It appears that spring is finally here. The phlox in one of my flower gardens is already is bloom!

In this e-newsletter, I want to share with you information about funds that are available to homeowners in Maine. This is very important information. Many of these programs have been funded by the Federal Government and we have been asked to spread the word!

Have a great day!

Maine Housing’s Weatherization Program

MaineHousing’s Weatherization Program and Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP) provide grants to low-income homeowners and renters to reduce energy costs by improving home energy efficiency.

Weatherization improvements may include insulation, weatherstripping, caulking, and some safety-related repairs. CHIP grants may be used to repair or replace central heating systems.

Many people do not check out these programs because they believe they make too much income. I have a friend in Lisbon who lives alone. Maine Housing was able to help her with an energy audit and new roof. Check it out, this may be the help that you have been searching for.

You can find out the income guidelines and more information on this program here… Maine Housing’s Weatherization Program

Maine Housing’s Home Repair or Replacement Program

Maine Housing’s Home Repair Program provides help to low-income homeowners you cannot afford necessary home repairs. For eligible homeowners, the Maine Home Repair Program can assist with such things as:

• Wells and septic system repairs or replacements
• Heating and electrical system repairs
• Roof and chimney repairs
• Structural repairs
• Lead paint mitigation
• Repair or replacement of windows and doors
• Energy efficiency improvements
• Repair or replacement of siding
• Handicap accessibility improvements
• Other health and safety repairs

Maine Housing’s Appliance Replacement Program

The Appliance Replacement Program helps low-income people to reduce their energy costs by replacing older refrigerators and other home appliances that are inefficient and expensive to operate. The Appliance Replacement Program is made possible with funding from Efficiency Maine, a program of the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Through this program they also help you to review all your household energy expenses and show you how to save money by making your home more energy efficient.

Find out more about this program here.

The short session of the Maine Legislature has adjourned. It has been a very busy four months. I am looking forward to slowing the pace of my life down just a little bit!

I hope you had an enjoyable Easter. Next week is school vacation. I know my kids are really looking forward to it! I am sure yours are too!

The weather has been great. My lawn is raked and I am ready to get outside and have some fun before campaign season in the late summer and fall.

Enjoy the nice spring weather!

Only One Week Left for Maine Clean Elections Contributions! Can You Help?

I am running as a Maine Clean Elections candidate. To do this, I must collect sixty 5.00 donations by April 21st.

Each 5.00 contribution goes a long way to ensure that I have the campaign materials I need this upcoming fall.

Can you help? If you can, please visit the website below to contribute or give me a call and I can stop by and pick up a personal check….
https://www5.informe.org/cgi-bin/online/ethics/cleanelection/home.pl

Thank you so much for your support!

Bond Package to Help Keep and Create Jobs for Maine is Passed on April 12th

On April 12th, the last day of the Legislature’s short session, we passed a bond package.

In total the package will result in the protection and creation of nearly 3,000 jobs. Additionally, we will likely see a multiplier effect of jobs and growth around key provisions such as the Portland ship berth, the dental school and the wind energy fund. These are investments that will help secure our economy for the future.

The bond package is financially responsible. Maine has a conservative bonding record, strong credit, and track record of quickly repaying debt. Opponents say this bond package is mortgaging our childrens future and that we keep piling debt on top of debt. In reality, Maine has a low debt burden and pays its debts quickly.

• According to Standard and Poor’s, Maine has a …”Favorable debt position with a low debt burden and rapid amortization of debt outstanding.”
• The state has a “AA” bond rating from Standard and Poor’s, which is defined as “very strong capacity to meet financial commitments.”
• According to Standard and Poor’s, Maine has the lowest debt levels in all of New England, with 1 percent personal income accounting for our tax supported debt.
• According to Moody’s, Maine ranks 33rd in terms of debt per capita.
• Maine is also 28th among states when you consider debt as a percentage of personal income.
• In this biennium Maine will payoff $168.1M in debt.
• Even considering that $78M in already authorized debt will be issued, this $85M package allows us to retire $5.1M more debt than we issue.
• Under even the most aggressive draw schedule (when we borrow and spend bonds) debt service is less than 5 percent of total General Fund, Highway Fund and Revenue Sharing revenues
• Maine’s total debt for General Obligation Bonds is $507.7M. Debt service for this package is $2.1M

The current package gives careful analysis to how the entire state can succeed and what ideas will appeal to the majority of voters who will ultimately decide its fate in June.

