Members of the press,
​
If you are planning to continue covering the Speaker Mark Eves / Good Will-Hinckley controversy, we have a few questions that should be asked of the Speaker, the GWH Board, and Speaker Eves’ political employees and subordinates who are connected to the legislature and GWH.

– QUESTION: Is it an appropriate use of power, as a matter of personal ethics, for Speaker Eves to seek a high paying job from Good Will-Hinckley, which is funded through the state budget, during the same time period Speaker Eves’ holds power over the state budget and funding for the school?

– QUESTION: How can Speaker Eves negotiate, on one side of the ledger, funding levels for GWH through the state budget, and at the same time negotiate a salary for himself from the same entity?

– QUESTION: Is it EVEN POSSIBLE for GWH and Speaker Eves to negotiate “in good faith” when Speaker Eves is, at the same exact time, holding power over government funding of GWH and negotiating a salary from GWH?

– QUESTION: By the very nature of this situation, wouldn’t GWH be in a compromised situation, and potentially facing unreasonable pressure, explicit or implicit, to comply with the wishes of the Speaker and his allies?

– QUESTION: What happens if GWH, who Speaker Eves is seeking employment from (and has a record of years of hostility toward), declines to hire him?

– QUESTION: Will Speaker Eves release all communications and documents relating to his interviews, negotiations, hiring and dismissal by Good Will-Hinckley in advance of any investigation?

– QUESTION: Below are some segments from the GWH President job description that was provided in the job posting:
“Experience working with legislators, state policy makers, and governmental agencies. (required)”​

“Fulfillment and advancement of the mission of GWH/MeANS and its programs Oversight of educational programs; operations; finance; and admissions Forming productive partnerships with private and public interests and agencies Development/Advancement, fund raising, and communications efforts”

If the role of GWH President requires the GWH President, who is a compensated employee, to work with legislators, state policy makers and governmental agencies and to work on development, fundraising and communications efforts, this would appear to fit the description of compensated lobbying.

But, in 2013, the Legislature passed, and Governor LePage signed into law a reform requiring legislators to observe a one-year cooling off period before beginning a new position as a compensated lobbyist.

How does Speaker Eves explain this apparent conflict, which goes beyond personal ethics, to a possible conflict with existing law?

As this situation continues to play out through the press, your readers will be seeking answers to these critical questions.

Sincerely,
Jason Savage

Bangor Daily News article says Eves was told by Maine Ethics Commission that once hired, he should recuse himself from deliberations on funding, but Eves continued behind closed doors for 6 days

AUGUSTA – The Bangor Daily News is reporting that Speaker of the House Mark Eves was told by the Maine Ethics Commission that once hired by Good Will-Hinckley,he should consider recusing himself from deliberations.

​Eves’ hiring was announced on June 9, 2015.

Eves continued in closed door meetings on the state budget through June 15, 2015, according to media accounts of the negotiations.

The Good Will-Hinckley school is funded both via GPA and the miscellaneous costs portion of the state budget.

GPA funding was one of the key pieces of the budget Speaker Eves, Senate Minority Leader Justin Alfond and Democrats trumpeted as Democrat victories in the budget negotiations.

It is unclear how Speaker Eves could have followed the Maine Ethics Commission’s guidance on recusing himself while continuing behind closed doors negotiations on the funding, and then declaring he had successfully negotiated the funding he was advised to recuse himself from negotiating.

Eves hiring announced on June 9, 2015: 
http://www.pressherald.com/2015/06/09/house-speaker-mark-eves-named-new-president-of-good-will-hinckley/

Budget deal Eves helped craft behind closed doors announced on June 15, 2015:
http://www.pressherald.com/2015/06/15/maine-legislative-leaders-announce-budget-agreement/

Bangor Daily News reports Eves was told he should recuse himself once hired:
http://bangordailynews.com/2015/06/29/politics/state-house/state-senator-requests-formal-investigation-of-lepage-involvement-in-eves-firing/

AUGUSTA – Maine Republican Party Chairman Rick Bennett today released the following statement regarding the dismissal of Speaker of the House Mark Eves as the President from the Goodwill Hinckley School:

“The Governor is right to draw attention to an unfortunate reality in Maine governance.  When they reach the end of their terms, too many powerful legislative leaders seem to end up in well-paid sinecures funded by the taxpayers. This is a problem that has existed prior to the question on Speaker Eves.

