Lawmakers Friday directed the Legislature’s investigative arm to undertake a “rapid response” investigation of the Maine State Housing Authority’s expenses, giving that work new priority in what many described as an increasingly intense political environment.
Sen. Roger Katz, R-Augusta, and Rep. David Burns, R-Whiting, co-chairs of the Government Oversight Committee, asked the committee to have the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability take up a housing authority investigation earlier than had been planned.
The committee voted unanimously to have OPEGA look into money the authority has spent in the last five years on sponsorships, contributions, memberships and related expenses. Sens. Garrett Mason, R-Lisbon Falls, and Nancy Sullivan, D-Biddeford, were absent.
The investigation comes as the housing authority is under intense scrutiny and criticism by its board, by State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin, who sits on the board, and by the Maine Heritage Policy Center, a conservative policy group.
Questions have been raised about issues including how much is spent on affordable housing units and what groups the authority has given money to. The agency has been the subject of intense media coverage, including from a new online offering called The Maine Wire, which is run by the Maine Heritage Policy Center.
The agency is also under fire for substandard low-income housing and lack of inspections in the Norway area, but that is not part of the OPEGA review.
“I think trial by press is not a good thing for anybody — certainly we can’t get to the facts,” Sen. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, said at the committee hearing Friday morning.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers who spoke noted the full-contact politics that were being played around the housing authority issues.
Rep. Leslie Fossell, R-Alna, expressed concern that an investigation would be getting into “the middle of a cat fight that can’t be won.”
Part of the criticism of the authority comes down to the fact that, by statute, the executive director can’t be fired by the board of directors. Only the governor can fire the executive director, and only for specific causes of “inefficiency, neglect of duty or misconduct in office.” The current director, Dale McCormick, a holdover appointment by former Gov. John Baldacci, has a term that expires in February 2014.
Sen. Jon Courtney, R-Springvale, has submitted a bill that would allow the board to fire the director.
Rep. Donald Pilon, D-Saco, said he was concerned about the influence the Maine Heritage Policy Center had over expediting the investigation.
“I want this committee to do the review and I don’t want the Maine Heritage Policy Center to intervene or get in the way of any investigation or any review here,” said Pilon. “That truly is my concern.”
Katz assured Pilon that neither he nor Burns had had any contact with that group regarding the housing authority investigation.
OPEGA Director Beth Ashcroft said taking on a “rapid response” investigation would delay current work her department is doing on how much the state spends per prisoner in custody.
Ashcroft warned that the housing authority was still working to respond to a freedom of information request by the Maine Heritage Policy Center. When that request is completed, it may result in more news coverage, she said. Ashcroft said she would not expect to feel pressure — and would not respond to pressure — to change how she investigates the housing authority if more information hits the press.
“The timing may turn the heat up — I want you to know I am not going to do anything differently than what I would normally do,” said Ashcroft.
Ashcroft said her staff would analyze MaineHousing’s payments and vendor lists and pursue any leads that raise questions. She didn’t offer an estimate as to when the investigation would be done, noting that would depend on what was uncovered.
Peter Merrill, director of communications and planning at the authority, said many of the contributions cited in the media as problematic were done to host tables at conferences and other such actions to promote the agency’s programs. That falls under the federal regulations governing the agency, he said.
“I think that’s a reasonable thing for us to have done,” he said, adding that he expected similar conclusions from the OPEGA investigation.
Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, said he believed the review was very important, and moving it up made sense.
“We are all sensitive to the political battles that are going on constantly around here,” said Diamond. “It goes without saying this committee is going to approach this in a non-partisan manner, but I think we have to be even more sensitive to all the networking going on out there.”
Katz responded: “Even though each one of us is a Republican or a Democrat, those hats are off when we enter the room.”
The committee still intends to pursue a more in-depth investigation into MaineHousing later this spring, Katz said.
Witch hunt!
Goodie!
Actually the fun will really begin when OPEGA returns with a report that shows they are legitimate expenses that meet the mission of the authority.
