AUGUSTA, Maine — Sen. Debra Plowman, R-Hampden, says there are a significant number of Mainers filing for rent relief under the state circuit breaker program who are not paying their rent and she wants to close that loophole. Others are not sure it’s a problem.
“What we have going on now is that people are getting the help to pay rent from the circuit breaker program but they are behind on their rent and the landlord gets stuck,” she said. “It’s wrong and we should fix it.”
Plowman said the current law requires Maine Revenue Services to make sure a person applying for rent relief under the program is renting. The agency also has to check what the rent amount is, but not that the person is up to date on the rent, she said.
The purpose of the program is to help both renters and homeowners affected by high property taxes as measured as a percentage of their income. Plowman said landlords are “ripped off” when they do not get the rent payments they expect from tenants.
“That is what the program was set up to do, to help with the high property tax burden in some areas of the state,” she said. “This gets around that and needs to be stopped.”
Plowman believes the problem is widespread. She said when she explained a bill she is proposing at a GOP Senate caucus, several people gave examples of what she called a loophole in the law.
“Legislative aides stood up and said, ‘My senator has that problem, my senator has that problem, my senator has that problem,’” she said. “It was amazing how many people without us knowing it had similar complaints from landlords.”
Plowman said her bill would require a notarized letter from a landlord saying a person’s rent was up to date as part of the application process for rent relief. She said the application could not be processed without that letter.
But Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham said in an email that he has “not seen data to suggest that there is a problem here that needs to be solved.” He is the lead Democrat on the Taxation Committee that will consider the bill.
He said he would have to be convinced the legislation is needed and that it did not undermine the goal of helping those hit directly, or indirectly, by a community’s high property taxes.
“Not letting our most burdened taxpayers use their refund for past due rent payments would defeat this purpose, and lead to more unpaid bills and unnecessary evictions,” he wrote.
Berry is worried the measure would be a continuation of the tax code “going in the wrong direction” set last year by the tax changes adopted by lawmakers. He said to save the state $22 million a year, the maximum payment under the program was reduced.
“There are many major loopholes in Maine law, but this is not one of them,” he said. “One real loophole is the double dip, which allows companies to be reimbursed hundreds of thousands of dollars for taxes which they literally never paid and never will pay.”
Berry said while his first impression of the proposal is negative, he is confident it will get a full hearing by the committee. He said there are a number of other tax bills before the panel and that it will be a busy session for the committee.
Rep. Gary Knight, R-Livermore Falls, the committee co-chairman, agrees. He said he supports Plowman’s bill because he has heard from House members of similar incidents of renters gaming the system.
“Will this be a high priority? Not as high as others, probably,” he said. “We have got the budget coming in that’s going to be loaded with tax situations, the pension relief bill.”
Knight said the $93 million proposal by Gov. Paul LePage to eliminate the tax on pension income will occupy a lot of committee time. He said he supports the goal of the bill, even though its cost may mean it has to be phased in and not implemented all at once.
Knight and Berry agree that the panel will face a lot of work this session both from carry-over bills from last year, as well as new proposals such as Plowman’s bill.
What can Plowman be thinking. The intention of the program is to assist those eligible applicants, and there are over 200,000 of them, not landlords. If she is going to require notarized letters from landlords, then she better amend the bill to reflect that eligible property tax payer’s have to provide a notarized letter from their towns that their property taxes are paid up. And no, this isn’t a “freebee” , it’s intentional design was to assist those working family’s preserve their homes and rentals.
It doesn’t make sense. If they are not current on rent or property taxes, there is an obvious reason why. If for anything, this would provide further proof that they need the circuit breaker program to help thwart off municipal action or eviction. Without any doubt, the landlord’s interests should be maintained by the landlord themselves, not the taxpayers. If he or she is not getting their rent, evict them according to the law. It’s not like they are getting screwed, with this proposal, they will be screwing themselves by refusing to state that the rent is current, the tenant will get upset and move and create a landlord’s worst nightmare……a vacancy.
I don’t know where she is getting this from, it would create just another bureaucratic nightmare, delay any assistance, and simply help no one but the landlords. Typical Plowman, closing what she thinks is a loophole which impacts low to lower middle classes and simply ignoring company’s that get similar yet larger refunds without actually paying any taxes up front. I’m glad she is termed out this year.
She should also provide funding for the cost of all of those notarized letters, otherwise it should be considered a tax on recipients and rejected.
She should lose a percentage of her benefits when she steps down based on the number of crazy bills she has pushed.
I think you are on to something. One of the problems with the Maine legislature is the thousands of bills they discuss and vote on each session.
We need a citizens’ initiative that sets a reasonable maximum on the number of bills each legislator may introduce that cuts their health insurance subsidy by 5% (now and through retirement as well) for each additional one!
Brilliant
I know someone that was behind on property tax payments due to financial hardships created by becoming disabled. I told her to apply for this program. She found out that she did not qualify because she was behind on her property tax payments. So apparently, this is not a loophole for property owners. They seem to already have a mechanism in place for ensuring that people unable to pay their property tax are not given assistance.
I think the solution to the problem Plowman spoke of and my friend’s problem, would be to require recipients that are behind on their obligations to have the funds given directly to the entity to which it is owed. In my friend’s case, that would mean the town would have gotten some of the property tax money and her obligation to them would have been reduced by the amount of the assistance. In the case of the landlords Plowman is speaking of, they will get at least some of their money from these tenants.
There is no way I’m going to have a tax refund based upon the applicant’s eligibility go directly to the person who did not pay those taxes. Would you?
If a landlord isn’t getting his rent, evict them. He is protected by law, and any landlord knows how to do it. As far as I can see, the only thing the program requires as it regards property taxes, is that the applicant provide a copy of the property tax bill, with their name on it. I don’t see any restrictions as to whether or not the bill is actually paid.
Perhaps your friend was misinformed, or confused.
http://www.maine.gov/revenue/forms/tnr/11_T&R_downloadable.pdf
These are the instructions and guidelines. They clearly do not refer to any delinquent property tax restriction. It’s simply; 4% of your annual income towards property taxes, or 20% towards rent. Sorry, but your wrong.
Thanks for the link,
It should be noted that the questions on the line ask What was “paid ” for rent.