“A brief look at recent history in Augusta shows numerous Democrats landing well-paid positions with little qualification to do the job. Even our Constitutional Officer positions (Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer) have become soft landing places for Democrat politicians.

“Systems of accountability are compromised seriously when friendships put niceties over results. There seems to be an expectation among Democrats that this is business as usual and it should not even be questioned. I disagree.  I believe such practices should always be questioned.

“As government gets bigger and more powerful, the revolving door becomes an ever-greater problem.  Republicans need to stand up and fight political patronage and insist Maine tax dollars be spent responsibly at every turn. Speaker Eves is no exception.”

MAINE GOP RAISES ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Concerns of Quid Pro Quo
Following are some additional items that have received little coverage by the news media thus far in this controversy:
Bill Brown is employed by Speaker Eves as his Special Assistant for Budget and Policy in the State House. http://legislature.maine.gov/house/staffspk.htm
At the same time he serves as Chairman of the Board of the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences at Good Will-Hinckley. http://www.means-gwh.org/AboutUs/MeANSBoardofDirectors.aspx
–
Meaning of the word “discretionary” lost on Democrats and press
The funding in question is spent at the discretion of the Governor. The Governor is well within his legal limits to withhold funding if he feels the money should not be spent. Speaker Eves’ track record in opposing charter schools and managing fiscal matters in legislative policy certainly raise serious concerns about how this funding will be spent.
–
Eves and Democrats hack away at discretionary charter school funding, yet Eves still wants his paycheck. (But non-citizen welfare in Portland will still get paid)

Mark Eves and Democrats successfully pushed to cut $5.5 million from the ‘Miscellaneous Costs’ portion of the state education budget. This is a pool of funds that is spent at the discretion of the LePage Administration. It is also where the $530,000 in funding for Good Will-Hinckley that is often discussed by the press is paid from.

In an apparent rush to satisfy public school interests, Speaker Eves and Democrats hacked away $5.5 million from this fund, and moved those funds into GPA.

This resulted in some districts being able to pull back some of their local education funds and fill the gap with additional state funds.

In Portland, the additional $1.8 million in state funds that Eves and Democrats got by raiding the charter school discretionary fund is now going to be spent funding general assistance welfare for non-citizens.

It is unclear if Speaker Eves is even aware that the $5.5 million cut he made to the ‘Miscellaneous Costs’ is where a significant portion of Good Will-Hinckley’s funding comes from.
​
How could the leaders at Good Will-Hinckley reconcile holding on to a school President who has opposed the very existence of their schools for years and just recently raided the fund that supports their school?
–
Eves & Democrats being allowed to misplace responsibility, GWH simply says they want to remain ‘apolitical’
Questions remain about the full reasoning behind Good Will-Hinckley’s ultimate decision, but, given Good Will-Hinckley’s statement expressing a desire to remain ‘apolitical’, the funding issue alone is not a simple open-and-shut explanation.
Other questions should be asked of the situation surrounding Eves hiring and dismissal:

• Did Speaker Eves misrepresent the quality of his relationship with Governor LePage and/or Republicans in the Legislature?
• Did Speaker Eves suggest or commit to protecting, or working to acquire, funding or resources for Good Will-Hinckley that were thrown into doubt with the revelation of the $5.5 million cut to the ‘Miscellaneous Costs’ budget, or with deeper exploration of his position opposing charter schools?
• Did Speaker Eves’ plans to run for higher office in the First Congressional District, or for Governor, ultimately conflict with the desire of Good Will-Hinckley to remain ‘apolitical’?

