimates.)

Not Seasonally Adjusted Substate Data

The not seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in May, down from 7.3 percent one year ago. Not seasonally adjusted rates ranged from 5.5 percent in Cumberland County to 10.1 percent in Washington County. Rates tended to be lower than the statewide average in southern and central counties and higher than average in northern and rim counties.

The unemployment rate was below the statewide average in all three metro areas: Portland-South Portland-Biddeford (5.6 percent), Bangor (6.6 percent) and Lewiston-Auburn (6.7 percent).

This release is available at www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/news/release.html. Detailed labor force and unemployment data for the state, counties, and 31 labor market areas; nonfarm jobs data for the state and the three metropolitan areas; and much more is available at www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/data.html.

June data will be released Friday, July 19.

Governor's Veto Message Clear, Maine Must Support University In Offshore Wind Development

AUGUSTA – Wednesday evening, Governor Paul R. LePage vetoed LD 1559, "An Act To Reduce Energy Costs, Increase Energy Efficiency, Promote Electric System Reliability and Protect the Environment.” However, in his veto message, the Governor made it clear why he rejected the measure – the bill failed to include a fair opportunity for the University of Maine to equally compete for an offshore wind demonstration project.

The Governor noted he offered Democratic leadership a compromise to avoid a veto, providing an opportunity for the University of Maine to compete equally. “I gave my word that, if that one additional provision was included, I would let this bill go into law without my signature,” the Governor said. “There are many things we can disagree on, but we should all agree that our flagship university deserves the opportunity to compete on a level playing field. For the State, it is simply the right thing to do.”

Additionally, the Governor recognized the bill had some positive aspects, but that he had significant concerns with other parts of it. “There are also fee increases on Maine people and significant risk with new authority provided to the Public Utilities Commission. I believe we can do more to encourage lower cost electricity, including hydroelectric, and should focus our limited resources on directly lowering heating costs,” he wrote.

Patrick Woodcock, Director of the Governor’s Energy Office, stated, “We should be focusing on what could unite the State of Maine and allow our University to compete for an offshore wind project. The current version of this bill chooses the Norwegian oil company Statoil over our University.”

Earlier this month an historic launching of VolturnUS, the first concrete floating wind turbine in the world, occurred, which should compel Maine to ensure it makes the right choice for developing an offshore wind industry in Maine, Woodcock noted.  

“While it is the PUC’s decision to specifically award contracts, the Governor supports evaluating whether we can utilize the subsidy that will maximize the economic benefits to the State of Maine.  The University of Maine should be given that option and if they are chosen by the PUC as being the best option for our economy, the Governor supports this research and development,” Woodcock said.  

Governor LePage met with Energy Committee chairs Senator John Cleveland (D-Androscoggin) and Representative Barry Hobbins (D-Saco) and the Ranking Republicans Senator Edward Youngblood (R-Penobscot) and Representative Larry Dunphy (R-Embden) in May to discuss the legislative package agreeing that reducing Maine’s energy and electricity prices are a priority. The Governor has committed to working with the committee over the next year to find ways to address the fundamental challenges Maine faces with energy costs.

Among the goals of the bill is to help Mainers lower their heating costs with more affordable options such as natural gas, wood pellets, or heat pumps and lower the cost of electricity for businesses – a proposal submitted by the Governor earlier this session.

“Maine’s energy costs are too high – and it’s killing economic opportunity,” said Governor LePage. “Maine families pay more than 24 percent above the national average for electricity. Our businesses pay 14 percent more. Alternatives can help us move to lower the $3,000 or more that Mainers spend on average annually to heat their homes.”

The veto now awaits action in the Senate.

 

Maine’s First Lady Ann LePage to Address the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in Washington, DC

Mrs. LePage Talks About the Positive Effect of National Service and Volunteerism In Maine

 

AUGUSTA– On Friday, June 21, Maine’s First Lady Ann M. LePage will participate in a “Fireside Chat” during the National Conference on Volunteering and Service at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

She will be joined by the First Ladies of Rhode Island and Nebraska, to discuss their strong leadership on service and volunteering. Addressing over 4,000 National Service leaders and volunteers from around the country, First Lady LePage will talk about the positive impact of national service on Maine communities and those who serve. Specifically, she will focus on her volunteerism with Maine’s veterans, our service men and women, and services provided to Maine’s elderly. Maine has a devoted network of National Service volunteers numbering over 3,900.

“I am so honored and humbled to be asked to share the stage with First Ladies Sally Ganem of Nebraska and Stephanie Chafee of Rhode Island,” Mrs. LePage said. “Maine is a rural state, and it is critical that we all work together to meet the needs of our community members. Government alone cannot do this. We must come together as a state – as Mainers – to lend our neighbors a helping hand.”

For more information on how you can volunteer in your community, please visit http://www.volunteermaine.org/ 

Field Hockey Tournament to Benefit Webber Breast Care Center

Teams are seeking donations to benefit those diagnosed with breast cancer

Farmington ¾

 

Area high school field hockey fans are in for another treat this summer when Franklin Community Health Network (FCHN) hosts the annual Battle for Breast Cancer Tournament, Round 3, a round-robin benefit field hockey tournament taking place at Thomas College in Waterville on Friday, July 19, from 3:30–9 p.m. In the case of inclement weather, the rain date is Saturday, July 20.