Heads will explode.
really? The earlier released tidbits from MHA have massage services listed and pricy hotel bills. I can’t wait to see what comes out. It should be interesting what these liberal hacks got away with for all those years without good oversight.
Not really. How much were those expenses? MPCH was complaining that all they received were vendor lists with no other details. But go on, keep making things up, its what the far-out right does best.
The far liberal left is apparently good at donating my tax dollars to their pet projects and causes. Let’s wait and see what the excuses are for the expenditures made that seem to coincide with the personal agenda of one Dale McCormick.
Yeah, Holmes, here’s the article which cites the only connection I can find between MSHA and the theatre groups she donated to –she’s a wannabee actor:
http://watchdog.org/12918/luxury-hotels-magicians-and-massage-maine-housing-vendor-list-reveals-questionable-expenditures/
How about the money given to the University in Iowa (the one she attended) and the Sierra Club….What do any of these and the other liberal agenda entities have anything to do with affordable housing in the State of Maine (if you can call $264,000 per unit of low income housing affordable)?
“McCormick also announced at a September 21, 2010 MaineHousing board meeting, according to the minutes, that “she would be performing in ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ at the Monmouth Theatre in dual roles of a policeman and a pirate.””..From The Maine Wire
I just love this, not only use the agencies money to support her pet causes, she used a board meeting for her self promotion.
Hey, if it came from the maine wire it has to be “true and objective”.
I suppose we should all consider that it cannot be true, if you profess that it is not. I will trust that there accuracy is better than yours.
The University you refer to teaches management seminars.
Nice try. From: themainewire.com
“A particularly inexplicable recipient of vendor dollars paid by MSHA is the New Iowans Program, a project of The Iowa Center for Immigrant Leadership and Integration (ICILI) at the University of Northern Iowa. The program “guides and prepares Iowa communities and businesses as they accommodate immigrant and refugee newcomers living and working in Iowa.” Why the Maine State Housing Authority is writing checks to a group focused on the economic vitality of Iowa is a detail left unexplained by MSHA, although a passage from MSHA Director Dale McCormick’s biography may suggest a link: “Dale McCormick’s family moved to Sigourney, Iowa, in 1955; she graduated from Sigourney High School in 1965, and earned a BA and a teaching certificate from the University of Iowa in 1970.” McCormick published a book with the Iowa City Women’s Press, and ran a carpentry company in Iowa City from 1977 to 1980.”
The federal government, which funds nearly all of MSHA, includes finding housing for refugees and immigrants in it’s mission.
I do not think that their intention was for MAINE Housing Authority to help fund the housing needs of immigrants in IOWA. Your excuses are very far from believable or realistic.
Staff from Maine trained in Iowa.
Are you being intentionally dense?
Wow a whopping $186.00 dollars for a youth program
Where did you come up with the $186.00 figure ?
Yeh, ain’t that democracy thing a pain in the tail. But there’s an up side for you. Since your most heartfelt worries seem to revolve around money, here’s the upside: all the progressive have had to pay Trillions for W’s (and that little stubby guy behind the curtain- Cheney’s) little incursion into Iraq based upon paranoia and lies (not to mention how many lives). We get to pay for a military that’s what, twice as big as the rest of the world’s; but that’s ok, O’s just started to reduce it. Just wit til his next term.
What does “W” have to do with MSHA expenditures? Oh that’s right, when the left can’t come up with a viable answer to a viable question it’s Bush’s fault……Same tired, worn out argument. Obama will not be re elected as Obama Stands for…..
One Big As# Mistake America.
Many of those so called outrageous bills were for standard training and conferences (some training is required bu federal rules).
Others occurred long before McCormick became director, but they are trying to claim they are her fault.
Some were for services that employees paid for themselves, but to get a group discount the authority bought the block of tickets (or maybe appointments in the case of massages) and got reimbursed.
Utilizing agency funds for employee’s personal benefit is not an acceptable practice when it comes to taxpayer dollars. Sounds like the accommodations utilized for these “training seminars” were pretty plush. Sounds to me, that your excuses for these questionable expenditures are lame at best.