###

Fearing another ballot box defeat, Democrats disenfranchise
hard-working Maine taxpayers​

AUGUSTA – Maine GOP Chairman Rick Bennett released the following statement in reaction to Maine House Democrats voting against a referendum to allow the Maine people to vote on eliminating Maine’s income tax.
​
“Today, the Maine Democratic Party looked the hard-working people of Maine in the eyes and denied them a voice and a choice on one of the biggest issues of the day – how they will be taxed,” said Chairman Bennett.

“This is remarkably disappointing,” continued Mr. Bennett. “Hard-working Maine people foot the bill for these lawmakers’ choices, but Democrats don’t respect voters enough to allow them a voice in a statewide referendum.”

“I believe that Democrats realize their position is so wrong on this issue that they fear the Maine people will rebuke them at the ballot box, just as they rebuked the stale, failed Democrat message in the 2014 elections,” said Mr. Bennett. “By fighting to continue the stranglehold of this unpopular and oppressive tax, Democrats are demonstrating that they view Maine people as a cash-cow to fund the choices of Augusta politicians, not as honest, hard-working people who deserve their say on how their tax money is raised and spent.”

Chairman Bennett concluded by reminding Democrats that this issue will be decided by voters eventually. “There will be a day of reckoning. This vote shows clearly how out of step Democrats in the Legislature are with Maine taxpayers, and they will learn from Maine voters that such a position is indefensible,” said Mr. Bennett.

AUGUSTA- The Maine Republican Party’s official youth initiative, #Gen207, released its inaugural “40 under 40” list today.
​
Over the past couple of months, Republican activists and leaders had the opportunity to nominate Maine Republicans under the age of 40 who are making a positive difference in their professions or communities, whether in public life, business, education, or other areas.

“The Maine GOP celebrates these extraordinary individuals not because they represent our future. They are moving Maine forward now in significant leadership roles,” said Maine GOP Chairman Rick Bennett. “They are in the forefront of an invigorating wave of young Mainers across the spectrum in the Republican Party. We welcome their involvement and leadership, and we look forward to supporting hundreds more young Republicans as they seek elected office and positions of leadership across Maine.”

“We are thrilled to recognize these #Gen207 40-under-40 award recipients,” said Jason Savage, executive director of the Maine GOP. “These exceptional leaders embody the purpose of #Gen207, to rejuvenate our party by empowering our youngest members.”