If someone recieving assiatance answers falsely they are subject to the same penalties as any other Tax Payer.
Requireing proof of payment to this class of people ‘only ‘ would be a discrimanitive practice of illegal search and siesure.
This is targeting the poorest segment of the population and not the richest.
I would like to add!
There is a Mindset in the Republican Tea Party that because “they” pay Taxes that the Money Transcends Control of the Life and Rights to the Recipeants of the Tax Benefit.
This is a violation of our 4th amendment rights against unreasonable search and siesure
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCszcknZb_Y
In this case the Target is People on Welfare generally being associated with drug use, abscent a warrant this is illegal.
These People are Extremely Dangerous!!!!!!!!
Well said, those who make broad sweeping generalizations that everyone on welfare is a lazy, drug using bum are the same people who lose it when a generalization that all conservatives are rich greedy businessmen is made. Neither one is right. The point I keep trying to make is that when a business screws up, sometimes because they were trying to exploit a loophole, just as some of the people are exploiting this loophole, they get millions of dollars, not hundreds. But it upsets people more when a poor person gets a few extra bucks than they were supposed to get than when a bank gets millions of dollars more than they were supposed to get. Same tax dollars, coming from the same source. But these businesses are evading more taxes through loopholes than any thousand people getting public assistance.
So now the State is a Collection Agency!
WOW!
Well said rusjan! What about people like me, who has a landlord that lives out of state? Not only that, then they will have to stop doing this program electronically……They will have to hire more people to go through all of the applications by hand. For the amount of money that people get back, it’s really not neccessary to scrutinize this program…….they need to worry about how much the druggies are screwing over the state with the various programs they are allowed to be “qualified” for!
“If she is going to require notarized letters from landlords, then she better amend the bill to reflect that eligible property tax payer’s have to provide a notarized letter from their towns that their property taxes are paid up.”
That’s an excellent point.
The short-sightedness of some Republicans is astounding.
They all suffer from myopic vision. The Le Page clan also suffers from a massive failure to communicate because they are on a much high level than ordinary Mainers. Anything affecting ordinary people – unemployed, workers, just getting by etc., is meat on the teapublican’s table. Their first year is an achievement attesting to their lack of compassion and humanity.
Of course it doesn’t make sense. No more than her attempts to boost business profits by having high school students kick out older workers by being permitted to work longer hours than those currently permitted.
Thanks for the reminder: We can say farewell and goodbye this year to another teapubican and their radical plan to upset Maine people every day as they fiddle in Augusta. Like the rest of her clan – not one single attempt to help people – just attack every day. Unsubstantiated charges – always mountainous fraud. No proof.
Good for Plowman, common sense would suggest that the people seeking a rebate on their rent actually be PAYING their rent. It always makes me laugh when you see the other side crying foul and trying to defend the “working class”. We all know its their code for the “non-working class” that we taxpayers are subsidizing.
So who pays for the extra costs involved? Do we tax all rent payments or just require this extra cost for the lowest income renters?
It’s a classic scr*w the little guy proposal.
Come on man….You can’t even apply for this program until August of the following year. Any landlord who lets their tenants go in arrears that far isn’t paying attention and probably needs more than Plowwoman to collect for them.
Sometimes it takes over 2 yrs. to get someone out no matter what! I know. I had a neighbor who didn’t pay anything and trashed a really nice place. Inside and out.
First, despite the concern by the good Senator, let’s not make mountains out of mole hills. Let’s see some stats before burdening a large segment of the state’s population – those who pay rent and pay it on time – with additional paperwork.
Second. In addition to more paperwork for the renter, what she is suggesting requires more time and labor for state employees to process that paperwork; hence, bigger government – which I know all you conservatives out there absolutely “love”.
Uh, the program is designed to help people pay their rent. You’re not helping them by withholding the aid they need. Besides, as someone else has pointed out, the program provides funds for rent paid the year before. If someone is that far behind, the landlord already has legal recourse to seek an eviction and payment.
Furthermore, the proposal to withhold funds until the landlord produces a notarized letter unfairly burdens the landlord by requiring additional paperwork, it probably would result in giving some landlords an excuse to raise rent, and it would have the potential to unfairly deprive renters of funds while being at the mercy of the landlord.
In short, it would just add more red tape and regulations. I thought Republicans were against these things?
The program does not help people pay their rent. The person receives a one time check for a few hundred (if that) dollars. The program also isn’t just for people who rent, it’s for people who own their own home and pay property taxes. So, do the people who pay taxes have to have a notorized letter, too, showing they are up to date on their property taxes??
I know I own the Mobile Home and they pay all the rent, taxes, etc. I just include a note to that effect and sign it. They only get around 200.00. But at 93 and 89, anything helps as they’re living on a low income.
The red tape has been there for a long time now. I’m my Mom & Dad’s caregiver and I know all about red tape that’s been in place now for a long time.
Good points, Ryan. Whether or not people are up-to-date on their rent is none of the state’s business when it comes to the refund.
Where there is abuse, however, is in people who have General Assistance pay their rent. These people apply for this program and get $500 checks for money they never paid in rent. I’m all for helping people out but this is a blatent rip-off.
Actually, people who use general assistance to pay rent will not get a refund.
I was an over the road truck driver for 14 years…worked my butt off and caused irreversible damage to my back and neck …I payed HEFTY taxes till my disability kicked in and still I have to fight for this kind of help. The state of Maine needs to look at the people who are assigned the job of doling out relief $$ and be sure that they are going to give it to those who truly need it instead of slipping a check to their cousins and friends. Ive seen it done…I know people who do it, and I have complained. But to no avail. So for the 2011-2012 winter months I am adding only a quarter tank of fuel per month to my tank and keeping the heat at 58 degrees so the 24 yr olds who CAN work(but dont) can get their relief from Aunty.
Here is a little loophole for ya!
The Landlord knows the renter is getting relief because you require him to sign an affidavit,
he adjusts the rent in offset.
The State is now subsidising the landlord!
So maybe affidavits should be sent out for every tax deduction that you claim on your income tax form verifying that you actually did pay what you said that you paid!
Or is it that poor people are the “only” cheats and liars!