Sounds to me like you are pulling stuff out off that part of your anatomy Lepage likes to tell people to kiss.
It is standard business practice to act as an agent to allow employees to make group purchases. It does not cost taxpayers one dime.
If the feds put on training I doubt the state of Maine gets to tell them where it occurs. Same goes for national conferences.
I can’t believe that you are accusing me of pulling stuff out my anatomical areas after the lame excuses you are trying to put forth.
It may be standard business practice in your opinion (I have ran a very successful business, and that would not fly as far as I am concerned) and public sector is very different than private.
Because the feds host training does not mean that they dictate where the participants choose to lodge.
Nice try ‘Tyke’, but you sound as if you maybe have enough of an artillery of lame excuses that you must in some why be associated with MSHA or it’s director.
I find it unlikely that anyone who says “I have ran” is much of a business person.
Larger businesses run those kinds of programs routinely.
Try to get out more, maybe you will be able to ran(sic) another business.
… and your attempt to attack the messenger because you don’t like the message or have an adequate response is transparent and weak tea.
I am a retired businessman and have never worked for MSHA or any other agency like it.
I would put my business acumen against yours any day of the week, as I am sure if you ran a business in the same manor that you support government to be run I would outperform you at every level. Who do you consider yourself to be a messenger for? I apologize for my misuse of the word ran, but you better check your other post concerning the “hosing money” that you spoke of.
0If I ran a business in the same manor(sic)?
Thanks for continuing to make my point.
I could care less how “larger businesses” run themselves. We are talking about government and tax payer dollars. I repeat–I challenge you to name ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY that routinely brings in masseuses for “wellness days” or gave out $1000 bonuses. I find you must be related to McCormick, her partner, or MSHA.
See my posting above. DO not know how you can categorize the $15,000 to a theatre group as legitimate.
And can you name ANY state organization where masseuses come in for “wellness days?” I challenge you to name it.
If it shows everything is as it should be, they’ll try to find some other reason. Kind of like the two Charlies and voter fraud. This adminsitration is all solution looking for a problem. If they can’t find one, they make one up!!
If you think that all these expenditures that are being paid out to McCormick’s pet interests are legitimate, you are as delusional as she is. Also what about the $1,000.00 bonus paid to each employee (that was suggested and approved by the board), is that not a purposeful attempt to circumvent the state employee wage freeze?
I have no idea whether or not they are legitimate because they have not been reviewed bu auditors.
But then neither do you or the Heritage Foundation weenies.
btw: Do you think the Republicans will catch on to the fact that one of the OPEGA investigators is a former Housing & Community Development Program Manager for Portland. lol
Maybe when the Dems grow a pair.
huh?
What does that even mean and what does it have to do with … well, anything?
All dems? goodness, gracious!
There is no witch hunt……..she has been found……..running MSHA………into the ground.
The witchhunt continues.
Thats what was said about the former head of the turnpike. The democrats defended him right up until he plead GUILTY! Time for more of Baldys hackarama to be dismantled. Maine taxpayers are sick of being victims to democrat thugery!
It was a Democrat in the legislature who pushed hardest for the OPEGA investigation, not a Republican.
Yes, Senator, “I really want to run for higher office” Katz has grandstanded and tried his very best to become the face of the investigation, but credit should be given to Dawn Hall D-York because she was the one who was relentless in her push for accountability at the MTA.
Not sure if they’ll find wrongdoing but they are sure to find a witch!
I’ll get you Dale McCormick, and your little dog too!
There is no witch hunt……..she has been found……..running MSHA………into the ground.
When the MHPC snaps it’s fingers, Laplague and the rest of the repubs snap right to attention. You can see clearly who runs this administration. Bunch of puppets.
The shredders are operating at full capacity at MSHA as we type
Yep. That and the liberals are circling the wagons to defend the indefensible.
And Eric Russel is no longer able to cover his Dad’s workplace.
That’s a load of confetti!!! If they were the feds would have gone into MSHA already and took over the place.