Inaugural #Gen207 40 under 40 Award Recipient List

Sam Adolphsen of Liberty; Chief Operating Officer at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Jamie Austin of Farmington; UMF College Republican Chair, Intern for the Governor’s Office
Trish Ayer of Winslow; Winslow Town Councilor
Curtis Ayotte of Farmingdale; Staff Assistant to Congressman Bruce Poliquin
Abby Bennett of Oxford; UMaine College Republican Chair
State Senator Eric Brakey of Auburn
Jamie Carter of Augusta; Communications Director for the Maine Senate Republican Office
Rob Caverly of Chelsea; Chief of Staff to Maine Senate President Michael Thibodeau
Dale Crafts Jr. of Lisbon; Lisbon Town Councilor
State Representative A.J. Edgecomb of Fort Fairfield
Matthew Gagnon of Yarmouth; CEO of the Maine Heritage Policy Center
Leland Graves of Bangor; UMaine graduate student, former field representative with the Maine Republican Party
Jason Greene of Durham; Androscoggin State Committee At-Large Member
Mayor Nick Isgro of Waterville
Lee Jackson of Old Town; RSU 34 Board of Director; Penobscot County Republican Committee Chair
Luke Jensen of Lewiston; Chairman of the Lewiston Republican City Committee
Ben Kelleher of Prospect; Waldo County State Committeeman
Mayor Jonathan LaBonte of Auburn; Director of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Management
Lauren LePage of Waterville; Executive Director of Maine People Before Politics
Hon. Aaron Libby of Waterboro
Andrew Mahaleris of Augusta; UMaine Student and Treasurer of UMaine College Republicans
Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason of Lisbon
Cynthia Mendros of Lewiston; Lewiston School Board
Isaac Misiuk of South Portland; CEO of Tomorrow’s Majority
Kate Norfleet of Scarborough; State Office Representative for US Senator Susan Collins
State Representative Matthew Pouliot of Augusta
Emily Roderick of Readfield; Kennebec County Republican Committee Chair
Shawn Roderick of Readfield; Assistant Secretary of the Maine Senate
Matthew Roy of Lewiston; Androscoggin County Commissioner
Ashley Ryan of Portland; RNC National Committeewoman
Ashley Sampson of Rome; Executive Assistant for Maine Senate President Michael Thibodeau
Ashley Simon of Hampden; UMaine student; member of #Gen207
David Sorensen of Augusta; Director of Policy Research and Media Relations at Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Billy Thompson of Brunswick; Management Analysis at the Governor’s Office of Policy and Management
State Representative Will Tuell of East Machias
State Representative Nathan Wadsworth of Hiram
Tyler Washburn of Bowdoin; Sagadahoc County State Committeeman
State Representative Dustin White of Washburn
Hon. Alex Willette of Augusta; RNC National Committeeman
Melissa Willette of Augusta; Senior Legislative Aide for the Maine House Republican Office
Blake Winslow of Presque Isle; Aroostook County Republican Committee Chair

AUGUSTA- The Maine Democratic Party and Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) continues to defend the status quo in Augusta.

Here’s the real truth behind their talking points

“It’s a huge giveaway to the wealthy.” FALSE
Leave it to Democrats to suggest that letting ALL MAINE PEOPLE keep their money is a giveaway to the wealthy. The current income tax treats income tax taxes everybody as if they were wealthy, with the top rate starting at $21k.

The Democrats object to moving anyone off the income tax rolls. In their so-called Better Deal, they rejected the Governor’s proposal to exempt individuals with income less than $9,7000 and started taxing income at $5,200. If they consider people making more than $5,200 a year wealthy, we might need more than a Constitutional amendment to set them straight.

What we’re proposing is to let people decide how to spend their own money and to stop penalizing work and investment in Maine. What Democrats are saying is that they know better than you do how to spend your money.

“It jeopardizes funding for education and other vital services.” FALSE and IRRESPONSIBLE

Democrats used the same tactics when we passed the tax cut in 2011 and it hasn’t come to fruition. Education funding in Maine has far outpaced inflation while our student population has declined. We need to focus on growing our private sector economy, not growing government spending. If Democrats are ready to get serious about education reform, let’s have that conversation rather than dragging our kids and our vulnerable populations into false political posturing.

“It will trigger property tax increases.” FALSE Eliminating the income tax is a state-level tax proposal. It would have no impact on property taxes. Let’s be clear, we’re not linking the elimination of the income tax to eliminating any specific programs or other revenue-generating options.

“It will make an unfair tax system even less fair.” FALSE
Subjecting Mainers to one of the largest tax burdens in the country is unfair. Creating an economy where young people flee for lack of opportunity is unfair. The status quo is unfair.

​The Property Tax Fairness Credit and the Sales Tax Fairness Credit proposed in the latest budget proposal are examples of the types of tools available.

“It is a failed prescription for growing Maine’s economy.” FALSE –

New Hampshire’s economy is exceedingly healthy with this prescription. They have faster GDP growth, higher incomes, and a consistently lower unemployment rate. The status quo is a demonstrably failed prescription for Maine’s economy.

BOTTOM Line:

LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE. By passing the Constitutional amendment through the legislature, we allow the people of Maine to decide how they will be taxed. They will have to approve it by referendum.

