Top Maine and National News
The State of our union is strong
On Tuesday, our President delivered his State of the Union speech, laying out his vision for the country. Following the President’s speech, Maine GOP Chair Dr. Demi Kouzounas had this to say:
Tonight we heard great news from the President on Maine's and America's future. Our economy is in a major upswing, with unemployment at a 17-year low and wages rising after decades of stagnation. Paychecks are growing even more due to tax cuts for working people and small businesses that Senator Collins and Congressman Poliquin played crucial roles in fine-tuning. Unfair trade practices that have particularly hurt Maine are finally being addressed instead of being ignored. Our military is being rebuilt to give us peace through strength. And for the first time in a decade, we are getting back to a 'new normal' of hope and prosperity for the future. Our ship of state is now heading back in the right direction.
Congressman Bruce Poliquin also commended the President for his speech, stating:
Tonight, the President reminded lawmakers of both parties that Americans want a government that works. Lawmakers serve not as Republicans or Democrats, but as representatives of the American People. We need to work together—Democrats and Republicans—to solve the most serious challenges our Nation faces...I am as determined as ever to work across the aisle to protect Seniors’ earned Social Security benefits, grow Maine jobs, fight illegal trade, stand up for our Veterans, combat the opioid epidemic, and work every day for our Maine families.
Economy grows and wages go up... AGAIN
The economy grew 200,000 jobs and wages went up in January, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Job growth accelerated in January, the government reported Friday, giving President Donald Trump a boost following his State of the Union Address. The Labor Department reported that the economy added 200,000 new jobs, up from 160,000 in December...
The numbers also lend credence to Trump's claim during his address Tuesday that wages are beginning to rise under his leadership after months of stagnation with the economy nearing full employment. Wages in January rose to 2.9 percent over the previous year, compared to 2.7 percent in December, the largest year-over-year wage increase since June, 2009.
Poliquin bill to prevent & combat fraud against seniors passes the House
Congressman Bruce Poliquin’s Senior Safe Act—a bipartisan bill to help identify, report, and stop financial abuse of Seniors passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week, moving one step closer to becoming law.
Recent studies estimate nearly 20% of American seniors may be a target of financial fraud or abuse. Even when financial institutions suspect abuse, the abuse may go unpunished. This occurs because current laws lack the necessary flexibility to allow financial institutions to report suspected abuse to authorities.
Congressman Poliquin’s Senior Safe Act encourages individuals and financial institutions to report suspected instances of fraud and elder financial abuse. It also incentivizes firms to train employees to identify and stop financial fraud, helps law enforcement track down financial criminals who target seniors by enabling banks, credit unions, investment advisors, broker-dealers, and other financial service providers to better communicate with appropriate agencies when they suspect financial exploitation of Seniors.
Poliquin votes to give pay raise to service members
Congressman Poliquin is once again standing up for our service men and women who fight everyday to keep us safe. This time he’s doing so by supporting the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2018, a funding measure that will give American troops a 2.4% pay raise
The funding measure will allot a total of $659.2 billion dollars for a full year of funding for the Department of Defense, which helps restore readiness shortfalls and invests in our troops by ensuring they’re properly trained and have the equipment they need to address ongoing threats.
Congressman Poliquin had this to say regarding his support of the bill:
This is all about keeping America safe and supporting our men and women in uniform who sacrifice to defend her... We must always ensure that our Armed Forces worldwide have the support and capabilities they need to defend America.
Congressman Poliquin deserves a huge thank you. He has earned the reputation of being one of the most hard-working members of Congress, fighting every day for our elderly, our veterans, and all of us.
Janet Mills endorsed by extreme pro-abortion group
Yesterday, Maine Attorney General and Democrat gubernatorial candidate Janet Mills was endorsed by one of the largest national groups promoting abortions, EMILY's List.
In response, Maine GOP Chair Dr. Demi Kouzounas had this to say:
We all know abortion is no laughing matter. But apparently Janet Mills didn't get the memo. Speaking to a crowd of Democrats in 2014, Mills made the following attempt at humor at our Governor's expense, stating: 'I heard Paul LePage say he's dead set against abortion because he was one of eighteen children after all.'
Demi continued:
What did [Mills] even mean? Maybe you can help us figure it out.
Janet Mills' bizarre comment was followed by applause and many cackles from the crowd. That is sad.
This is what we are up against--people who do not even take the issue of abortion seriously.
Regardless of where one stands on the issue, most people on both sides of it take it very seriously. Even Mainers who are pro-choice thoughtfully believe abortion should be rare, not something to celebrate and joke about.
Whether you, your family, and your friends want Maine's next Governor to be someone who makes jokes about abortion (even bad ones), is something we hope you will consider and encourage others to consider as well.
It's caucus season!
The New England Patriots are in the Super Bowl this Sunday and the Red Sox will be starting up again soon, but did you know it is also caucus season?
Caucuses give Maine Republicans the opportunity to gather, hear from candidates, make plans for the 2018 Republican State Convention, and organize for upcoming elections.
While Maine law requires that every political party hold caucuses, Republican Party rules require that caucuses be held so that Republicans can participate at the State Convention and, if necessary, select replacement candidates.
Will you be participating in your local caucus? We hope so. For more information, please go to http://www.mainegop.com/caucus.html.
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