AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage has submitted a bill to the Legislature that would tighten financial disclosure requirements for lawmakers and certain executive employees.
The bill would require legislators, executive branch officials and constitutional officers to identify if they or family members who hold executive or management-level employees were paid more than $1,000 by the state.
Employees also would have to identify the source of the compensation, the type of economic activity and the title of the position held by the immediate family member.
The governor announced the bill on Thursday. Once it’s printed and assigned an LD number, it will be referred to the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee for a public hearing and work sessions.
“It is reasonable to ask our elected leaders to disclose who is paying them. It is good for the health of our democracy and the people of Maine,” LePage said in a statement. “This will increase trust in the system and ensure that people have the opportunity to take appropriate action and make decisions accordingly.”
A recent investigation by the the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting revealed that the state paid more than $200 million between 2003 and 2010 to organizations that were run by state officials or their spouses. Those paid with state dollars were Republicans and Democrats alike.
One major loophole in current law, according to the governor, is that if a lawmaker leaves office or an employee leaves his or her job before the financial disclosure deadline, they are not required to disclose their finances. LePage’s bill would close that loophole.
The bill does not indicate that lawmakers or employees would be punished if they received money. They would only be punished if they failed to disclose it.
Senate President Kevin Raye, R-Perry, and House Speaker Robert Nutting, R-Oakland, are the bill’s main sponsors but several other legislators have co-sponsored the bill.
“This bill will close a loophole and help establish a greater level of transparency in state government,” Raye said. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with Gov. LePage in bringing this bill forward and giving the Legislature an opportunity to improve the law and correct this situation.”
Added Nutting: “Republicans in the Legislature have promised to bring transparency to Augusta, and this is one way of achieving that. Maine taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent.”
Excellent!
Gov. LePage is a true hero of democracy and the American way of life. With more great leaders like the Guv we can take this state and country back from the socialist/communist that are driving us into a third world nation.
Do you suppose he’s gong after one of the co-sponsors, Mr. Nutting, who defrauded the state out of $1.3 million in Medicaid funds!!!! I’m guessing he’s be exempt. What doyou think??
Are you sure Mr. Nutting defrauded the state, or were those allegations that have yet to be validated? Thanks for asking.
I’m pretty sure, myself.
See the photo accompanying the article, and ask ;
> Govenah, how much good do think this will do ?
> So, how long do you think your nose is right now, Govenah ?
Any other suggestions ?
: )
LePage Derangement Syndrome. It is a sad disorder.
Those who think LePage is addressing the issues that the State faces are suffering
from LePage Derangement Syndrome.
And indeed it is a sad disorder.
The loss of any sense of humor or tolerance that the suffers manifest, proves just how sad it is
and they are.
But there is hope.
People are working on it.
A cure for this terrible debilitating affliction is on the horizon.
I expect an announcement of a partial cure, on the first Weds. in November of this very year.
What is your arugement on the subject again???? Scared of the facts are you???
You expect an argument of any kind on a powder puff promise of doing
more to end political corruption ?
What is YOUR position on it then ?
I’m guessing most conservatives are pro-promises, but they are still opposed to compromise, or solutions, based on the record.
You expect an argument of any kind on a powder puff promise of doing more to end political corruption ? What is YOUR position on it then ? I’m guess most conservatives are pro-promises, but they are still opposed to compromise, or solutions, based on the record.Those who think LePage is addressing the issues that the State faces are suffering from LePage Derangement Syndrome. And indeed it is a sad disorder.The loss of any sense of humor or tolerance that the suffers manifest, proves just how sad it is and they are.But there is hope. People are working on it. A cure for this terrible debilitating affliction is on the horizon. I expect an announcement of a partial cure, on the first Weds. in November of this very year. See the photo accompanying the article, and ask ; > Govenah, how much good do think this will do ? > So, how long do you think your nose is right now, Govenah ? Any other suggestions ? : )
These are some of your posts on just this article.
Do you see anything constructive?
Do you do ANYTHING other then belittling people?
NO
I’ve come to realize, You don’t appear to know anything about these topics.
It is all here, on this same page for all to see, in its context even, already,
so what is your point, exactly ?
Is IT constructive ?
When the Dems had the Maine house and Senate in their control, they wouldn’t let any repub chair any committe and rarly gave them space at the table…. Also with Pelosi and Reed in control of the house and senate they outright told the repubs that they didn’t care what they had to say, and did so in public… and you speak of compromise…bites doesn’t it??