I agree, and I also think that they need to check into the Hope House, and other shelters where people are sending in the rent rebates and GETTING them, some of them don’t even pay rent, they live in those places rent free, but they have “friends” who forge the landlords name, etc on information that is needed for these folks to get the rebate. I know this as I have heard several people who live in the Hope House in Bangor, on the rent free side, that they get rent rebates, and I can’t believe that they can do this. Nice for the ones of us who really do pay rent and use this money to get ahead with our rent/
I agree totally. This is Fraud! This is why things need to be verified and if I can verify, others can also.
The you should testify at the hearing.
Seems like there is a problem id landlords have brought it to her attention. Why not have the landlord send a copy of the billing that is due and have the check written to the landlord for what is owed and the balance can go to the person. If they are paying right along there is no problem. If they own a ton of money than it should go to the landlord that has been providing services and not getting paid. I am sure that the landlord would be willing to pay a service fee in order to get caught up.
All you sherkers out there beware. It should not be a dirty word to stop sherkers from screwing landlords.
“sherkers”?
What are sherkers?
Aren’t those the guys who lead expeditions up mount everest?
TENZING NORGAY … hopefully will be running for her vacant senate seat.
Crap, that’s right, Sir Edmund Hillary called him a “slacker”…..Sorry imagine that, a sherking sherpa…..wow, I wonder if his rent is paid? I also wonder? When they arrived at the summit of Everest, if Paul LePage was sitting on top in a grinch outfit.
I’m a landlord. I find you and the people who agree with you to be far more offensive than my worst tenant. Don’t help me. I belong to the state and local landlord associations and I’ll tell you right now, Plowman is a screwball. None of this is happening or affecting landlords. What’s affecting us is vacancies and people losing their jobs. LIHEAP funding cuts are hitting us hard too.
The landlord should never get stuck. People need to be responsible. That said, I am all for helping elderly that need help with oil and food.
I hate seeing low income apartments going to women with children whom loose their children.(No offspring living in apartment) The state allows her to keep her apartments assuming she will be getting her children back. She goes in and out of jail. Gets to keep the apartment, don’t grow up, no job. Move boyfriend of week in, he lives for free off her. Her mom keeps offspring. They party, this goes on for years! She keeps apartment for dallors. While the rest of us pay taxes to keep a roof on their heads, heat and food in their bellies.
I couldn’t have said it any better! I’m so sick of the abuse and no accountability and it’s been going on for years.
This sounds important.
Is there someplace a study with numbers and things rather than talking points from either side? Math is hard, but it is oh-so-useful. And show your work – total costs, for instance.As it stands, it reads as “Are So!” and “Am Not”.
Amazing, and you thought the Democrats had nothing to do…who gives a crap if someone is behind on their rent, just because tax dollars is keeping her bank account full does not mean the same applies for everyone else. This program does not provide that much money, if people fell that behind to the point of not paying and they are intentionally doing so, they’d be evicted before the paperwork is filed for this program.
Lets police people and their paychecks now, let’s make sure they buy groceries, pay their bills, loans, etc. Let’s just have the Gov’t nanny the money around. The amount of money one receives from the program depends on what you made on income and to verify the amount of rent you pay.
I do have to wonder if Rep. Plowman is a landlord herself…
I’m a landlord. I’m clever enough to know that tenants who are resourceful and know the welfare system pay their rent. If they were behind on rent I’d want them to get the circuit breaker money so they could hopefully catch up, or at least do the best they can.
Someone hopefully will raise that question when she appears before the committee and presents a truck load of evidence to back up her claims – just like Charlie Summers and Le Page.
Does the good senator have any hard evidence for her assertion or is this another of the Charlie Summers, Maine Policy Heritage Center, Maine Republican Party juggernaut?en
If there is no evidence, then perhaps the “good” representatives can get together and solve the problems that we DO have, rather than wasting everyone’s time and money.
Well… considering so many “poor” people seem to be able to afford video gaming systems, big screen TVs, Air Jordan sneakers, cigarettes, and alcohol yet are not paying their rent, I could conclude that the aid is not being used for its intended purpose.
Poor people? The circuit breakers guideline cap is almost $65,000.
Stop stereotyping people that are struggling or eligible. And it’s wrong to use a program in which an applicant paid taxes, was qualified and eligible to receive a refund, and then told that the refund is being sent to a potential debtor. How do you or anyone know that at the time the refund is awarded, they are still behind? You don’t.
You can’t apply for this program until August of the following tax year. Any landlord who lets their tenants go that far in arrears needs more than Plowwoman to collect for them.
Exactly Chris……And although I can’t prove it, yet…… I’ll bet that Plowman’s PDQ Doors and family have rental properties.
Too bad they not also a solar energy panel manufacturer.
“Stop stereotyping people that are struggling or eligible. These Welfare Cases wouldn’t be struggling if the Maine Democrat Party did their jobs instead of driving the economy off the cliff. Instead of worrying about bringing good jobs and new businesses. Them fixing our awful roads and bridges, failing and crumbling schools, lowering taxes for everyone. They worried about buying votes so they can be re-elected. They worried about protecting the Welfare Bums, Special Interest Buddies and Ex Democrat Politicians (Angus King, Dennis Bailey, Kurt Adams) filling their pockets at the expense of working Mainers. This program like all their pet programs and welfare programs need to be eliminated noone should be subsidized with our tax dollars. The Democrats are good for blowing smoke, spewing ignorant failed liberal talking points and picking people’s pockets driving them to the poor house.
Way to go darkcat33, you tell ’em. I totally agree with everything you’ve said. Unfortunately, those of us that live north of the border (Augusta that is) don’t stand a whole lot of chances to get the numbers needed to start things moving when it comes voting time. However, at least they will hopefully get the point that northern Maine is still in the picture when they want a paycheck.
What in the world does northern Maine still being in the picture have to do with property and rental tax refunds? And for your information, northern Maine is geographically considered from Houlton on up. Millinocket isn’t considered northern Maine.
If you might recall rusjan, there has been talk down thru the years of splitting up into 2 Maines. Due to the uneven population dispersment, Northern Me. would be north of Augusta. Then when it comes voting time, we in the North would have our Own Gov., Legislature,,,etc. and the Capital would be Bangor.
I know it’ll never happen but I was just trying to make a point that They in the big house don’t often consider us up here when it comes to decisions about vital issues, That’s all…Just MHO.
