April 27, 2012

AUGUSTA - Residents of State Rep. Aaron Libby's legislative district expressed strong support for the east-west highway feasibility study, for efforts to prevent unemployment insurance abuse and for welfare reform. They also would reject the bond initiatives that have been proposed.

Those were some of the results of a constituent survey mailed to residents of District 139, which includes Waterboro and part of Lyman. "I'm grateful for all those who took the time to complete the survey," said...

April 13, 2012

AUGUSTA - House Republican leaders say the workers' compensation reform passed today will better protect workers, provide a more predictable system for employers and reduce drawn-out litigation that saps the resources of employees injured on the job.

The bill, LD 1913, passed on a 75-71 party line after extensive debate on the House floor.

"This is the first reform of workers' comp since the McKernan reforms of 1992," said Rep. Andre Cushing (R-Hampden). "It is time that we modernize...

April 9, 2012

AUGUSTA - Flanked by members of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee, Governor LePage today signed into law a measure that could bring insurance relief to farmers, beekeepers, sugar house operators and others who open their property for "agritourism" activities.

The bill, LD 1605, provides limited liability protection for landowners who post signs stating that visitors accept the "inherent risks" of the activity. Maine already has similar statutes for such activities as ski...

April 2, 2012

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives today passed a measure that could bring insurance relief to farmers, beekeepers, sugar house operators and others who open their property for "agritourism" activities.

The bill, LD 1605, which passed 115-26, provides limited liability protection for landowners who post signs stating that visitors accept the "inherent risks" of the activity. Maine already has similar statutes for such inherently risky activities as skiing and horseback riding. Th...

January 11, 2012

Heating assistance cuts threaten lower-income Mainers

By Rep. Aaron Libby

The battle is being fought in Washington, but the casualties are right here in Maine and other cold-weather states. The issue is LIHEAP - the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

After huge cuts to the program by President Obama, Maine Senator Olympia Snowe took to the ramparts to get the funding restored. She succeeded partially, but full restoration hinges on a bill that she and several other senato...

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

AUGUSTA - Legislation to limit the liability of "pick your own" farms in Maine has been cleared by legislative leaders for consideration by the entire Legislature when it convenes in January.

The bill, LR 2516, would protect farm owners who welcome the public, for a small fee, onto their farms to pick apples, berries, vegetables, pumpkins, Christmas trees, and other goods straight from the source.

"These farms are popular family and tourist destinations and many have been forced to c...

May 17, 2011

AUGUSTA - The Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry today heard testimony regarding a bill to abolish the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) and transfer its rule-making authority to county governments.

The legislation, LD 1534, is "An Act To Reform the Land Use and Planning Authority in the Unorganized Territories." The bill's sponsor, Rep. Jeff Gifford (R-Lincoln), said the measure, if passed, would free up landowners to make productive use of their property. "This would be ...

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...

February 4, 2011

AUGUSTA - State Rep. Aaron Libby has taken up his duties on the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology, which will put him in position to shape legislation on a range of issues, from energy conservation and the natural gas industry to cable TV services.

Rep. Libby (R-Waterboro), a first-term legislator, said he is pleased with his committee assignment. "Energy is central to our way of life," he said. "I'm interested in learning more about the state's future energy sup...