Why, do the GOTea need experienced help chairing committees ?
Another Great Idea from Our Governor Paul LePage!!! Now we will be able to see who is bribing the board members on the Gaming Board, Housing Board,MTA Everything… Thank You!!!!!!
Hmmmmmm….not long ago I and others posted that same idea, interesting……thinking maybe someone in Augusta reads our posts and runs with it. That being said I guess it does not matter in this case where the idea came from, but, that it actaully gets done!
you are right. only facts matter.
Maybe they smelled the tar and saw the feathers.
The White House put out a similar plan a week ago, it’s assumed that’s where he got the idea. Great policy because no one can criticize it. Needs to go deeper as the President’s plan has suggested.
A great idea and no one from either party can refute that. There is much too much stuff going on and we need to stop it. Let’s keep the ideas coming. We will all benefit from this thinking outside the box.
It’s about time he had one. It’s a first for Paulie. Too bad it’s not original.
” executive branch officials”
Does this include King Paul?
Maybe this law will finally tell us why Paul Lepage favors Canadian workers over Americans.
Probably because they actually have an education and are willing to actually work…….
Ever see what MEMIC charges for workers comp insurance for the logging industry? There is no shortage of loggers willing to work, its just more cost effective to hire Canadians.
That’s an honest response. Who has a problem with the FREE unfettered, open market.
Ohhhh, took me a moment, Because Canadiens have FREE healthcare. So the company doesn’t have to pay for the insurance, Right?
Most civilized countries have universal health care.
It makes their business more competitive as everyones posts here show.
You say that because you don’t understand the labor certification process for obtaining foreign laborers. To be truthful, had it not been for Canadians making up for labor shortages, many American operations would have been forced to lay off Americans. I know this firsthand because I worked in this process for many years.
Contrary to your assertion, there is still a shortage of loggers in certain areas of the state. If you are interested or know someone interested in one of those jobs contact the labor department.
A friend of mine wanted to apply for a job in the north woods.
The guy at the state employment office told him not to even bother filling out the forms unless he could “parle francais”
If this actually happened, it’s a violation of law against discrimination. The ability to speak French is not a requirement for logging. The only exception to such a requirement would apply to a vender who does business with French speaking clients. Anyway, I believe there are many Americans in Northern Maine who could fulfill this “parle francais” requirement.
The language requirement was just an excuse to only hire Canadians who need no worker comp insurance.
It wouldn’t be so bad if many of the companies who hire these cheap Canadian workers weren’t the same people who violently oppose any type for affordable health care for Americans.
Then it doesn’t sound like a legitimate excuse. It needs to be challenged through the labor department. Are you willing to do it to correct a wrong?
This happened about 20 years ago at the Skowhegon unemployment office.
Lepage’s latest ruling on the question has made it almost impossible to hire Americans regardless..
Wasn’t it Lepage who said Northern Mainers are bad parents and should all just move away.
I think the governor should release his income tax forms to the public. Let’s see what he has his hands in.
Isn’t it available?
crook..crook..crook…
Sounds good to me, just like stopping insider trading in Congress. Anytime there is an opening for malfeasance, someone, like Paul Violet, will drive a tank through it. Tighten up the whole process.
That is Mr. LePage to you peons…
One of the few times I actually agree with him although go one step further and require it of state employees as well. It’s good internal control regardless of one’s level within state government.
removed
I’s ironic that LePage comes out with this bill just after President Obama stated in his State Of The Union Address that he was going to put forth the same bill and did so last week that will check on Senate and Congressional staff and their bosses on inside tradeing and that they will not be able to use their influence in the stock market etc. In other words…where is all the money coming from in out side sources that might influence their votes. Smart move by the President and a good follow up by the Governor…he got it from the same guy that he told could kiss his ***. The same guy that holds the federal money strings that go into each state budget….Maybe that is why DHHS is going under…federal dollars are not coming into Maine like they did before, so the state has to pick up the rest….Which is true because my republican congress and senate people cut the money to fund these programs…called trying to balance the federal budget…
Couldn’t just once leave it at Good job….
Disclosure and transparency are good for government. Those rules should be applied to the PACs that spend so much money getting certain candidates elected. This transparency in our electoral process seems to be slipping away.
I really am curious as to what happens when more Democrats are up for election. How can you kvetch about it if your doing the same thing.
Not putting’ down the DNC , it would be the same if positions were reversed.