Let’s face it, this is what the Republican/Tea Party does best isn’t it. Throw words, hate and insinuations to get someone (Anyone!) they can hoodwink into thinking they have a clue. When they ran for office they ALL promised to bring jobs to Maine. Huh, now look what they’re spending all their time on. It’s sad, just plain sad. We should all vote accordingly next November.
No they are doing their jobs what we put them in office to do in the first place. To clean up the mess and the mockery the Democrats have made Augusta the last 40 years. It is time to clean house in MSHA and start charging people like Dale Mccormick with criminal charges for the misuse and mismanagement of our tax dollars like Violette did with the MTA. The Liberals are afraid that the truth will come out in this investigation. It is time to bring these much needed reforms to this department. If Liberals were still running things they would kick this to the curb and nothing would get done.
What would happen if there was a liberal Republican hiding somewhere among our elected officials? Isn’t it impossible to be Republican and liberal?
No it is not impossible. many old time Republicans are progressives. The right wing is doing its best to eradicate us from the party but some of us are still stubborn enough to try to return it to it’s roots from within.
The party of Bill Cohen and Margaret Chase Smith is shaky and bruised badly, but there is at least some hope left.
Do you have a sore toe ?
You may wish to keep in mind that the reason the hated Republicans are finally back in power in Augusta is that the people finally got tired of the cynical ‘business as usual’ Democrat attitudes. I’m sorry if you lost a cushy place at the trough, but the world moves on.
Actions of MSHA have been questioned. MSHA has defended those questionable actions. Only a more in depth investigation will either clear MHSA of any wrongdoing or verify that inappropriate actions have occurred. If wrongdoing has occurred, the public will never know about it if noone ever looks for it. The investigation(hopefully) will clear MSHA of any wrongdoing, and if it does the matter should be dropped.
Hopefully the investigation will put this matter to rest. There is nothing wrong with a review once in a while but if it is to be credible, an outside agency should do it. A CPA firm probably should be consulted for an “agreed on procedures” audit of the agency.
The Federal government audits the MSHA multiple times every year.
This investigation should be done but it is not likely to find much of substance.
Dale McCormick is the issue, her name is not mentioned anywhere in this article. Are we protecting her?
now BDN has added a paragraph mentioning Dale McCormick…way to go BDN
I’m sorry, Valgal – it’s possible you missed the McCormick reference earlier, but it was in when the story was first posted before noon. I find it’s often easy to read over things, particularly on a computer screen. (Makes it hell to self-edit stories…) – matt
Her name certainly is mentioned in the article, along with mention of her appointment by Baldacci and that her term ends in 2014. Did you read the article or did you just want to complain and point fingers?
Let me see if I am following this… How can the committee vote unanimously when two members were absent? (That just kind of struck me as odd) So a Republican led committee, and Maine Heritage (LePage’s gang) want to find out if Maine State Housing has done anything wrong, so they can fire the Authorities director who is a Dem appointee that LePage wants to fire but can’t. It must just be coincidence that this happens to be the very same Maine State Housing Authority that LePage has been wanting more control over for months. Yet this is all about finding wasteful spending… C’mon Paul, don’t pee on my head and tell me its raining. If they find waste, which they will because it is a government agency after all, Paul gets his way by being the bully once again. The big question that will remain is, when we pass the anti-bulling legislation, will we be able nail LePage on it?
This committee is split 50/50 Republican and Democrat. It is the only legislative committee set up that way regardless of who controls the legislature.
If one D and one R were absent then the vote had to be bipartisan or it could not have passed.
I expect the Democrats are fully aware of the extensive independent audits that MSHA already gets several times each year and they expect this audit to come up with the same result all of the others have with a report that refutes the witch hunt.
They want the audit to be done because the results will make some tea type heads explode.
The independent audits of the MSHA are probably as good as the MSHA inspections of section 8 housing!!
The federal government provides almost all of MSHA funding and they audit for compliance to laws, rules and best financial practices very thoroughly.
So let’s have a independent audit. They are State employees right?
They are not state employees but they are subject to an OPEGA investigation because OPEGA is authorized to look at quasi governmental agencies.