Have a nice day ! ;<)
Well, this program certainly applies to you now doesn’t it? And any law that is passed certainly applies to you doesn’t it? And it seems to me that we just reluctantly invested a hell of alot of money in buying a landfill, and helping a certain mill start back up didn’t we?
When it comes time to close down a portion of that landfill, or if there is ever an environmental lawsuit issue or accident, who’s pants are down then?
Yea, the area is all but forgotten.
Obviously you are upset about this issue but please don’t take it out on me. I was merely stating an observation and opinion, as far fetched as they may be. I in no ways intended to offend or stir up a bunch of emotions about something that I’m really not that informed about.
There are bigger fish to fry right now, like how Real people are totally destroying their lives with this Bath Salts junk. As a Former addict myself, I know their pain and the answer comes from within.
Nothing I can say or do will make these unfortunate hopeless souls want to change until They decide to start with facing their weakness truthfully, and daily decide that life is worth living without drugs.
Enough said about that I guess. I’m sure that there are opposing opinions out there concerning this, and I ready to hear them. Peace ! :<)
Nobody is a “former addict”. Whether it’s overeating, sex, drugs, alcohol, stimulants, narcotics, bennies, opiates, sadism, masochism, power, wealth, fame, popularity, beauty, or anything else that runs your life instead of you running your life, once an addict always an addict. An addict can become a recovering addict, but it’s kinda like the little boy who put his fingers in the dike. When he plugged one hole another emerged until all 20 digits were occupied and more leaks sprang out. You’ll think you’ve gotten rid of one addiction and another one or two will take it’s place so you’re still nowhere.
1st, I’m just wondering,,, what does 357NEezADK mean anyways? I don’t have a guess?!?
Please, let me be open and forthright, with all due respect,,, Don’t expect me to believe that old Psychobabble, alright? This whole “Addiction is a disease” line is just a load of Big Gov’t Brainwashing. The only thing this addictive disease scam does is ensure job security for the educated idiots with the sheepskin that makes Them believe they have a real purpose in life.
I’ve been chem/drug free for 34 years, and not once have I looked back wishing I was the Cool Dude in the Band saying, “Put it on my Tab.” What a lame way to live a life.
More people just need to realise that they should Grow Up & Stop blaming Mom/Dad for the idiotic “mistakes” that they decided to make in Grade/High School. It was Their Own choice to succumb to peer pressure so I can be Cool, Hip or really With It, WHATEVER ! Quit it with the Lame Excuses and get a life.
You can choose to drink the Kool-Aid and be a Victim of circumstances the rest of Your life. As for me…the Past is the Past, I can’t go back and change it and I don’t think I’d want to anyways.
My children are aware of the choices I made during the “Good Ole’ Days”, and I’ve used my past as a teaching point during their formative years. Thankfully they have Not chosen the same twisted past.
Well, what I’ve stated has worked for me and my family. I’m not about to throw out blanket statements just to prove a point, however, people need to understand that life is a trial, and at best we can decide to give up and go along with the crowd, OR, get off at the next stop and strike out on our own to search out what “MY” purpose is in life.
IF you have any compassion at all, you’ll hopefully realise that I’m being totally open and honest with my statements. I’ve learned during these past few weeks that this forum is kinda like a big family (albeit at times a bit dysfunctional, but nobody’s perfect) but I do enjoy observing people relate in good times and difficult times.
With that said, I’d like to take the opportunity to sincerly Apologise for my rudeness and lack of respect to those who I felt were not to be taken seriously. I at times try to deal with reality by seeing the lighter side of it…MY BAD !!! Life is to short to not be truthful and sympathetic during times of genuineness, openness and authenticity.
Peace and Love to all ! :<) The original …357…magman
357 Northeast Easy Android Developer Kit. I develop and test cutting edge software. What people here in the Northeast seem to want most is for their Androids to work like they do in the TV commercials. I train organization staff in the use of software meshing business processes with the database interfaces, develop software, test other developers beta software, guess how it will be hacked and put alarms and safeguards and source tracking in place.
I sometimes get offended and want to lash out, but I always regret it later. The older I get the more I feel guilty and embarrassed. I used to smoke but I quit 15 years ago. I’ve been gaining weight since I quit and I take myself too seriously. I’ll spend too much time on the computer when I’m working on a project instead of getting a good night’s rest. Speaking of which…”Happy New Year and good night.”
Don’t feel so special. Only Southern Maine treats the rest of us like an annoying kid sister. In fact, that’s where the screwball TeaParty is very active and negatively impacting the rest of us.
Here’s an example of the attitude: While doing my taxes I check YES to receive a state park pass. No mention was made of which Maine State Parks I was paying to access. It appeared that that were all included. One horribly hot summer day, the AC not working, a car full of screaming fighting kids…I get them to quiet down and try to enter a Maine State Park in Southern Maine and guess what. My pass was no good there and they wouldn’t let me in. I don’t know what I would have done if I had a loaded gun in my hand at that moment, but since then I have had absolutely no respect for the bastarrds that block our access to the beaches in Southern Maine. They put signs everywhere telling you to stay off their public beaches!!!!!!! Enough with the damn signs and go back to Massachusetts. It’s only a matter of time before we ditch you or take our land back and send you packing.
I feel your pain Bro’ !! We are the taxpayers of this state.. Vacationland… I have lived here ALL of my life, so, Why should I have to pay a Fee to enter a park right in my back yard???
I mean, if we as a state are promoting this grand piece of nature around the world as Vaca’land, then let the Real Vacatoners pay the dues while you and I reap the rewards of sittin back paying less taxes. Put the taxes on the consumables(munchies), hotels,restaurants, extracurricular activities lisence fees(boats, fish, hunt,hike,etc.,etc.) you get my drift.
Then, we the home boys just go into the local store,shop,eatery or whatever, show the Manager our Local Taxpaying I.D. Card and basically get our meal with the regular 5% tax and Not the 12%+/- VACA tax…get my Drift?? I guess…It looks good on paper anyways.
Well gotta hit the sack Bro’, have a nice one & TTYL ! ;<) Peace out !!
Run for office. Give The County a break.
Please elaborate on your comment, I’m not sure if you’re serious or just joking? Either way, I’m to settled in my ways to make waves now. Anyways…Thanks for your support…….
