Republicans held to Maine values in Augusta this session

By Sen. Stacey Guerin, R-Glenburn

As the most unusual session of the Legislature in many years comes to a close, Republicans in the Maine State Senate have a lot to reflect on.

We held various sessions — with masks on and properly distanced — in three different rooms since we reconvened in January. We also conducted our committee work online and discussed legislation with people sitting far away, some of whom we had never met until our first full session in March.

For all of its unusual traits, one thing about this session was very consistent. Though we were in the minority, we were able to secure some important victories, and as a caucus, we held to Maine values.

For example, we resisted the push to decriminalize both prostitution and the possession of illegal drugs, and we supported wholeheartedly the men and women of law enforcement, defeating an attempt to remove their “qualified immunity” protections.

To no one’s surprise, we resisted the return of big government to Maine and we held the line, as always, on tax increases and overspending. Not only does the latest proposed budget add 220 new state employee positions, but the bills that we considered would create at least two new state agencies and add millions of dollars in new spending.

We also fought against several bills that would raise the cost of health insurance on ratepayers, while we pushed back against plans to provide free healthcare to noncitizens. At the same time, we opposed several bills that would raise rates on electricity customers, and were ever mindful of the struggles of small businesses and their employees across Maine.

In support of the Second Amendment, Senate Republicans voted unanimously in defeating four bills designed to infringe on our right to keep and bear arms.

While it is true that you can get more done when you are in the majority, we stuck to our core beliefs and, despite our minority status, served the people of Maine well.

With most of the work of the Legislature completed, all attention turns now to the remaining pieces of the state budget with more than $2 billion left to allocate.

One of our major priorities, and certainly mine personally, is to give a tax cut to all working Mainers. Democrats have proposed making the first $10,200 in benefits received by people who were on unemployment this past year tax free. Republicans feel that all working Mainers deserve this tax break as well.

This is just one of the points of negotiation that remain over the next two weeks or so before we officially adjourn. As we discuss and debate these issues, we will keep the best interests of hard-working Mainers at the forefront of our thoughts and actions.

Guerin represents Senate District 10 in the Maine State Senate.