It surprises me that you would have this attitude after what was discovered at the MTA. The only reason Violette was found out was because OPEGA investigated suspicious looking expenses. There are certainly suspicious looking expenses at MSHA–I am glad they are going to investigate and clear it up. And I don’t care who is governor, who is in majority in the legislature or who broke the story. If McCormick is misusing state funds, I want it rooted out and exposed.
Totally true, waste and misuse of funds is totally awful and should be rooted out. If there is misuse the executive director should go. I was just saying that it is not the true aim of the investigation. It is LePage trying to get the power over it he has wanted for months. Maine Heritage doesn’t care about waste and misuse of funds, it wants power over MSHA through its conduit Paul LePage. Every state agency should come under review, from every agency at State House Station to the loneliest forest fire watch stand in the North Maine Woods.
You are so right!!! This is a witch hunt because LePage wants control and by law he can’t have it.
There is no witch hunt……..she has been found……..running MSHA………into the ground.
Sure about that. MSHA gets audited by the feds and an independent agency multiple times a year, any misuse of funds by McCormack would have been found by now – after all she has been in the office since 2005.
You really feel comfortable with the FEDS looking after things?
That’s a hoot!
Right on.
I believe the term now is “spot on”.
A vote tally ALWAYS refers to votes taken from THOSE PRESENT.
Dollars to doughnuts that your an employee of the MSHA and all your fellow hacks are on the comment section today instead of doing what you guys do best, run up bills on fancy dinners, charge the state more than double for “affordable” housing and sponsoring Dale McCormicks “partner” as a speaker at one of you events.
Survey Says!…… X Oh sorry, better luck next time. Please enjoy your consolation prize of a years supply of Rice-a-roni. Rice-a-roni, the San Fransisco treat!
This is a classical example of : “I’ve got absolutely no answer to a valid point so I’ll accuse the person making it of something to see if I can distract people from that valid point.”
Weak tea.
Here’s hoping the state auditor, Neria Douglass, ends up in the jail cell beside Dale McCormick for her part in the coverup.
If you have real evidence, (not the imaginary kind), than get off you butt and contact the Attorney General instead of being a cyber-gossip.
The state auditor, attorney general, secretary of state, and state medical examiner are picked by the party princes SOLELY for their ability and willingness to cover up the crimes of the political class. The ONLY real solution to the problem is the eradication of the two principal criminal cabals and/or extra-judicial action by the citizens en masse. Someone please pass the tar and feathers.
Huh?
The feds audit MSHA.
I just looked up the statutes relating to the State Audit Department. The Audit Department’s authority extends to departments of the executive branch of state government. I do not see anything that would even give the State Auditor the right to audit a quasi governmental groups like MSHA.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/5/title5sec243.html
Your comment appears to be unfounded slander. Did Ms Douglas turn you down for a job or find something nasty in YOUR accounts perhaps?
Making it an ideal home for a party hack with sticky fingers (just like the Turnpike Authority).
No doubt the creation of a taxpayer supported state agency with no state government fiscal oversight was a purposeful omission by our criminal Legislature.
As for Neria, another party hack who got her accounting credentials from a matchbook cover, demonstrated why the party bigwigs picked her for auditing post by averting her eyes when that $57-million went missing over at MeDHHS. A watchdog who chose to sleep on the porch while the hoodlums lugged off the contents of her master’s house.
The state auditor role is created by the state constitution.
With all of the rhetoric and inuendo regarding the MSHA and the employees being cast about, it is a good thing that the audit will be undertaken sooner than latter. These trials by press are counter-productive at best. Hopefully the issues that have been raised can be resolved and the Authority can get on with the business we have charged them with.
I did notice that Sen Katz left the door open promising a more indepth investigation this spring. If this should occur I would be inclined to call it a witch hunt then an investigation. Surely our legislators have better things to spend their time and our money on. When will enough be enough ?
The Heritage Policy Center. are the very same people who where peddling that fake video made by a convinced criminal who tried to “faux seduce” Abbie Boudreau by setting up his boat with hidden cameras and sexual props
Too much Koch, that’s their problem.
