March 26, 2012

AUGUSTA - Drug addicts receiving taxpayer-funded methadone treatments will need special authorization to continue treatment beyond 24 months, under a bill now moving to the full Legislature.

The Health and Human Services Committee yesterday passed LD 1840, which stipulates that MaineCare members getting methadone at clinics will need advance authorization to continue past the two-year mark. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will work with experts in the field of substance ...

March 5, 2012

House Republican Office

March 5, 2012

For more information:

Jay Finegan, 287-1445

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUSTA - State Rep. David Burns has been named to Maine's Substance Abuse Services Commission. This 21-member group, created in 1993, serves as a bridge between the Office of Substance Abuse, Maine citizens and elected officials regarding the issues of prevention, research, identification and treatment.

The appointment was made by House Speaker Robert Nutting.

"I'...

February 22, 2012

House Republican Office

February 17, 2012

For more information:

Jay Finegan, 287-1445

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tree Growth Study Bill Gets Unanimous Committee Approval

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Taxation Committee on Feb. 15 unanimously approved LD 1470, a bill to ensure the proper administration of Maine's Tree Growth Tax Law.

For decades, the program has offered tax abatements to landowners who harvest timber on their land in accordance with an approved harvesting p...

February 10, 2012

House Republican Office

February 10, 2012

For more information:

Jay Finegan, 287-1445

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Huge savings spring from Maine Turnpike investigation

AUGUSTA - Last year's investigation of waste and abuse at the Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) has ultimately created a better-managed agency that can operate at a greatly reduced cost, according to State Rep. David Burns.

Rep. Burns (R-Whiting), the House chair of the Government Oversight Committee, says the...

January 27, 2012

House Republican Office

January 27, 2012

For more information:

Jay Finegan, 287-1445

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

'Watchdog' agency to review finances of Housing Authority

AUGUSTA - The legislative committee responsible for government oversight today ordered an investigation into the finances of the Maine State Housing Authority (MSHA).

The Government Oversight Committee tasked the non-partisan Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA) with conduct...

November 30, 2011

House Republican Office

November 21, 2011

For more information:

Jay Finegan, 287-1445

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ray Wallace sworn in as Legislature's newest member

AUGUSTA - State Rep. Ray Wallace was sworn into office today by Governor Paul LePage after winning a special election to fill a vacant seat in House District 24.

Rep. Wallace (R-Dexter) said he was motivated to run for office by the reform agenda championed by the Republican majorities in the House and Senate...

November 15, 2011

Nobody expected the new health insurance law to yield benefits immediately. Some parts of the reform haven't even gone into effect yet, and fixing Maine's dysfunctional system will take time. For Sam Marcisso, however, the law seems to be working just fine.

Earlier this year, his insurance agent told him to brace for a 15 percent premium hike when he renewed the policy for his small company. Marcisso runs Pine State Services, a South Portland company that does plumbing, heating and air cond...

May 5, 2011

AUGUSTA - Landmark legislation to revamp Maine's health insurance market cleared a critical hurdle today in the House of Representatives by a vote of 76-72. The measure, designed to generate more competition and bring rates closer to national norms, now moves to the Senate. Final enactment votes in both bodies could come as early as next week.

"The people of our state are the winners today," said House Speaker Robert Nutting. "For years, reasonable proposals to fix a dysfunctional health insur...

April 21, 2011

By Rep. David Burns

Significant income tax cuts are on the way for Maine residents, marking the first time in years that taxes will drop.

Under a $203 million tax reduction plan passed by the Taxation Committee on April 13, income tax cuts would average $343 in 2013. This is the kind of economic stimulus we will need to fuel business activity and spark job creation. We're not talking about a one-time deal, either. The reforms make permanent structural changes to the state's tax system. <...

April 4, 2011

By Rep. David Burns

No one has been more surprised than me by the criticism I have received for sponsoring LD 1346, An Act to Enhance Access to the Workplace by Minors. I am amazed by the extremely negative and sometimes ludicrous and hysterical comments and articles this bill has prompted.

Did any of the critics read the bill or even the title? Or did you just read an editorial from someone looking for another "controversial" issue?

The intent of offering this legislation was not to ...

March 29, 2011

AUGUSTA - State Rep. David Burns has extended his thanks to Washington County businesses that helped make this year's Legislative Memorial Scholarship Auction a rousing success. The event, held March 16 at the Augusta Civic Center, netted $27,170, an increase of $3,606 over last year's proceeds.

Rep. Burns (R-Whiting) said four companies in his House district donated items for the auction. Bluebird Ranch restaurant in Machias donated a gift basket. Helen's restaurant, also of Machias, donat...

January 12, 2011

AUGUSTA- State Rep. David Burns has been named House chair of the Government Oversight Committee, putting him in a position to influence the direction of audits by a government watchdog agency -- the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA).

Rep. Burns (R-Whiting), a retired Maine State Police detective, also will serve on the Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. The panel has jurisdiction over a wide range of state operations, including the ...