Pastor Chet and His Son Visit the Capital

On Thursday, April 1st, Pastor Chet Garrison and his son were my guests at the Capital.

Pastor Chet did the morning prayer at the start of our daily session and was the House Chaplain for the day. His son sang the National Anthem for us all.

They both did a wonderful job and I was very honored to have them as my guests!

This week is the public hearing for my bill An Act to Clarify the Communications of Public Bodies. This bill is getting a lot of attention throughout the state. It is quite contentious. The bill defines what an e-mail meeting is and also deals with bullying/coercing on the municipal and state level. This is a very important issue that needs to be dealt with now. Read what the Sun Journal published about my bill here (Under the Dome - e-mail counts): http://www.sunjournal.com/node/784973

Did you know that if you earned less than $57,000 in 2009, you can file your taxes for free on the IRS website? Here is the link…

http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html?portlet=8

I hope you all are well and enjoying the short stretch of warm weather. I hear we are in for a cold weekend.

This weekend Democratic Caucuses will be held throughout the state. If you are a Democrat, please plan on attending a local caucus. It is an interesting experience. Caucuses will be this Sunday, January 31st.

Greene – 5pm to 7pm @ Greene Fire Station, 106 Patton Road- Wes Sirois  946-4047

Sabattus – 3pm to 5pm @ Sabattus Town Hall 190 Middle Road-Norm Laplante 375-4006

Last year, the local Republican Caucus was in February. I could not find any information listed on when the local Republican Caucuses will be held this year.

In the next two weeks, the Maine Public Utilities Commission will be holding expert witness hearings in Augusta on Central Maine Power’s (CMP) proposal to expand their transmission network in Maine. The hearings will start at 9am each day and be held on February 2nd-5th and 9th-12th at the Commission’s Hallowell offices on 101 Second Street. At the hearings, expert witnesses for CMP and intervenors will be cross-examined on their previously-filed testimony in the case, and will respond to questions from Commissioners and staff and other parties. These hearings are not a forum for public input, although the public can attend the hearings except when witnesses are asked questions about protected or confidential information. If you are a resident of Greene who is affected by the CMP MPRP, this may be of interest to you.

I hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful 40 degree weather today. It sure was nice out! Today I attended Barbara Nelson’s 100th birthday party at the Meadow’s in Greene. What a great turnout! Barbara is quite a lady. She was a captain in the armed forces in World War II. Barbara is a very special and classy lady. I am honored that I was able to be there. Senator Nutting and I presented her with a legislative sentiment and she was very excited. Peter Ogden of Maine Veteran Services was also there and he presented her with a certificate from his organization and the Governor. (Sorry the photos aren’t very good. The curtain was open and there was a lot of backlighting.)

On Friday, January 8th, I attended a press conference in the Governor’s office. The press conference was on the new Home Performance Program. If you have plans to make your home more energy efficient now is the time. You can read more about this program here… http://www.efficiencymaine.com/residential_programs_mhp.htm

If you are a senior citizen and you are looking to weatherize your home, there are two programs that you may qualify for. One is a grant program and the other is a loan program. These two programs are offered through the USDA Rural Development program. For more information, please contact John Darling at 753-9400 for more information or program guidelines.

Recently, I read an interesting letter in the Sun Journal Sun Spots. The letter was about Maine’s consumer protection law. Did you know that Maine has a very strong law that provides an implied warranty for every consumer product purchased in Maine? As long as the product has not been abused, is within its normally expected life and is not used commercially, both the seller and manufacturer are obligated to remedy any serious defect of any product (except used cars) within four years of it date of purchase. More details on this law can be found at http://www.maine.gov/ag/consumer/index.shtml. Check it out.

The Legislature has been revving up slowly. Right now, we are completing committee work. Appropriations has been in the news a lot because of proposed cuts to Health and Human Services programs. The Labor Committee had a busy day on Thursday with the paid sick days bill. It is going to be a tough session. Please contact me with any concerns you may have on the issues. I enjoy hearing from you.