I Think ?!?! ;<)
I’m pretty sure he’s serious.
It’s like throwing a big juicy bone into the middle of the freeway and you’re the Rotti. I say go for it!
Why sit on the sidelines? Your beliefs should be shared with other County folk. If they like your tough stand, you could be sitting on top of the heap with Le Page, where you could share your ideology.
Are you seriously suggesting that everyone who applies for tax relief is on welfare?
If that is true then you need to include everyone who takes deductions before calculating their taxes too. This program is really no different.
The origninal law was enacted in 1987, GUESS who was the governor that signed that bill? McKernan signed the bill which began the Circuit breaker program. So why are you blaming everything on the Democrats. If I remember correctly, it was a bi-partisan bill, that was popular at the time. It was also one of the campaign promises of the then Governor.
What about those company’s that get refunds, in thousands and thousands of dollars without paying any taxes up front? Are they bums?
You should run for a seat in the Legislature. It would be good to hear your daily litany alongside that of Le Page, Summers, Plowman et al.
Stop sterotyping the Democrats as buying votes from the welfare crowd.
People wouldn’t need assistance if they made a decent wage!
People would make a decent wage if the Chamber of Commerce didn’t have a stranglehold on the minimum wage.
Which is why I put “poor” in quotes. If the cap is $65,000 income, and someone making that kind of money can’t pay their rent, then that person is grossly mismanaging his/her expenses. I make considerably less than that and MY HOUSE IS PAID FOR. I manage this by living within (actually below) my means, distinguising between wants and needs, not breeding indiscriminately, and not spending foolishly.
But WTH, if the cap is $65K perhaps I should apply for the program and get a little value for my tax dollars. Then maybe I’ll have enough to upgrade my cable subscription and get that new wide screen TV.
Good grief.
LOL…absolutely!
You seem to have a lot of knowledge of people taking advantage of the system. Why don’t you do something about it instead of hiding behind comments on this web page. Or are you making sure you are not on the bottom of the socio-econonic ladder by denigrating others. You could conclude you are not doing your part to make positive change. ” I am just saying”
So maybe affidavits should be sent out for every tax deduction that you claim on your income tax form verifying that you actually did pay what you said that you paid!Or is it that poor people are the “only” cheats and liars!
FYI, I take the standard deduction. So no, I do not cheat on my taxes.
So… Kill the entire program because a few are abusing it? Maybe if the stores had some way of knowing the person was on public assistance, and then they could refuse to sell the poor people items that you believe they should not have. If, for example, they were forced to sew a little gold star on their clothing…
Why don’t you call out a few of them by name? This is imaginary, just like all those brand new cars and snowmobiles that are supposedly out at Capehart, but happen to disappear whenever I go through there.
I don’t have their names. They are “anonymous” families to whom I and my co-workers provided Christmas gift baskets. We went to great lengths to pick out items that these families needed. Then people go to deliver the goods and the family is busy stashing the other gift packages they received while watching their big TV and playing video games.
I don’t mind helping people in need, but when the people “in need” are living better than I am, it gets ot be tiresome.
Save the circuit breaker program for the elderly on a fixed income who played by the rules their entire lives. ie, people who really need it. And make sure the money goes toward their housing, as it is intended. It is not supposed to be play money.
You unethical ignorant slob. Don’t you dare enter another one of these peoples’ homes again and pretend to be there giving them presents. Get a damn social work license before you set foot in another person’s home again to make yourself feel good about helping those less fortunate. Shame on you!!!
It just struck me, you probably have a social work license. I don’t know who you are, but you should turn in your social work license. What you’ve done here is grounds for serious discipline and loss of your license.
Has it ever occurred to you that maybe these people have different priorities than you? Maybe they can afford that big television because they don’t eat out, they don’t go to the movies, they don’t go on vacations, and they don’t go on long trips in their vehicle. That big television may very well be their entertainment. And they are going to get a lot more of their money’s worth out of it than people who choose to go out.
When the panel bumps heads on this Plowman issue, you definitely should attend with all of your supporters who believe that people have initiated a massive fraud against the State of Maine.
Do you even have to ask?
Teapublicans have been on a constant daily attack against the poor in Maine, and in other states which are stressed out by having teapublican governors.
It is all part of their befuddled religious beliefs – Christian – that to help someone you kick ’em when they’re down. Major corporations deliriously enjoy small taxes, and, like GE – no taxes. But be damned if anyone uses a food stamp for a Coke instead of water – that’s fraud. Charlie Summers, Le Page, Plowman, and so many more all on the attack against people who should have taken out papers and replaced them in Augusta.
Everytime I see this Hampden woman’s name, it is associated with something I find ridiculous or offensive.
She’s a nut!
She IS ridiculous and offensive.
My older sister was in the same high school class as Sen. Plowman. She told me she was just as snotty and offensive then as she is now. So her attainment of political office didn’t make her that way.
Why can’t they just add a check off box that ask if they are up to date with their rent ……… under penalty of law, if they are not then the check is sent to the Landlord.
Yes, I know ………… there are those that will lie, unfortunately for those that are honest.
Maybe the landlord ought to get the cash directly… eliminate the “crooked middleman”
It’s not the landlord’s money, it’s no different than those company’s that get similar refunds for many reasons. They get them because they are eligible. Many of these company’s get rebates or refunds without ever paying the taxes. If there is a loophole to close, let’s start with that.
She see’s no problem with giving the break to those company’s, but now, you want low to lower middleclass tax breaks to go directly to, essentially a business. That’s absurd.
I am not talking about business tax breaks right now but yes it is an issue. However if we are helping someone out to pay their rent and provide some “rent relief” then I say it is the landlords money. It is called rent relief, not cash for you. At least if the landlord gets the money then I the taxpayer know that it went towards what it is supposed to and helps pay the rent. Should we give out give out cash instead of food stamps also. I do not mind helping people out but some stricter guidelines ensuring it goes where its supposed to go seem reasonable. Lets keep the free money heading where it is supposed to go.
“Lets keep the free money heading where it is supposed to go.”
To business tax breaks. You acknowledge that it’s an issue. But then you turn around and start ‘solving’ a much much much smaller issue.
Only because the article is about rent relief, it seemed the appropriate forum for it, but you do not think so.