PORTLAND- Cumberland County Republican Committee (CRCC) Chair Eric Lusk today is calling on Westbrook City Councilor Paul Emery to resign immediately in light of his absurd behavior on Tuesday night at a Democrat Party budget forum in Scarborough.
Emery stood to address the crowd and said the following about Governor LePage:
​
“If (LePage) goes to see his maker it wouldn’t hurt my feelings a bit…”
“In some countries assassination is a political strategy,” (Emery continued) “but unfortunately not here.”

“Suggesting that assassination is ever appropriate is entirely unacceptable and he must resign immediately,” said Mr. Lusk. “Councilor Emery further revealed his lack of honesty and good judgment when he tried to deny making the comments and then stole the phone of the reporter who had recorded the comments. The people of Westbrook deserve better leaders than Councilor Emery.”

House Speaker Mark Eves (D-South Berwick) hosted the forum and afterwards condemned Emery’s shameful remarks, but did not stop Emery while he spoke in a room full of attendees at the Democrat event.

“While Republicans appreciate Eves’ condemnation of the remarks,” Lusk continued, “it is unfortunate than neither Speaker Eves or Senator Justin Alfond spoke up to stop Emery and set a better example for those in the room.”

Eric Lusk is the Chairman of the Cumberland County Republican Committee.
Cumberland County Republican Committee website: http://ccrcme.com/
###

Today RNC Chairman Reince Priebus announced Maine’s Republican National Committeeman, Alex Willette, has been appointed to the Committee on Arrangements for the 2016 RNC National Convention in Cleveland.
​
Maine GOP Chairman Rick Bennett praised Mr. Willette’s appointment: “Alex Willette is a rising star within the Republican Party. Chairman Priebus is to be commended for recognizing Alex’s good judgment and outstanding leadership in appointing him to the Committee on Arrangements for one of the most important Republican national conventions in generations. The Maine GOP is blessed to have the energies of many young leaders. As our national committeeman, Alex Willette is a prime example of the young talent the Maine GOP is blessed to have in leadership positions.”

National Committeeman Willette remained focused on the task of executing a world-class convention and electing a Republican to the Presidency: “After eight years of failed policies from the Obama Administration the 2016 Republican National Convention will be an excellent opportunity for us to share our vision of a more prosperous nation with the American people. I am honored that Chairman Priebus has selected me to serve on the committee that will plan the 2016 convention, and I look forward to it being a successful event that nominates the next President of the United States.”

The full text of RNC Chairman Reince Priebus’ announcement can be viewed here.

Chairman points to record of secrecy, Clinton’s recent email record scandal as reasons Maine people should reject her candidacy

Augusta- Maine Republican Party Chairman Rick Bennett released the following statement today in the wake of Hillary Clinton’s declaration that she will seek the Democrat nomination for President of the United States.
​
“Maine people, perhaps more than the people of any other state, strongly believe in transparency and accountability in government,” said Chairman Bennett. “Hillary Clinton’s record of scandal and secrecy, including her recent email scandal, is adverse to this inclination and the Maine tradition of honest government.”

“If Hillary Clinton had been in charge of a department of Maine State Government instead of working for the Obama administration, she would have been drummed out of office for the recent email scandal alone,” said Mr. Bennett. “Instead, Democrat leaders, including those in Maine, seem to be marching her toward a coronation to lead President Obama’s third term as President of the United States. In these difficult times, Maine people deserve and expect their candidates for President to be questioned and challenged to earn office, not crowned.”

Chairman Rick Bennett, Treasurer Ben Lombard unanimously re-elected;
Republicans select Saco Dentist Demi Kouzounas as new Vice-Chair,
Barbara Harvey of Portland as Secretary

Augusta – After a strong election performance in November, the Maine Republican Party State Committee held their biennial election of officers on Saturday, February 14, 2015 in Augusta, Maine.

