State Rep. Jeff Pierce (R-Dresden), the ranking Republican on the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee, has asked the nonpartisan Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability to launch an investigation into whether Maine’s citizen-initiated referendum process is being abused.
It is suspect that all five citizen initiated referendums on last November’s Maine election ballot originated from the Maine Peoples’ Alliance with help from outside of Maine forces and money. Four of the five passed. Regardless of where we each stand on the referendum questions, there clearly appears to be a case for an investigation into how they originated.
It is known that Maine is a target state for referendums, because once they pass here, they can be used across the country, and it is cheaper to do in Maine because of our smaller population.
In his letter calling for the investigation, Rep. Pierce requested answers to a number of questions about how the process has been used over its 100-year history. One of the questions he asks pertains to how much money has been spent by special interest groups from both inside and outside of Maine. The full committee will have to consider Pierce’s request as it decides on the parameters of the probe.
Take Action: Please call and/or email each member of the Government Oversight Committee. Urge them to investigate the process of citizen initiated referendums. Click here for contact information. Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Maine.
Pray: Father, please protect our great state from far left initiatives through the citizen-referendum process in Maine. “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)
Let us stand together to protect Maine from outside influences that would aim to use us as a means to an end.
Renee Fortin
Legislative Liaison
CWA of Maine
legislation@maine.cwfa.org
Penny Morrell
State Director
CWA of Maine
director@maine.cwfa.org
me.cwfa.org
Ready to take the next step? Get more involved with CWA of Maine.
- Join a Prayer/Action chapter. Contact me today to find out if there is a CWA chapter in your area.
- Please donate to CWA of Maine. Our state is run exclusively by volunteers and supported completely through donations.
- If someone forwarded this e-alert to you and you would like to be on our e-mail list, contact me, and I will be happy to add you.