It’s supposed to go to tenants, not landlords. That’s the whole point of the program. If you give it to the landlords, you’re not providing a relief to the tenant; you’re giving the landlords a bonus. They won’t decrease the rent accordingly; they’ll just pocket the money.
Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Be our guests, Irish, donate your own cash to the poor and pay their rental bills. While you are at it, pay for their cigs, cell phones, tattoos, computers, web access, cable tv, and liquor, if you feel your religion obligates you to do so. Just don’t use my tax dollars.
I find it amusing that you think any of us believe you pay any taxes. I also have some concerns about your hate speech.
“Irish, donate your own cash to the poor and pay their rental bills. While you are at it, pay for their cigs, cell phones, tattoos, computers, web access, cable tv, and liquor, if you feel your religion obligates you to do so.” Ouch!!
Racist, class bashing, religion bashing, and a personal attack. I think you might have set a new record for ignorant online posting. What’s even scarier is you sound confused enough to believe what you’re saying. Get help.
My modern translation is, “It’s the same if you do something to the least powerful, important, deserving etc. as if you were doing it to me (the son of God) because I was sent by God the Father to take your place burning in Hell where you all deserve to be. That I might be the blood of the lamb so that all may be forgiven. If we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.”
xxskier is part of an sinister apocalyptic plan so no matter what you say to him he’ll try to twist it, use it against you, or just wear your out and make you think you are outnumbered. These people are carrying out a plan to destroy America as we speak.
On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, “Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me.” Then Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, “Depart from me because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink, I was sick and you did not visit me.” These will ask Him, “When did we see You hungry, or thirsty or sick and did not come to Your help?” And Jesus will answer them, “Whatever you neglected to do unto one of these least of these, you neglected to do unto Me!”
From frothing away in favor of a death penalty in Maine to screeching in alarm about bogeyman illegal aliens, count on Sen. Plowman to take the mean-spirited approach every time.
Of course this loyal stooge for the tacticians of the far right will “discover” abuses to justify cutbacks in the already sorely beleaguered social safety net. Of course she will follow the Koch Brothers playbook to the letter to distract stupid people into a state of outrage against poor people supposedly gaming the system when in fact it is at the top of an economy in shambles that a very comfortable class of truly ambitious and successful criminals are doing very well for themselves.
I say cancel the “program” all together. Time for people to support there lives and stop taking form those who do.
Hmmm. Attempt that thought in two lines.
End the Lepage Inheritance Tax breaks also.
Its time to take off the training wheels
I”m not disagreeing with the concept of preventing dynasties that usurp the rights of the people and compete successfully with our system of government.
I do think that if a family runs a farm as their means of subsistence and a tree falls on the father killing him his family should not have to pay ANY inheritance tax. That’s the only type of exception I fully agree with when it comes to inheritance tax. Most wealthy people prepare years in advance and skirt all the laws of estate taxes.
People like my elderly parents who’ve worked hard all their lives and are now on just their social security should be able to get this even though it’s only a couple hundred dollars. But I agree that we need more personal responsibility and honestness. If you deserve it, get it. If you don’t qualify, don’t get it by hook or crook.
Oh yes, pull the plug because you’re paying a few extra dollars in taxes. It really bothers you that much that someone in a bad situation is getting a little help to survive. Why doesn’t it bother you that people who are in great situations are getting far much more in tax breaks than you make in a year?
Why?
Hmmm. Same argument as all those people running all over the state voting endlessly to change elections. The issue is no issue. If our politicians would deal with lack of food and heating oil in our communities with out sending up smoke screens, perhaps, some problems could be solved. How about eliminating people from Mainecare without dealing with people who abuse the system. The sub-text is all people on Mainecare are crooks or whatever they are called by most of the people who write on these comment pages. Only a cynical scoundrel makes such generalizations without making the effort to right a wrong and just assume all Maine citizens are bad people. It will cost more down the line to make a very very cynical and tragic decision. If it is about money think twice as some solutions just kick the can to another agency, hospital or (as some would like) the undertaker. Oh well no problem.
Yes, if a poor person dies because they can’t get the assistance they need, well, that just less taxes right? Isn’t that what’s really important to conservatives? Dollars. If being a ‘bleeding heart liberal’ means that I have a heart to bleed, then I guess that’s what I am.
This is the year (like last year) of the attack on the poor: the unemployed, those needing medical care, the homeless – anyone in need.
For the first time in its history, Maine is suffering under the heels of a dictatorial man and his many mislead cronies, all hooked on tea party ideological crap.
By Jove I think you’ve got it!!!
Yes, if a poor person dies because they can’t get the assistance they need, well, that just less taxes right? Isn’t that what’s really important to conservatives? Dollars. If being a ‘bleeding heart liberal’ means that I have a heart to bleed, then I guess that’s what I am.
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…so just how much of your income from all sources and total assets are you going to donate to ‘the poor’? How much of your total income and total assets are you going to demand the govt. seize from you to support ‘the poor’?
Plowman is an ALEC member. Go to her legislative website and see for yourself. Then to too http://www.alec.com and look up the ultra-right wing plan for “fixing” state budgets, complete with no research and blanket assertions. If you’d like to take the guess work out it, try to pin her down on where she got her statistics. I belong to The Greater Bangor Apartment Owners and Managers Association, (GBAOMA), is a local non-profit organization subject to the membership at the state-wide level of Maine Apartment Owners and Managers Association, (MAOMA).Our Purpose Is:To promote communication and cooperation among owners and managers of investment rental property.To educate the public, public officials, legislators, and tenants to the important services being provided. I haven’t heard about of this sinister short-circuit loophole causing any of us any trouble. I think I’d know if we did. We have vacancies, tenants who lose their jobs, and people that pull up stakes and leave a huge mess, no last month’s rent, and no time to advertise the vacancy. We also occasionally get people who deliberately destroy the places and people who refuse to vacate despite being evicted.
All she and her cronies do is attack. They have no proof on anything they allege is taking place.
If you’re poor, God help you.
I think more time needs to be spent on how the low-moderate income families will heat their homes this winter. How to help the homeless, the unemployed and the people who have no health insurance, instead of something as unimportant, at this point, as this program!
