Yesterday, another opinion piece in this newspaper encouraged Maine voters to, once again, embrace business-as-usual in Washington. It was composed by one of my 2010 Republican gubernatorial primary opponents, Les Otten.
Instead of commenting on my record of fiscal reform as Maine State Treasurer, Otten complains about an old campaign ad which exposed the massive losses by Mainers who bought stock in his failed American Skiing Company.
He mentions my objection 21 years ago to spending $100 million to widen a short stretch of turnpike to relieve congestion for a small number of summer weekend hours. I have no tolerance for wasteful spending, whether at the Maine Turnpike Authority or any other government agency.
The piece misleadingly questions my strong commitment to individual gun rights by citing a small, single donation I made 23 years ago. He fails to mention my membership in and “A” rating from the NRA.
Otten even goes back 15 years to dig up an unfortunate disagreement between abutting property owners. I’m at a loss for words.
On Tuesday, I don’t believe Maine Republican voters will select their U.S. Senate nominee based on who throws the most mud. They will choose the candidate with a proven track record of conservative reforms needed in Washington to control spending, eliminate debt and rebuild our economy. Wisconsin voters recently made the same point loud and clear.
I’m proud of my 35 years in the private sector. Much of that experience was in the investment management industry. My partners and I worked hard, played by the rules and built a successful company. In doing so, we helped thousands of American workers enjoy more secure retirements by prudently investing their precious savings.
I understand the financial markets. I know how to create the climate that attracts business investment and jobs. I’ve felt the heavy weight of being responsible for the safe and productive investment of someone else’s money.
I’ve taken that real-world experience to Maine State Treasury. I’m equally proud of working alongside Gov. Paul LePage to help put Maine’s fiscal house in order. The new administration engaged the two most powerful unions in the state — the teachers and state employees.
For six exhausting months, I traveled throughout Maine (at my own nickel), explaining to taxpayers why common-sense and fair pension reforms were desperately needed. I talked one-on-one with legislators, testified before the state Appropriations Committee, met with newspaper editorial boards, debated union representatives on TV, called talk radio, presented to rotary clubs and other civic groups and blogged nearly every week about this critically important issue. I returned hundreds of phone calls and emails, even though many were personal and nasty.
In the end, we convinced enough legislators to adopt pension reforms that eliminated $1.7 billion in public debt. This cut future spending by roughly $200 million per year. The largest tax cut in Maine history followed, $150 million. Our state budget is in better shape, and the pension plan is more secure.
I also turned my attention to the quasi-independent authorities, such as Maine State Housing Authority. I exposed nearly $300,000 taxpayer dollars being spent on 1,100-square-foot “affordable” apartments, while 6,500 vulnerable families waited for safe units to call home. The criticism poured in from special interest groups across the state. I stood my ground, told the truth and did what was right.
Now, the new MSHA board is rapidly changing the building standards to drive down the cost for low-income housing in Maine. More of our disadvantaged families will be helped, and the taxpayers will be treated fairly.
The time is right for Maine to send someone to the U.S. Senate who has the business experience and guts to make the tough decisions to help fix the financial crisis in Washington. I have that experience and a successful track record of fiscal reform. I’m ready and eager to do the hard work for the people of Maine.
Bruce Poliquin is the state treasurer of Maine and a Republican primary candidate for U.S. Senate.
I’m a liar and a sneak. I’m perfect for Washington.
That must be his “I got away with tree farm tax fraud” smile.
Wicked ridiculous. All his critiques could apply directly to himself — that’s called hypocrisy. Complains about insiders and “business as usual” (typical regurgitated talking points/buzz phrases) and then in the same breath goes on to boast about his years and years in politics. Complains about mud throwing and then throws mud.
What about bragging about traveling the state on his own “nickel”? Yeah and how much of that “nickel” was dollars freed up from those thousands in tax credits he enjoys? And then complains about special interests?
God, give it a rest. It’s guys like Poliquin that feed the stereotype of politicians being slimy and smarmy.