Maine Heritage Policy Center, Americans For Prosperity and the American Legislative Exchange Council are all in bed with the Koch brothers.
Yes I know. They are in Maine because the Koch Bros want to stop Maine from producing American made energy that will compete with their oil price speculating and manipulating..
Lepage is their boy and his job is to stop America from becoming energy independent.
I bet you were even wearing your tinfoil hat when you came up with that response.
Legislators never have a greater sense of purpose than when they are investigating anything other than the Legislature itself.
Mistah speakah – whar’s our money?
Liepage said he wanted control of this department since the start of his governorship.. This is another way for the Republicans under his belt to bully their way into this department to further make cuts.. They will end up firing the director of this operation and maybe filing trumped up charges against her for misappropriations of funds.. Just like the guy for the highways.. Not saying that it isn’t true but that’s what is gonna happen.. And he will worm his way into the dept and make cuts and pretty soon there will be no more money in the department to continue on.. It is pretty transparent that this is just a bully attempt by our illustrious governor and his cronies..
See my postings above. I don’t know how to characterize a donation to a theatre group as anything BUT misappropriation.
Since a portion of the monies they receive are grants and / or donations to administer perhaps it was a condition of some of these monies that these funds be appropriated in this fashion. Hopefully the audit will clarify some of the babble being put out on the street. To many of us run to fast with information provide without checking on the facts.
“Just like the guy for the highways”
You mean the guy that got found guilty and sentenced to jail?
http://www.themainewire.com/2012/01/video-maine-housing-gave-15000-prison-theater-group/
I suggest all you who think this is all smoke and no fire, watch this video where McCormick is questioned about why the MHA (remember, Maine House Authority) gave $15,000 to a prisoners’ theatre group. Yeah, that makes sense…
the mainewire is the propaganda arm of the heritage society
. They have zero credibility since they got caught peddling that fake video. Have they ever told the truth? It isn’t likely since they hire Neo Nazi’s and convicted criminal perverts.
Well, watch the video. You gonna tell me this is fake?
Watch the unedited version. And yes the one the Lepage’s boss was pushing is as fake as a three dollar bill.
Give us the website please.
I hope you will read this info and discover what a shame organization the oil speculators have set up at the Heritage society.
http://mediamatters.org/research/201110240017
Yeah, and Penobscot Community Health Center was run by a pedophile.
Yeah a pedophile priest. Like that’s so unusual
Bob Carlson was not a priest. He was not a reverend either, he faked his credentials. He was a pedophile.
A
priest or a reverend who has no credentials. That’s about 50% of the clergy in this country.
It is a group that works with former prisoners and they sought a grant to do run a program with homeless youth. The federal guidelines around the hosing money they provide includes outreach to homeless people.
“The federal guidelines around the hosing money they provide includes outreach to homeless people.”
You have it exactly right “hosing money” What a perfect statement for you to make.
Witch hunt? Don’t have to look too hard when the person who runs the MSHA….
By the way, here is the mission statement from the theatre group: “Maine Inside Out is a performing and creative arts organization collaborating with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people to increase opportunities for active participation in meaningful and creative work, the sharing of original works with the community and the facilitation of dialogue in order to initiate social change.”
Yeah, that’s what the Maine Housing Association should be spending our tax dollars on.
The video makes it clear. The theater group made a proposal to run a program specifically for homeless youths. That is one of the areas that the federal government specifies for use of their funding (and the MSHA funding is almost ALL federal money so they set the rules).
And here is the Maine Housing Authority mission statement. Gotta love the line about “maximizing resourses.”
The mission of the Maine State Housing Au thor i t y i s to a ssi s t M aine peopl e to obtain and maintain decent, safe, affordable housing and services suitable to their unique housing needs. In carrying out this mission, MaineHousing will provide leadership, maximize resources, and promote partnerships to develop and implement sound housing policy.
MSHA also acts as administrator to pass on grant money from several federal agencies for purposes that do not all directly involve housing. The federal agencies set the rules about how the money is to be awarded.