How about making Stacey Fitts recuse himself from all things wind power. He personally blocked 13 bills on the Energy and Utilities committee brought by citizens who have been run over by Baldacci’s/Adams wind MAFIA.
Same for Jon Hinck and Alex du Houx on the same committee.
All make money (or their spouses do) from the wind industry.
A DISGRACE.
See:
http://www.windtaskforce.org/photo/eut-chair-conflict-of-interest?context=latest
Wow, You know stuff.
These conflicts are blatent. Fitts’ employer Kleinschmidt has contracts with wind companies. Hinck’s wife Juliet Browne represents First Wind, Angus King’s wind development, and TransCanada. She also helped write the heinous Expedited Wind Permitting statute and reaps plenty of high priced billing hours from it. Wind=$$$ in that household! Cornell du Houx is just plain stupid, being involved with a group that touts useless wind turbines as the solution to not fighting mid-east wars. Less than 2% of US electricity is produced by oil fired generators and the top two oil exporting countries to the US are Canada & Mexico. Quite a stretch to equate oil and destroying Maine’s uplands with sprawling industrial wind projects, young Mr. Cornell du Houx!
You took the words right out of my mouth, especially the part about Hink. He sits as a ranking member of the EUT Committee and quashes any proposed bill that doesn’t directly benefit the wind industry in this state whiole his wife Juliet Browne makes millions for the law firm she is a partner in (when she’s not being censured by an ethics legal oversight panel herself!) . How he can continue to not recuse himself from these votes and not have it be a conflict of interest and a breach of ethics is beyond me. Crook Hink is now going to run for the US Congressional seat – what a joke!
Fitts and du Houx are almost as bad. Both work for companies/organizations that directly benefit from their decisions/votes on the EUT. Fitts’ employer brags about that fact.
Politics at it’s worst with these three mutts.
I hope it addresses a way to fire the Governor!
Plus get our Murals back for the people of Maine to view, not hidden in Andrienne’s closet:)
Is it true that suffers of LePage Derangement Syndrome think you really can cut taxes and balance the budget, too ?
Once again I don’t support the person I end up defending, Drives me nuts.
Cute Joke. What do you think of the bill????
Seems like the same kinda of politically pleasing softball that President Obama put out last week. Must be tough when there’s an article about something you can’t criticize.
Great idea on both parts regardless of the motivation That’s what I say. Results are all I care about. The less politicians are allowed to hide the less power they wield, the less attractive the seats will be for people that don’t really care about anyone but themselves.
TERM LIMITS
“Commonsenseaintsocommon:
Couldn’t just once leave it at Good job…. ?”
1 hour ago in reply to Olegrizz
PARTISAN: a firm adherent to a party, faction, cause, or person; especially: one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasoning allegiance
”
Is it true that suffers of LePage Derangement Syndrome think you really can cut taxes and balance the budget, too ?”
That the average conversation at your house??
You most certainly ARE partisan.
MY comment to that individual said NOTHING derogatory about him.
I simply stated that it would be nice if on the rare occasion we agree with someone wouldn’t it be nice if we said, “nice job” Instead of getting a dig in afterwards. Wouldn’t you love to see someone that disagrees With someone you support say, “Well, ya got me there GOOD JOB. Maybe there’s something else we have in common LET”S LOOK”
I don’t think that’s too unreasonable and by the way, THAT is the OPPOSITE of Partisan.
This has nothing to do with who is right. It has to do with the good ole” “Do unto others.” rule. That’s not religious. that’s about common courtesy and consideration we all deserve.
Nobody is showing anyone they are better when they comeback with venomous stupidity. They’re often proving they know very little about the issues and that’s the best they can do. We’re adults. “Oh no, someone I don’t know called me a name” makes as much sense as calling a telemarketer names . They don’t know you, Why would they care what you think?
Good job ?
… in ending our discussion , One of the Congregation.
Good work ?
Yeppers I think so. Some people think that because can work and that they should not have to help those who can’t work and so would like to abolish the food stamp program and Maine Care and all manner of social services, That is untill they find themselves in need of it.
just wanted to say that this is my FAVORITE picture of LePage.
There is no “good” picture of the buffoon:)
Why don’t we just hire a private detective for every politician. They could shadow them and constantly look over their shoulder. Monitor their every move, record every transaction, tape every statement, and just generally keep them honest. We could probably cut the excesses in half! lol.
Okay.
Great idea!
Good work, Governor.