Well, Otten is a skunk so I wonder why Poliquin felt the need to reply.
Cause Poliquin’s stinkier than a skunk and lower than the ankle of an ant.
GOP voters vote by name recognition and church affiliation.
The lies and deceit keep coming from this shameless opportunist. As a Mainer, if he was elected, I’d be embarassed to tell people he was my Senator.
Such strange times when rudeness passes for prowess and greed is glorious.
No reform with this LOSER, just more LIES.
Really, Bruce, you believe you have a record of fiscal “reform?” Let’s see, you “fixed” the state pension liability by increasing employee contributions 2% and reducing the state contribution 2% which results in ZERO INCREASE IN FUNDING, once again letting Maine taxpayers avoid the liability they agreed to over 60 years ago and have failed to live up to. So how does that fix anything? It doesn’t. The fund IS on its way to full funding because of the actions taken by the legislature several years ago. It will be fully funded well in advance of your doomsday prediction. That’s LIE no. 1. Lie no. 2 is when you failed to honor your tree growth plan. You know full well that you were merely using it for a tax dodge as your property has covenants on it prohibiting tree harvesting. Really, either you’re a liar, or you’re pretty doggone stupid to not have read the deed. Either way, you’re bad news for Maine. Now, along with the lies, you flaunt the state constitution by continuing to be involved in your business activites IN SPITE OF the state constitution’s prohibiting it. Once again, either you’re a liar, because you went ahead and continued your business operations without regard to the state constitution, or you’re pretty doggon dumb to have not known that provision was there in the first place. Your most recent bout of dishonesty comes from how you’re handling your senate campaign finances and lying about who you paid, how much you paid, and when you paid them. Again, either you’re lying or you’re stupid. My vote is that you’re both.
The pension system was raided long before anyone you’ve mentioned got on the problem. I’m not sure how long anyone thought the system could survive but it can not fail. Payments are due and paid. If instead, they did nothing and gone into the red then you would have a legitimate argument. It’s a high maintenance system. Some years more so than others. That’s just how it is. Zero is a valid number. A null value is not. It was a 2010 campaign issue thoroughly vetted, and not one person is going to solve it or should be blamed for a problem that some never would have created to begin with.
Tree growth and tax dodge. Sure. You and others have spent more time hitting on an issue that has long since been resolved than the time of day, it took to query for a ruling regarding the use of tree growth. Is there another amount of tax owed? Is there a problem with planting a grove of trees? Did the deed state how many?
Respectfully, to those that reviewed and ruled on the issue of whether or not a treasurer of state can have within the limits of the constitutional law a business, all have ruled in favor of the position of the treasurer. There’s a difference. Namely following the rule of law. It was merely a yes or no answer question.
Campaign finance. Which comes first. The day the signatures are due or the day the campaign’s financial report is due? Regardless, it’s on file, there’s more than one filing date. The dollar amount in question was $1750.
While he was attacking the retirement sysstem , he was using 2008 figures.He was saying that was still the condition in 2010.Not exactly lying , just using figures that weren’t current to create what he wanted.Seems like someone I couldn’t trust to get the truth from, well,HIS truth.
What you fail to give credit for is solving the equity position of the retirement accounts.
A person with 35 years experience in finance that can stabilize the retirement system is an asset. It would be like if, Peter Lynch lived in Maine, and thought to become treasurer. I’m sure with a name like that, people would understand more so about the level of expertise required to manage multi-billion dollar pension funds. Investment and finance.
It is as critical an issue to the state’s pension fund as it is a campaign issue. No other candidate has anywhere near the experience or the ability to manage assets.
It would like every person here forming a baseball team and playing the Red Sox.
There’s no red herring. Only home runs.
“not exactly lying” sums Bruce’s character up pretty well
You obviously don’t know what the tree growth tax is, or how it relates to Poliquin’s property.