And this is what happens if you have a criminal background in violent or drug-related criminal activity. Also, you will be denied if you are a lifetime registrant of the Sex Offender Registry. So SOMEONE please tell me why the MSHA would spend $15,000 our of tax dollars on this theatre group??
“Criminal Backgrounds & Sex Offender Registries. Applicants who are denied for criminal
backgrounds because of having engaged in violent or drug related criminal activity within the last 3 years
based on the date of the last activity, or are listed on any State or National Sex Offender Registry will be
sent a denial letter and given 10 business days to respond, with the presumption that this
correspondence was received within 3 calendar days of mailing to give them the opportunity for an
informal review to dispute this decision.”
And here’s some more info taken from MSHA which makes the $15,000 donation to the theatre group even more insulting:
“3) Screening ineligibility: All household members age 18 and over must be screened for
eligibility in the following categories:
A. Drug-Related and/or Violent Criminal Activity within
the past 3 years screening for drug related criminal
activity, violent criminal activity or any activity giving
reasonable cause to believe that there is abuse or
pattern of abuse of alcohol that may threaten the
health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the
premises by other residents.
B. Maine and National Sex Offender Registries screening
to determine mandatory registry on any state offender
registry.
C. Debts to a Public Housing Authority screening covers
any outstanding debts owed to a Public Housing
Authority by applicants.
D. Previous Termination by a Public Housing Authority
screening for applicants who were previously
participants in the Housing Choice Voucher Program
and who were terminated for serious program
violations. These individuals will not be eligible to reapply for a period of 3 years from the date they were
declared ineligible as detailed by HUD’s Enterprise .”
A big problem I see with these housing units is that these rules aren’t obeyed because many, many partners live with the single moms in the low cost rentals. They are not on the lease. they are not investigated first. They live there, and either no one knows, or no one cares AND, their income, if they have any, isn’t counted in the equation as to what the rent will be. I’ve seen it in my neighborhood!
If MSHA Dale McCormick wasn’t such a political Biggot and indirectly funneled $$ to the Repubs along with her regular indirect funding of Dems and their groups she might have gotten away with it.. I’m sure Janet Mills said it was all OK for her to spend freely, like Janet Mills told George Hale it was OK to regulate the Racino and take advertizing $$$ for his morning show from the Racino.. I’m starting to believe everyone who is trusted to do the work of the people are finding ways to do whats best for themselves..$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Yeah, Craven, trial by the press is not a good thing, but your party does it daily to our Governor.
And why the donations of TAXPAYER money to Maine Initiatives? I am sure that taxpayers would LOVE to know WHY the MSHA is donating money to a group that actively supports fighting the voter ID law, Equality Maine, and other political issues.
http://www.themainewire.com/2012/01/editorial-bad-government/
Here’s the video where McCormick basically can’t give an answer why the MSHA gave money to this group.
Maine Wire is nothing but a Maine Hertage Policy Center rag. The use it to publish there own lies not the truth. Can’t believe anythng from that group.
Someone has indicated that they have posted a small portion of a longer video and if ones views the entire video it gives a different impression.
So typical of MHPC!!! Remember the DHHS video.
Give us the cite, please, post the website.
Than explain the video clip. I suppose that is an actor playing the part of McCormick.
McCormick has given MSHA monies to political groups? Money which could have kept poor people warm? Building 300,000 dollar units? Let’s see her try to squirm out of this one.
Yea, you’ve got it!
A specific grant to a group working with homeless youth meets the requirements and goals for MSHA:
http://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/homeless/homeless-assistance-programs
Don’t like it, then complain to the federal government where the rules and goals are set.
The way MSHA’s set up why have a Board of Directors? There is no accountability for McCormack or whoever the Executive Director may be. This needs to be changed asap. It appears that Mickey Mouse set up the bylaws of MSHA and several other State Agencies, that are ripe for corruption. No wonder taxes are high in Maine, the taxpayers appear to work for State workers instead of the other way around…
Don’t stop at an investigation of Maine State Housing. Investigate LePage and his administration, we want the bulling and threats to Stop NOW!