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...

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 25, 2011

By Senator David Trahan and Representative Jonathan McKane

Most working people agree: Maine's taxes are still too high. Over the past several decades, we have seen little more than lip service paid to the pleas of the people for a real tax break. Last year's tax reform plan was overwhelmingly rejected by voters in a people's veto by a landslide margin of 61 percent. Voters figured out that it actually would have increased revenues to the state. That could hardly be called tax relief.

A ...

February 7, 2011

By Rep. Jonathan McKane

Much hay has been made by environmental groups lately over the release of the governor's so-called reform "proposals." This is hardly surprising; these proposals, if passed by the Maine House and Senate, would alter some of the most aggressive environmental laws that Maine has enacted over the past decade.

The governor's proposals stemmed from the many "red tape" listening sessions held by Chamber of Commerce groups over the past two months and from suggestions comi...

February 3, 2011

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Joint Select Committee on Regulatory Fairness and Reform will hold two meetings in southern Maine early this month to collect examples of onerous and excessive regulation. The meetings are open to the public.

On Monday, Feb. 7, the committee will convene at Sanford Town Hall, at 919 Main Street in Sanford. The session will begin at 1 p.m.

The other meeting will take place at Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at Howe Hall, Room 30...

December 21, 2010

AUGUSTA - State Rep. Jonathan McKane has been appointed co-chair of a new, 15-member select committee created to study Maine's regulatory system and propose changes to help improve the state's business environment.

The panel, formally named the Committee on Regulatory Fairness and Reform, will work in concert with Governor-elect Paul LePage to draft legislation and bring their proposals before the Legislature.

The Senate co-chair is Sen. Jon Courtney (R-York County), recently elected a...