 

The beneficiary is the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center , a program of Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington . More than $20,000 was raised for the center last summer at the tournament that included five teams.

 

The tournament has been moved to Thomas College this year so that more teams can participate. The college’s athletic facility features two side-by-side turf fields.

 

July’s tournament will feature eight Central Maine high school field hockey teams: Skowhegan, Winslow, Messalonski, Mt. Blue , Lawrence , Mt. View , Leavitt, and Nokomis. Team members are currently seeking donations from family and friends for the tournament and approaching businesses for sponsorship. On-line donations can be made by visiting www.fchn.org/support/donate and can be directed to one of the teams playing.

 

According to Jill Gray Community Relations manager, “All funds raised will be used for working people diagnosed with breast cancer at the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center who are uninsured or under-insured.”

 

Prior to the tournament, the players are learning about mammograms and breast cancer through videos and discussions with breast cancer survivors and staff of the breast care center. And, every team is offered a facility tour.

 

The Webber family created an endowed fund for the support of the breast center in 2004 in memory of Peter Webber’s late wife, Martha, who passed away as the result of breast cancer in 1995.

 

Checks payable to FCHN can be mailed to the Fund Development Office, 111 Franklin Health Commons , Farmington , ME 04938 . For more information, contact Gray at 779-2555.

 

The Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center offers timely access to state-of-the-art digital screening, and diagnostic, clinical, and care support services by a multi-disciplinary team of health care providers. The center has locations in Farmington and Livermore Falls

 

Governor LePage welcomes regional effort to import more hydropower from Quebec 

AUGUSTA –Governor Paul R. LePage today applauded a regional effort that seeks to bring competitive hydroelectric power to Maine and New England.

 Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont have launched an initiative to secure cleaner, cheaper power options by importing large amounts of hydro into New England. The New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE) will evaluate the expansion of large hydro and create a strategic plan to be presented to New England Governors later this year.

Governor LePage has proposed removing the 100-megawatt limit on renewable sources of energy, which would allow Maine to import significantly more hydro from Quebec.

“Lowering the cost of energy is vital to making our business climate more competitive,” said Governor LePage. “I continue to push for energy policies that will allow Maine to import clean, renewable and affordable hydro power, which will provide our businesses with electricity at lower rates. The plan by NESCOE will allow us to partner with the entire region and get for the most affordable prices for the Maine ratepayer.”

The benefits of clean hydropower include reducing and stabilizing electricity prices; enhancing fuel diversity; increasing electric grid reliability; reducing environmental impact from the energy sector; and encouraging energy resources from within the region.

“It makes sense to work with our regional partners to bring more of this clean energy resource to New England,” said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.

“Vermont has long worked to have a diverse mix of green, clean sources of electricity that can address climate change in a way that is affordable for ratepayers, and hydropower is an important part of furthering those goals,” said Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin.

“Governor LePage envisioned a regional partnership to bring competitive hydroelectric power to Maine and New England since he took office, and this is a critical step in moving forward with this objective,” said Patrick Woodcock, Director of the Maine Governor’s Energy Office. “Maine welcomes this leadership from the State of Massachusetts, as well as our regional partners, and looks forward to collaborating to bring additional hydroelectricity to New England and ultimately developing a true regional renewable energy market.”

2^nd Annual Father’s Day Androscoggin River Clean Up POSTPONED

In the interest of safety for community volunteers given high river levels, the event has been moved to June 30^th

WHEN AND WHERE

June 30^th 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Volunteer Check-in starts at 8:30 AM and orientation will begin at 9 AM)

Little Andy Park, Second Street, Auburn (Volunteers will be dispatched from here to boats/shoreline locations)

 

Auburn – The Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT) has chosen to postpone the annual Father’s Day Riverfront clean up due to higher water than would be safe for beginning paddlers.   Given the success of last year’s event (over 1,300 pounds of trash and debris), this water-based clean-up effort for the Androscoggin River will be moved two weeks to Sunday, June 30th.

“While ALT is proud to be a major promoter for experiences on the river, the safety of the community is always our top priority.  We look forward to letting the river return to normal levels by June 30^th and having everyone out on that day,” shared Jonathan LaBonte, ALT Executive Director of ALT.

ALT, with the help of primary sponsor Baxter Brewing Co., along with partners Service Master Clean and Fire House Grille, will be encouraging families and willing volunteers to come help clean up the Androscoggin River as we prepare downtown Lewiston-Auburn for the summer river recreation season.

With growing interest in the riverfront, including the investment interest spinning off from Lewiston’s Riverfront Island planning effort and the ALT-led Androscoggin Greenway project, the view of our community from the river itself needs continued attention.

Lewiston Auburn Canoe & Kayak Rentals as well as Bates Outing Club will be providing canoes to assist in this effort, but we encourage those with canoes to consider bringing your boats so we can maximize the number of people on the river.  Volunteers will be assigned to the canoes and will take to the river in groups.  Those more comfortable on land will have opportunities to provide clean-up support from the shore.

Both Fire House Grille and Baxter Brewery are assisting with staff volunteers and as host of the thank you BBQ lunch sponsored by ServiceMaster Clean, along with a complimentary Baxter (or non-alcoholic) beverage to the first 100 volunteers to register. 

If you wish to join the effort, register early. To learn more or to register for the clean-up, please call ALT at 207-782-2302 or e-mail us at info@androscogginlandtrust.org