Statement of Attorney General Janet T. Mills Regarding TABOR II Proponents' Press Conference

October 26, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 26, 2009

Contact: Kate Simmons (207) 626-8577

Statement of Attorney General Janet T. Mills Regarding TABOR II Proponents' Press Conference

Taking everything the pro-Tabor lobbyists have said at face value, the paper work dropped off at the Attorney General?s Office after the TABOR II proponents' press conference this morning shows that:

A private sector lobbyist requested and organized a meeting for representatives of private business groups with the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.

The meeting agenda focused on the impact of ?Tabor II? on the construction industry, road engineers and the Maine economy generally.

A summary of the impact of Tabor II was prepared by a legislative staffer and was the principal talking point of the meeting.

Inquiries made by the professional staff of this office of attendees at the meeting revealed that no discussions or actions of an illegal or inappropriate nature occurred during the meeting.

Such meetings between private citizens, members of the business community with individual legislators, with committee chairs and with members of leadership of either party, to discuss the impact of particular legislation, including initiated bills, on their businesses is not unlawful and is, in fact, commonplace.

There is no indication either in the materials provided or in follow-up interviews that any laws were broken by any party.

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