Mar 2 2016

WARNING: IRS Scams Continue to Harm Mainers

WARNING: IRS Scams Continue to Harm Mainers

Congressman Poliquin’s offices in Lewiston, Bangor and Presque Isle are here to help victims of IRS fraud

 

LEWISTON – Phone scams from IRS impersonators continue to exploit taxpayers in Maine at alarming rates. These ongoing attacks have directly harmed countless individuals in Maine’s Second District, most of which are seniors.  Congressman Bruce Poliquin’s offices in Lewiston, Bangor and Presque Isle are available as resources to anyone who has been targeted or suspects that he or she has been targeted by these scam artists.

 

“It is despicable to me that there is an entire illegal industry today that exploits so many honest, hardworking citizens,” said Congressman Poliquin.  “It is especially disturbing that these scam artists target our seniors in particular, who are more likely than anyone else to fall victim to these criminals.”

 

When answering phone calls, it is important to remember that the IRS will NEVER:

  • Call to demand immediate payment or call about taxes owed, without first having mailed you a bill.
  • Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
  • Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
  • Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
  • Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

 

Also, be aware that IRS scams by email are up 400% this season.  Remember to take the proper precautions to defend against misleading and harmful emails from scammers.

 

Congressman Bruce Poliquin’s Offices:

 

  • Lewiston: 784-0768 or visit 179 Lisbon Street
  • Bangor: 942-0583 or visit 6 State Street, Suite 101
  • Presque Isle: 764-1968 or visit 631 Main Street, Suite 2

 

For additional information on how to defend against identity theft, please visit https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Identity-Protection.

 

Congressman Poliquin has worked hard in Congress to combat scams against Mainers, especially our seniors.  In February, Poliquin introduced the Senior $afe Act in the House, which will provide important protections for seniors to combat investment fraud, an enormous abuse of the investment market that exploits about one-fifth of investors aged 65 or older.  Poliquin’s bill is companion legislation to Senator Susan Collins’ bill in the Senate.

Mar 1 2016

Governor Will Not Support Tax Conformity Tied to More Spending

03/01/2016 02:14 PM EST
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage announced today he will not support a tax conformity bill that is tied to taking $23 million for additional education spending from the Budget Stabilization Fund.

“I will not support good policy tied to the back of bad policy,” said Governor LePage. “After speaking today with leadership from both sides of the aisle, it is clear that socialist legislators will continue to hold up tax conformity to get more spending. It’s totally unrelated to tax conformity.”

The Governor said he hopes to work with the 128th Legislature to support tax conformity next year and make it retroactive to this year.
Mar 1 2016

Poliquin Stands Up for Maine Jobs and Maine-Made Products

Poliquin Stands Up for Maine Jobs and Maine-Made Products

Congressman Poliquin testifies in front of the House Armed Services Committee supporting the use of quality American products for our Military Men and Women

 

WASHINGTON – Today, Maine’s Second District Congressman, Bruce Poliquin, testified before the House Armed Services Committee to advocate for the use of the Berry Amendment, a provision which requires the Department of Defense to use American-made products when available.  In addition, Congressman Poliquin thanked the Committee for its work to include an additional DDG-51 ship in last year’s National Defense Authorization Act to be manufactured at Bath Iron Works, employing more than 6,000 Mainers from across our State.

 

Congressman Poliquin testifies before the House Armed Services Committee. Click HERE to watch the Congressman’s testimony.

 

After the hearing, Congressman Poliquin released the following statement:

 

“I urge the Committee to implement the Berry Amendment and to require the Department of Defense to use materials that are made here in America, specifically the top-of-the-line athletic shoes that are manufactured in Maine’s Second District” said Congressman Poliquin. “Our businesses and workers in Maine produce the best shoes in America and provide more than 900 jobs for hardworking Mainers.”

 

Congressman Poliquin enters the House Armed Services Committee hearing room sporting his own American-made athletic shoes.

 

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Attachments area

Preview YouTube video 20160301 Member Day – National Defense Priorities from Members for the FY 2017 NDAA (ID: 104597)

20160301 Member Day – National Defense Priorities from Members for the FY 2017 NDAA (ID: 104597)

 

Feb 26 2016

Poliquin Votes to Protect Second Amendment Rights, Access to Public Lands

Poliquin Votes to Protect Second Amendment Rights, Access to Public Lands

Poliquin safeguards rights to our public lands and firearms

 

WASHINGTON – Today, Maine’s Second District Congressman, Bruce Poliquin, voted for the bipartisan SHARE Act, which will protect access to public lands and safeguard law-abiding citizens’ Second Amendment rights. Congressman Poliquin released the following statement:

 

“As an outdoorsman, proud gun owner, and member of the Congressional Sportsmen Caucus, one of my priorities in Congress is to protect our outdoors and public lands and to ensure that they can be enjoyed by all and for generations of Mainers to come,” said Congressman Poliquin. “That is why I voted in support of this legislation, which will protect our use of public lands from intrusive federal agencies and will safeguard our Second Amendment rights.”

 

“As Maine’s Second District Congressman, I know how important it is to protect our sportsman tradition in Maine. In Congress, I will continue to support our citizens’ rights to using our land responsibly. I will also always stand firmly against any attack on our Second Amendment rights.”

 

The SHARE Act is a bipartisan bill that contains several key provisions to protect our fishers, hunters and outdoorsmen and women and their rights. This bill removes intrusive regulations from federal agencies, greatly increases the opportunities for Mainers to use federal lands recreationally, and puts in place safeguards to protect law-abiding citizens’ Second Amendment rights.