No, I don’t. What’s the issue over? $1200, or something. They said they’d not claim the credit and moved on. So what. They forced the issue to see if they could, and the answer is no. But, I don’t have television and wonder if this is now an attack ad against Poliquin being run on TV? In here, to me it’s just a Spam attack. Consider the life of a tree before drawing such hasting conclusions.
Please consider the life of humans before defending Poliquin.
That is right! And I think that is Poliquin himself, using an alias.
Good diatribe but whether it was LePage, Poliquin or someone else, the pension system needed to be dealt with before it mushroomed further out of control. You slipped in that Maine taxpayers agreed to something 60 years ago and are thus liable. It is doubtful anything was agreed to, but even if so, wat may have been agreed to in the 1950’s does not resemble what this behemoth has become. The pension issue became a problem after it was misused by organized labor to benefit their membersf. It is out of control. Kudos to anyone trying to fix it.
If your against Poliquin then your against Lepage, great news!
Fiqueres dont Lie But Poliquin can figure!
He’s planning on the ignorance of the extreme right voters. After all, they did put LePage in the Blaine House. Here’s hoping he does win the republican primary. He won’t stand an ice cube’s chance in hell after that.
If Senators Muskie, Mitchell, Snowe and Collins have set the standard for the sort of delegates Maine voters prefer to send to Washington to do their bidding, Mr. Poliquin would seem to have a steep hill to climb.
Only to reach the outhouse!
Sorry Bruce, but my vote will go to the candidate that is pro life, pro 2nd Amendment & anti Quimby
My votes go to Charlie Summers for Senate & Blaine Richardson for Congress
Too bad neither will win.
That’s one small step up from Brucie, you are evolving. Some day you will make it all the way to Democrat.
If you want to support a candidate with a true conservative record you would be voting for Rick Bennett. Mr. Summers voted to increase taxes — the gas tax and the sales tax. Clearly you haven’t been watching the debates.
I know Charlie Summers rather well, he has taken the time to work with small business, even when it wasnt part of his job. Has Rick taken the time out of his work schedule, and weekends to meet with and mentor small business…?
It’s really hard to pick out one particular loser in this republican field of losers.
Almost of of the MSHA funding comes from the federal government which sets minimum standards.
Can Poliquin say ANYTHING without lying?
…exposed nearly $300,000 taxpayer dollars being spent on 1,100-square-foot “affordable” apartments, while 6,500 vulnerable families waited for safe units to call home
Total and complete LIE. A developer bid that much and was deemed to be the most qualified bidder so MSHA told them to cut the cost and come back with a new bid. Poliquin was repeatedly informed of this but continues to tell his LIE.
Also, the federal government requires MSHA to give priority to projects that renovate historical buildings and remove lead paint and asbestos — these federal rules add a great deal of cost to the units..
This is why Paul LePage praised similar units that cost over $300k each (more than the ones Poliquin is lying and whining about) in Waterville and called them a great deal for taxpayers.
oops
Yes, if the final bid was closer to $230k then I recall that story the same way. Started as $270k but $300k is used, and in any event one has to ask how an 1,100 sq.ft. unit cost that kind of money. Just one of those red flags someone must have raised in a meeting when asking what cost $300k and is only 1,100 sq. ft.? The Answer Is: “Affordable Housing!”
… and yet it cost MORE for the units in Waterville that earned such high praise from LePage.
The requirements that go waaaaaay beyond what any private owner must do make this sort of housing expensive. Republicans, like Poliquin the liar, know this and praise it until they want to attack a political opponent. That is called hypocrisy.
If you don’t like these rules you should fight to change them, but do not enable liars like Poliquin who are making sh*t up and LYING to us.
It is as simple a notion as Mr. Poliquin states and that is to “solve the problem.”
$10M homes where people live now as they are occupied in Waterville, should not be debated online.
http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2011/11/14/politics/maine-treasurer-questions-public-housing-costs/
Places that are proposed for construction should be, and that is what the treasurer has done.
I have not heard from anyone to the contrary more money should be spent per unit.
My observation is that Poliquin sometimes acts in a state of disbelief when learning of new expenditures.