A notarized letter from the landlord will be more work for the landlord. The landlord may decide to charge the tenant for the letter. Plus, once the landlord sees that the tenant is getting money back he/she may be tempted to increase the rent. I don’t like this idea.
OK so 3 years of receipt saving and signatures are not enough? Last time I asked for a little help they asked for all my receipts… couldn’t get it without them…how are there people getting the CB rent relief funds without showing as many receipts?? Hmm sounds like that’s an area where the employees need more training..because I couldn’t have gotten the ONLY CB rent relief worker who checks such things so carefully. .could I? Not the peoples fault if the workers are lackadaisical about their jobs. Same goes for welfare and section 8 …stop taking it out on the people…start doing background checks on the employees and be sure that they have proper training before they can hand funds out to their cousins and friends.
I don’t get section 8 and have been refused the CB rent relief help because the unemployed 24yr olds in this state get it before me and it’s all used up. Again, do not blame the people, blame the workers..people are by nature going to look for the loophole and slip through if at all possible. But PLEASE be sure the workers are honest and not looking to help their family members slip through the cracks. I think it might be a case of CB rent Relief **NEPOTISM** . Check the CBRR Workers for such behaviors. I personally know people who find these loopholes and take advantage of the system..and it angers me that they get the funding through dishonesty and being an honest citizen I am left to fend for my self.
Why not eliminate the program outright !
The circuit breaker program should be repealed.
Why?
entitled4lifeToday 05:37 AM The circuit breaker program should be repealed.
Flag4 people liked this. Liked ReplyReply
BrineyToday 12:47 PMin reply to entitled4life Why?
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Prior to this being enacted in 1987, no one DIED as a result of their property taxes exceeding 4% of their income, or their rent exceeding 28% of their income. Do you realize the income limit for this program is $65,000? Let’s say I earn $30,000 a year and live within my means in a rental unit that is 25% of my income. Do you think I might get just a bit perturbed at having to pay taxes so that someone else making TWICE as much as me goes out and buys a house where the property taxes are more than 4% of their income? What, exactly, is FAIR about that? So, I ask you—why NOT?
This would create a bureaucratic nightmare. The very purpose of the program is to extend relief to help people who are heavily burdened by the rent plus the rest of their costs of living.
If people are far in arrears prior to receiving the benefit, landlords have ample opportunity to move through the eviction process. It would also be important and fair for landlords to prove that they are in fact paying all their property taxes in a timely fashion and not just burden the renter. And landlords with multiple rental properties would be heavily burdened with extra paperwork, as would the renters, and this whole mess would take more time and just result in way more red tape which conservatives are supposed to abhore. Once again Republicans show they are on the side of their monied friends and against our most vulnerable citizens. This idea could also open the door for landlords to be able to “game” rental rates, and it would place a large undue additional paperwork and time burden on the large majority of renters who are not in arrears. If after renters are deemed qualified and receive the benefit and remain in arrears, then landlords can move through the notice/eviction process if necessary. They have ample recourse, and that goes with the territory of renting properties. It is their responsibility to manage their rental properties properly if they are going to be in that business.
This would create a bureaucratic nightmare….
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It certainly would! Thank you for pointing out the numerous extra duties placed upon the renters, landlords, program workers, etc. It reminds me of the bill several years ago that was sponsored by Democrat Rep. Joe Brooks, Winterport, that would place a 5 cent deposit on EACH cigarette b utt. That would have been a logistical nightmare! Sure, there are problems with the program, but this “fix” is absurd. I’m beginning to think that Sawyer Mountain is leaching toxins into groundwater and affecting wells in Hampden & Winterport—something must be “in the water” for these ‘congressional representatives’ to come up with these hare-brained ideas. Why not just adjust the parameters for qualification in the first place? Something like 62 and older, or total/permanent disability and do away with the rental portion—just make it for seniors/permanently disabled or recently unemployed who own their homes or are still paying a mortgage.
Before Plowman goes off half cocked, I would suggest that she get accurate stats on how wide spread this problem is. REMEMBER to GOP Voter fraud issue last year????
Furthermore, I for one am getting tired of the Republicans in Augusta spending all their time going after poor people.
It is welfare abuse that is specifically targeted.
Where is the Corporate Welfare Target?
Well hidden where the flack wont hit it.
Talk to Rep Nutting about abuse and fraud. I believe he is an expert on the subjects.
If you spend some time reading up online about an extreme right wing would be party called, “The Constitutionalists” (sounds American as apple pie right?) LePage has acted like a Constitutionalist since before he was elected and has not wavered from that ideology and collective attack plan.
Lackluster, they are attacking ALL government funding and are certain they will abolish government assistance. The only thing they say they’ll keep is “To provide for the National Defense”. That means no money whatsoever will be spent on maintaining the Human Rights agreements we have made with the rest of the wold for hundreds of years without so much as a kiss goodbye. He’s bought and paid for by the GOP that got horns-waggled into thinking TeaParty was waging war in America to regain independence. There’s no excuse for the stupidity of the GOP doing this. The only alternative is to call these Koch funded turncoats what they really are, enemy combatants.
There are people who do stupid things with their benefits. What are we supposed to do, run around behind them with a pooper scooper? So they spend their TANF check for two dozen donuts and go hungry the rest of the month because mom traded her Food Stamp allotment in a grocery line receiving 60 cents on the dollar to buy beer for her prospective boyfriend who might help defray the costs of heating this winter. The point is, once they blow it it’s gone. You don’t pay extra. I don’t pay extra. And it sucks to be them.
What a bunch of ALEC tools we have in the republican side of the isle. Go after the people on the bottom, get them fighting amongst themselves for meager scraps so they won’t see where the real rip off is, continuing the much larger corporate welfare rip-off. Disgusting, heartless.
I would like to see them propose that every buisness sends in a notarised letter of reciept for every tax deduction / exemption that they claim!
Whats Fair is Fair!
Republicans are not!
I would like to see them propose that every buisness sends in a notarised letter of reciept for every tax deduction / exemption that they claim!*****************************************************************
I DID…and the f (kers STILL denied ALL my legitimate business deductions!
Keep yapping. I hate to think what business you run, my skin crawls. Anyway, unless you were audited you would not know if ALL your legitimate business deductions were allowed.
Before you get excited, your story doesn’t ring true (that means I’m sure you are lying) because most professional tax accountants today give a guarantee and will deal with the IRS and go to court if necessary at their expense to defend your position or pay the difference.
