Tag Archives: Maine politics

Feb 24 2016

POLIQUIN’S STATEMENT ON THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION’S PLAN TO CLOSE GUANTANAMO

February 23, 2016
Press Release

WASHINGTON – Today, Maine’s Second District Congressman, Bruce Poliquin, released the following statement on President Obama’s plan to shut down the Guantanamo Bay prison:

 

“President Obama has demonstrated, yet again, that he puts his party’s politics before protecting the American People,” said Congressman Poliquin.  “The transfer of dangerous, radicalized terrorists to American soil threatens the safety of citizens across our country.

 

“Not only is the President’s plan dangerous and senseless, but it is indisputably illegal.  President Obama himself signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 (NDAA), which specifically restricts any transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay prison.  In his address this morning, the President even acknowledged that his proposal must pass through Congress because he does not have the authority to do this unilaterally.

 

“Our Nation faces countless threats from enemies around the world every day.  This Administration should be focusing on protecting Americans and strengthening our national security, not fulfilling its political agenda.”

Feb 18 2016

Democrats Refuse to Provide Sheriff Candidates, Governor Selects Mason

02/18/2016 04:16 PM EST

 

For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 18, 2016 Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – In light of the blatant refusal from Kennebec County Democratic Party Committee members to provide more than one candidate for Sheriff, Governor Paul R. LePage has selected another candidate for the post. Governor LePage today announced Major Kenneth Mason to serve as the new Sheriff.

Last week, the Democratic Committee decided to withhold other names from the nomination process. The Committee submitted interim Sheriff Ryan Reardon’s name in October 2015.

Last month, Attorney General Janel Mills wrote a letter to Kennebec County Democratic Committee Chair Rita Moran requesting the committee’s intentions regarding the pending nomination process. Mills wrote, “While the intent of the statute is not entirely clear, the use of the words “choose” and “recommendations” seem to imply that if the Committee submits recommendations, the names of more than on qualified individual should be submitted.”

“Repeatedly, I have asked for at least two names as required by the law, but Democrats continue to play silly games and I have had enough,” said Governor Paul LePage. “I am selecting Major Kenneth Mason for this appointment. He has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement and I have the utmost confidence he will continue to be an exemplary public servant.”

Born and raised in the Augusta area, Major Mason currently serves as the Chief Deputy for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office where he was appointed in 2005.

Prior to joining the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Major Mason served as a patrol officer with the Augusta Police Department beginning in 1987. While employed with Augusta Police Department, he was a field training officer instructing and training new hires on patrol functions. Major Mason became a certified D.A.R.E. instructor after completing a two week training course at Colby College in Waterville, and taught D.A.R.E. in all of the elementary schools in Augusta. In 2003, he became a certified Motor Cycle Police Officer and conducted patrol duties on two wheels.

Major Mason is also a United States Marine having served 5 years active duty after he graduated Hall-Dale High School.

Feb 18 2016

Fighting for Rural Families in Maine

Fighting for Rural Families in Maine

Congressman Poliquin introduces bipartisan bill to improve rural families’ access to electricity

 

WASHINGTON – Maine’s Second District Congressman, Bruce Poliquin, has introduced the Improving Rural Access to Power Act, a bipartisan bill to support electricity infrastructure development in Maine’s rural areas and communities.  Congressman Poliquin released the following statement:

 

“Maine’s rural families and businesses deserve the most reliable access to electricity and other needed resources possible,” said Congressman Poliquin.  “Our communities from the County to Downeast Maine should have ready and dependable electricity available to them when they need it.  This is especially important for our seniors and those that require assured access to power.

 

“The Improving Rural Access to Power Act will make it easier for rural electric cooperatives, the major electricity suppliers for underserved areas, to access the capital they need to properly service communities and local business in more isolated regions, like the hundreds of towns on our State’s Atlantic coastline, making up more than 25,000 users.  Specifically, this bill will help ensure that thousands of households in four different counties in Maine—Aroostook, Hancock, Washington and Penobscot—can fully depend on their electricity provider, which is absolutely vital given the severe and often unpredictable weather conditions we experience.”

 

This legislation will allow the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLB’s) to invest in the electricity supplier market to help ensure that rural electric cooperatives can access the capital needed to properly service rural areas.  Current law restricts the FHLB’s authority to invest.  The Improving Rural Access to Power Act ensures that rural electric cooperatives can properly serve their communities by expanding access to capital and allowing for an increased ability to improve service reliability and transmission.

 

Congressman Poliquin introduced the bill with bipartisan support from Democratic Congressman David Scott (GA-13), the lead cosponsor, who serves on the House Financial Services Committee with Poliquin.

Feb 17 2016

New accessible voting devices to debut at June primary

02/17/2016 02:07 PM EST

 

AUGUSTA – The State of Maine will be implementing the use of new ballot-marking devices in the upcoming elections that will improve the experience for voters with disabilities.

Following an in-depth bidding and review process, the Department of the Secretary of State’s Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions has chosen the ExpressVote system http://www.essvote.com/products/12/12/universal-voting-system/expressvote/ , a product of Election Systems and Software, LLC, as its accessible voting platform.

The ExpressVote consists of a single unit with a video display screen and built-in ballot printer, with a controller attached. It is designed to accommodate any voter by offering both an audio and visual ballot, allowing a voter to make ballot selections by touching the screen or by using a controller that has uniquely shaped and colored buttons, with Braille labels. It also has the capability to accommodate various other assistive devices. When the voter is finished making the selections, the system prints a ballot marked with the voter’s choices.

“There are few things more sacred in a democracy than the right to vote,” said Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap. “This system, under the intent of the law, allows people with physical challenges, as much as possible, to vote without assistance – ensuring not only their right to vote, but also their right to a secret ballot.

“This is an aspect of the Help America Vote Act that we feel very strongly about, and we are excited by the new developments in technology,” said Dunlap.

The state’s current method of compliance with the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 consists of a phone line that allows voters with disabilities to listen to an audio ballot and select the choices by pressing a button. The ExpressVote units will represent a significant upgrade in the user experience, providing both an audio and a visual ballot, and allowing voters to “move around” on the ballot just as they would with a traditional, printed ballot.

The decision to choose the ExpressVote was made by an evaluation team that included several Elections Division staff members, municipal clerks and advocates for people with disabilities. Integral to the team’s decision was the feedback from voters with disabilities who volunteered their time to test the technology.

The ExpressVote is expected to be debuted at the June primaries. The accessible voting system can be used by any voter and will be available at all voting places.