From Thursday's Maine Heritage Policy Center newsletter (via email):
On Monday, the U.S. Senate voted on an amendment that would ban earmarks, the legislative direction of federal funds for pet projects within an elected official's home state. Although the amendment was defeated by a vote of 56 to 39, Maine Senator Olympia Snowe cast her vote in favor of the earmark ban.
Below is a statement released yesterday by MHPC Communications Director Chris Cinquemani:
"The Maine Heritage Policy Center thanks Senator Olympia Snowe for her vote in favor of an amendment to ban legislative earmarks. This amendment, although largely symbolic, is an important step in demonstrating to taxpayers that the message they have sent has been heard. Maine people expect and deserve a federal government that is committed to fiscal restraint and common sense spending. Senator Snowe has shown that she has heard that message, and that she will abide by the will of Maine's struggling families and entrepreneurs. The Senator can count on our support as she and her colleagues search for ways to restrain government spending and improve the job climate."
Contact Senator Snowe's office today to thank her for standing firm against congressional pork: (202) 224-5344
Under the Statehouse Dome
Many of the officials who won on Election Day ran on a platform of lower taxes, less spending, less debt, and greater liberty for Maine citizens and entrepreneurs. Now that they are in office, we have two important tasks: first, to support those officials who advance these pro-growth policies in Augusta. Second, to hold officials accountable, and make sure they keep their word.
NOTE: To contact our
newly elected Representative, Dave Johnson: DJHouse20@Gmail.com
State Senator Richard Rosen: www.SenatorRichardRosen.com - or - rrosen113@aol.com
Supreme Court to rule on Matching Funds
On November 29, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case originating in Arizona to strike down The Grand Canyon State's matching funds provision included in its Clean Elections Act, on the basis that the provision violates free speech.
Matching funds "are distributed by the state to publicly funded candidates in order to offset private fundraising advantages of candidates who raise money the traditional way by soliciting donations from private interests, as well as spending on behalf of candidates by independent political groups."
Like Arizona, Maine's Clean Elections Act includes a matching funds provision. Earlier this year, The Maine Heritage Policy Center, in partnership with the James Madison Center for Free Speech, filed suit against Maine's matching funds provision. Our case has been appealed to federal court, but the outcome of the Arizona case in the Supreme Court may render our case in Maine a non-issue. If the Supreme Court rules Arizona's matching funds provision unconstitutional, Maine's will be as well.
Stay tuned...
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