“It’s clear Maine Republicans are willing to sacrifice the people and businesses of our state to play a pointless political game.”
“It’s either time for you to get back to work, or time for you to go.”
After Republican lawmakers twice denied a proposal from Senate President Troy Jackson and Speaker Sara Gideon to reconvene the Legislature, Mainers called out Maine Republicans for playing political games in the middle of a pandemic. Letter writers to papers across the state, including constituents of Republican lawmakers, blasted Republicans for putting partisan politics above action for Mainers who are in need.
As Maine families and small businesses continue to face hardships due to the coronavirus, Republicans decided to hold fundraisers with lobbyists and special interests, including one today hosted by Dana Dow, which wouldn’t be allowed per Maine Ethics Commission rules if the Legislature were in session. It’s clear that voters are fed up with Republicans’ refusal to do their jobs.
Boothbay Register: James Swan: Dow taking page out of McConnell playbook
Starting in May, Senator Dow and his colleagues insisted that the Legislature be reconvened despite the risks posed by COVID-19. They kept making that call right up until when the Democrats in the legislature felt it was safe to return and get to work for Mainers. Then, suddenly, Dow and his friends decided that bringing the Legislature back into session would be too dangerous. Dow cited health concerns, saying, “I’m going to make sure I guard my health. I’ve told people if I get COVID-19, you can kiss me good-bye.” Senator, your hypocrisy is clear as day. Just like Mitch McConnell, you declared a position, and then changed it as soon as it was no longer to your political benefit. There’s no space in Maine for the political games of McConnell’s Washington. It’s either time for you to get back to work, or time for you to go.
Lewiston Sun Journal: Lisa Lisius: Hypocrisy and failure in the Maine Legislature
On June 16, the Republican members of the Maine Legislature stood on the capitol steps demanding that the Legislature be called back into session. But then in July and again in August, when the Maine Legislature’s leadership invited all the members to return to Augusta, most Republicans didn’t even have the decency to reply with a yes or no vote. Sen. Russell Black and Reps. Randy Hall and Thomas Skolfield should be ashamed of their refusal to do the job they were elected to do.
Morning Sentinel: Elery Keene: Cyrway, GOP not doing their job
Yet when given the opportunity to get back work for Mainers who need help, Sen. Cyrway and his colleagues are blocking the legislature from reconvening. This is a disturbing political stunt. While Maine families and businesses teeter on the edge, Cyrway and the rest of the Republicans in Augusta have determined that staying on summer break is in their best political interest. Despite his refusal to do the job we elected him for, Sen. Cyrway is running for re-election. I think it’s time we make sure he never has to miss a summer vacation ever again. Let’s replace him in November.
Kennebec Journal: Alicia Barnes: GOP lawmakers need to get to work
When Democrats tried to reconvene the Legislature to work for Maine people, Republicans like Sen. Pouliot refused to respond to their call. This obstructionist political stunt is crass, hypocritical, and dangerous. If the Legislature does not reconvene, the small businesses Pouliot claims to champion could face more burdensome and unnecessary taxes. It’s clear Maine Republicans are willing to sacrifice the people and businesses of our state to play a pointless political game.
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