Senate Republicans Told Legislative Council will not have Treasurer Testify

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2007

AUGUSTA– The President of the Senate and Speaker of the House have denied the Senate Republican Leaders’ request for a Legislative Council investigation of the actions of the State Treasury. The request was made last week by Senate Republican Leader Carol Weston (R-Waldo) and Assistant Senate Republican Leader Richard Rosen (R-Hancock). Today Republican leadership received a letter from Democratic Leadership stating that the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs would handle this issue.

Where is the leadership? A recent audit of the Maine Cultural Affairs Council found that less than $4000 was spent inappropriately. This was enough for Democrat Leadership in the legislature to propose legislation eliminating the Maine Cultural Affairs Council as it currently exists. The Assistant Senate Democrat Leader, John Martin, didn’t push the issue into a committee but rather took it upon himself to write the law.

Now that $20 million is lost, Democrat leadership in the legislature wants to delegate responsibility for handling the loss to a committee. If $4000 is worthy of the attention of Democrat Leadership certainly $20 million is?

“This is an issue that should be addressed by the leadership of the legislature,” Senator Weston said. “The Appropriations Committee should certainly examine why this occurred, ultimately but the loss of $20 million should be the focus of the Senate President and Speaker of the House.”

Now is the time to lead. The loss of a significant amount of tax dollars through an investment in sub prime mortgages should be the top priority of Democrat and Republican leadership, yet the majority party seems content to delegate responsibility to a committee rather than address the loss themselves.

Democrat Leadership may not want answers from Treasurer Lemoine on how tax dollars are managed but Republican Leadership does and they will continue to ask the important questions.

CONTACT:

William Thompson                    287-1505 (o)
Communications Director, Senate Republican Office

###

Back to the Senate Republican Press Room