Chairman Rick Bennett of Oxford, who was first elected in mid-2013 and led Republicans to historic victories in the November elections after overseeing a rebuilding of the Maine GOP staff and operations, was re-elected with unanimous approval from the 68 state committee members in attendance.  A former President of the Maine Senate, Mr. Bennett served four terms in the State Senate and two terms in the Maine House.

Mr. Bennett is founder and CEO of ValueEdge Advisors, a firm providing engagement services to institutional investors. Rick serves on the boards of directors of GWI, the Biddeford-based telecom company, and Trucost, a London-based environmental research firm.  He is on the advisory board of Dirigo Capital Advisors and the board of trustees of Hebron Academy.

“I am deeply humbled for the unanimous support of the Maine Republican Party State Committee. My commitment to the committee, Republicans across Maine, and all Maine people, is to continue to fight on your behalf, continue to build our party, and help our Republican officeholders carry our message of reform and prosperity to all Maine people,” said Mr. Bennett.

“Maine people deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money, and they need us to fight to protect their freedom at every turn. We will continue to fight those battles,” said Mr. Bennett. “We will continue to identify and elect Republican candidates who will make government more accountable, restrain the growth of spending, and reform critical programs to make sure precious dollars are spent wisely.”

Dr. Demi Kouzounas of Saco won election for Vice-Chair after a speech that focused on growing the party and reaching out to the hard-working people of Maine both through existing outreach programs and new initiatives.

Vice-Chair Kouzounas is a Dentist and small businesswoman with nearly 30 employees at locations in Scarborough and Skowhegan. Along with her practice, Dr. Kouzounas also helped start “Bright Smiles,” a dental clinic for low-income children in Portland, and is co-founder of “Dentists Who Care For ME”, which provides a free day of dental care each year.

Dr. Kouzounas is Immediate Past President of the Maine Dental Association, a non-profit association of about 650 dentists across Maine, and has served as a guest host of the Ken and Mike show on WGAN Radio in southern Maine.  Born in Sanford, Dr. Kouzounas received her doctorate in dentistry at Tufts before serving our country in the U.S. Army.

“I am thrilled to have someone of Demi Kouzounas’s commitment and professionalism join our leadership team,” said Maine GOP Chairman Rick Bennett.  “Already, we are working to build on the innovative ideas and focus Demi brings to the Maine GOP.”

Dr. Kouzounas replaces outgoing Vice-Chair Susan Morissette, who did not seek re-election.

Treasurer Ben Lombard of Yarmouth was elected to his second full two-year term with unanimous support from the state committee.  Mr. Lombard is a practicing certified public accountant with a focus on income tax planning and preparation for individuals and closely-held businesses.  He received a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and has served as volunteer Treasurer for a number of non-profit organizations.

“Ben Lombard is a tremendous asset for our party,” said Maine GOP Chairman Rick Bennett. “I am thrilled that Ben has chosen to continue his service with our team. Ben’s knowledge and skills, including his understanding of controls and compliance, are indispensable to the Maine GOP.”

Barbara Campbell Harvey of Portland was elected as Secretary of the Maine Republican Party. In addition to her vast experience with Republican political organizations across Maine, Ms. Harvey also has served in a variety of positions for well-known organizations such as the Maine Education Loan Authority Board, LearningWorks, First Radio Parish Church of America, and Friends of the Blaine House. Ms. Harvey received her Master’s Degree in political science at Northeastern and lives in Portland, Maine.

“Barbara Harvey’s political, private-sector and non-profit experience will provide great benefit to the Maine GOP,” said Chairman Rick Bennett, “We are fortunate to have someone with the depth and breadth of Barbara’s experience willing to serve. It bodes well for our party that we have people of Barbara’s talent willing to step up and keep our team moving in the right direction.”

Ms. Harvey replaces outgoing Secretary Charles Mahaleris, who chose not to seek re-election after serving for eight years.