May the scales be lifted from your eyes. people like you carry the gas can to keep adding fuel to the fighting going on . UNITED WE STAND APART WE SHALL FALL!!!!
We must fight to restore government by the people, for the people, not just for the rich.
I agree that we must all stick together lest we all stick separately. While everybody has been going about their stress filled lives in America, we became the world’s only superpower. There used to be three of us superpowers: USA, USSR, & PRC.
Turnip brains like these paid bloggers that attack America. You can’t know it all. Nobody can.
What is wrong with closing a loophole that would see that landlords are getting their rent money instead of it going to other thins such as alcohol, cigarettes and drugs? This is where our social giving can be stopped and only hurt the cheaters.
What a numb question. Did you first ask if this is actually happening or even possible the way the program is set up??? Because it isn’t. It’s this screwball ALEC group she belongs to that makes this stuff up for the brownshits.
everyone except you knows that this is happening .talk about dumb comments…
Best practices include working in government for your husbands business. The garage door business must be slow…you either need more time on the Rick Tyler show or a college degree.
How many people can this possibly be?
Don’t they get evicted regularly?
And if they aren’t evicted, then aren’t they paying up?
I think that people receiving federal or state subsidy should not be eligible for any rebate as they are now. They get a reduced rent all year long. While they are at it, I think they should do away with the Maine SSI of $10 per month. It must almost cost as much to issue that check.
More lib wagon riders that need to be thrown into the street – Go GOP!
You sure you want that? They’d just get in the way of your gas guzzling SUV. But you’d probably just run them over, they’re only poor people, not important enough to feed and clothe and shelter right?
The only people who can’t pay rent are all belong to the Democrat Party – all Republicans are Real Americans who are never unemployed welfare queens and have good paying jobs and really good benefits that can pay their rent.
Like Lauren LePage
yessah
…and take her with you.
Why don’t the payments go directly to the landlord? Direct Deposit, folks. It’s the 21st century!
Because the program helps tenants, not landlords.
Audit —- Sen. Debra Plowman, R-Hampden
This is just another attempt to distract you from the fact that they are pumping millions of tax dollars into bailing out their business friends. If every person on public assistance was guilty of fraud, it still is a tiny percentage of what fraudulent businesses take from the system. It’s the government official’s job to make you hate the low class because it’s easy to point the finger and scream ‘they’re getting something for nothing.’ Well guess what? The banks and businesses are getting orders of magnitude more money for nothing and you don’t even get upset by it. Give me a rational example of why that’s ok.
This is a “refund” program. That tell’s me you have to pay something first in order to even apply for a refund. I read the application for tax refund and it stated right on the form enter amount of tax paid or not. Alittle confusing and doesn’t take much for me. lol
Typical Republican idea. Gotta make sure the poor don’t have anything at all. Why isn’t she addressing the LARGE number of landlords that don’t keep the units to code ? Here’s an idea. Make it like Massachusetts where a tenant isn’t liable for the rent if basic human needs aren’t being met by the slumlord ? I will certainly remember to add her name to the growing list of Republicans I will NOT vote for. I own my own home but at one time I was also struggling to get by, like the people she wants to target with this plan. Let’s work instead on the “loophole” that allows politicians to make HUGE sums of money supporting special interests.
If Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham says that he has “not seen data to suggest that there is a problem here that needs to be solved,” that’s good enough for me.
In this first year of the teapublican rule of Maine, their glorious leader is constantly kicking and hammering away at anyone who might have been seen buying a Coke instead of water at the local supermarket.
Maine is inundated with fraud – if you believe the radicalism of the tea party muck spreaders union. For a solid year they’ve done nothing for the people except attack them. There was the Charlie Summers mountainous fraud he claimed at election time. Now here comes another right wing arm of the teapublican party hell bent on strapping the state in their gawky fanatical ideology reminiscent of Fascism in Germany.
This lady’s last ideological blast was to try and lower the age of students so they could bump older people out of the work place and get paid less by doing it. Thus saving businesses money. Fortunately, it failed. More to come. She’s a fanatical supporter of the death penalty.
Day 3 with only 1,095 remaining before Le Page goes back to Florida to retire on his healthy Maine pension and medical benefits.
Plowman is simply following the New Right agenda.
She’s not a Republican.
She’s a self-hating reactionary.
Sad really.
Where’s her bill to stop State-paid health coverage and pensions for elected Senators and Representatives?
Could you possibly be any more dramatic! Surely you’re just putting on? Let me have a crack at some 90210 drama. It’s sad really; the State of Maine as we have known it is gone! Maine is a welfare state. The care more entitlement crowd has won the day. All the Republicans can do is delay the inevitable financial collapse. Lib’s are so dramatic… just look at Hollywood.
Why does the entire elected Maine Legislature and certain coat-tails have health, dental, etc., benefits, pensions, that are there for the workers?
In reply to Franforter: “Prior to this being enacted in 1987, no one DIED as a result of their property taxes exceeding 4% of their income, or their rent exceeding 28% of their income. Do you realize the income limit for this program is $65,000? Let’s say I earn $30,000 a year and live within my means in a rental unit that is 25% of my income. Do you think I might get just a bit perturbed at having to pay taxes so that someone else making TWICE as much as me goes out and buys a house where the property taxes are more than 4% of their income? What, exactly, is FAIR about that? So, I ask you—why NOT?”
Losers like you always say stuff like that, “Mama, Mama, Mama!!! Sally threw up and Billy’s getting all of the big pieces!!!”
That dog took a crap on my lawn!!! So what if the owner picked it up. I don’t crap on people’s lawns. There should be a LAW that nobody on welfare can let their dog crap on my lawn or they lose their welfare and go to debtors prison!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am not sure Senator Plowman knows how the program works. It is a refund from rent paid the year before provided if you meet the income guidelines. It should not matter if you are current with your rent this year, and it may be going to rent. If people are putting false amounts paid, that is fraud and should be ferreted out.
Landlords are not getting “ripped off” in this program. I suggest she contact a tax consultant or the Maine Revenue Services before making bizarre comments such as these. I am wondering what kind of evidence she has of fraud going on, or if it is just more speculation like the voter fraud fiasco.