It is a lie to some that wait in hope for affordable housing, that the state will never offer them any such place to afford. There is no possible way to add 6500 units of inventory. So, instead they wait until a unit becomes available.
It’s a question for all the candidates.
No, the cost was still over $265,000 per unit. This was a done deal. Construction began in January 2012. Here’s the ONLY mention of the Elm Terrace project the very next month, after McCormick finally discloses, after KNOWING ABOUT IT FOR FOUR months about the high cost per unit:
ELM TERRACE
“Dan Brennan updated the Board on recent developments on Elm Terrace which include: official papers have been signed, a closing date of December 20 has been set, preparations are underway to build at the site, and rehabilitation will begin in the next couple of days. Dan has implemented internal controls to prevent substantive increases in development costs.”
Here’s the website for that:http://www.mainehousing.org/docs/boarddocs/december-2011-meeting-minutes.pdf?sfvrsn=4
That’s complete BS. This is taken STRAIGHT from the November 2011 minutes of the meeting of the MSHA meeting: “Commissioner McCormick gave an update on the Elm Terrace project. She stated that on August 31 we learned that the projected end price was going to be $314,000. At that time, we requested the developer cut costs to $265,000 per unit. They have sent their response, and it will be reviewed by our Finance Committee.” Here’s the website:
http://www.mainehousing.org/docs/boarddocs/november-2011-meeting-minutes.pdf?sfvrsn=4What's of note is that if you GO BACK to the September 2011, wouldn’t you think McCormick SHOULD HAVE disclosed that the cost per unit was that high? Go take a look, she says NOTHING. But what does happen is that she is found to have defrauded the taxpayers by the way she reported her “business mileage” and the MSHA REISSUES her new W-2s for the years 2008, 2009, 2010. Remember, by this time, Paul Violette was indicted for felony theft, and everyone at MSHA could read the writing on the wall. “Deputy Director Adam Krea distributed a spreadsheet showing taxable fringe benefit adjustments that will be made to the Director’s taxable income for 2008, 2009, and 2010. After consulting with Baker, Newman and Noyes, MaineHousing will issue amended W-2 tax statements so the Director will be able to file amended tax returns for the three years. Given the nature, size, and steps taken to rectify the error, Adam stated that this does not pose any risk to MaineHousing. The process of tracking business miles driven by the Director has been changed. She will keep a log tracking actual miles driven for business purposes.”
Here’s the website for that:
http://www.mainehousing.org/docs/boarddocs/september-2011-meeting-minutes.pdf?sfvrsn=2
And why don’t you quit posting anonymously and come out (no pun intended) so we can see what YOUR vested interest is…Not that I expect that you would have the courage to do that…
Yeah, like the MINIMUM STANDARDS that the MSHA was TOO BUSY with their catered lunches and breakfast meetings, massages, and free coffee and monthly “education and training” programs to make sure were being met out in Norway.
Poliquin will say whatever he thinks will get him elected. He selectively addressed only a few of the valid concerns that Otten raised.
Poliquin: Ethics? We don’t need no stinkin’ ethics…
Another article, another round of lies and half-truths from the Treasurer. Bruce did not get an “A” from the NRA, he got an “AQ” which just means he filled out their questionnaire.
Apropos your comment re the Maine State Housing Authority, Mr. Poliquin. You stood your ground alright. You may also wish, deep down, that those emails in which it was shown that you and your cohorts deliberately set out to destroy the Director of this Authority, had never seen the light of day. So you claim that the new MSHA board is changing the building standards to drive down the cost of low-income housing? That is such an elitist statement! Will you stand and fault the new Director when he follows these guidelines and these low-cost units that you are advocating so vehemently, fall apart after less than five years because of shoddy materials and workmanship thereby wasting taxpayers’ monies? My dad was a plumber and he always said, “You get what you pay for.”And the pension reforms you so gloat about? Are you aware of the role you played in the lives of people who have been adversely affected by these “reforms?” Sorry, Mr. Poliquin, as for me and my house, you will not get our votes.