State Rep. Kathleen Chase Posts Strong Pro-Business Voting Record

State Rep. Kathleen Chase Posts Strong Pro-Business Voting Record

AUGUSTA – State Rep. Kathleen Chase has had a very strong pro-business voting record in the 124th Legislature, according to an analysis by the Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI). Her rating of 90 out of a possible 100 puts her in the top rank of legislators who voted consistently in favor of a strong Maine economy. Rep. Chase (R-Wells) said she supported bills that would help create jobs, improve Maine’s economic climate, and enable businesses to survive the economic downturn.

MERI, based in Augusta, is a nonpartisan organization that grades lawmakers on their votes on bills affecting job creation, health insurance, taxation and other important economic issues. There were 10 such bills in this latest analysis, which took into account the First Regular Session of the 124th Legislature.

The bills rated by MERI covered a wide range of topics. One bill MERI opposed was L.D. 1264, “An Act to Stabilize Funding and Enable DirigoChoice To Reach More Uninsured.” This bill passed the House 84-58, the Senate 19-15, and was signed by the Governor. It imposes a new 2.14% tax on health insurance claims to fund the DirigoChoice program. This tax replaces the savings offset payment that was used to fund DirigoChoice.

MERI also opposed the broad package of tax changes instituted in L.D. 1495, “An Act To Implement Tax Relief and Tax Reform,” which passed the House 84-61, the Senate 20-15, and was signed by the Governor. It raises sales taxes on a wide variety of goods and services and restructures the income tax in a way that provides tax relief to some Maine families. The effective date of this legislation has been suspended pending the outcome of a people’s veto, which is expected to be on the ballot in June 2010.

The Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature convenes in January of 2010. The Second Regular Session is shorter and more limited in focus. One of the first orders of business is expected to be a supplemental budget to address Maine’s growing budget shortfall.

Rep. Kathy Chase (R-Wells, District #147) Announces Intersection Reconstruction in Wells

Maine - House of Representatives

December 4, 2009

Rep. Kathy Chase (R-Wells, District #147) Announces Intersection Reconstruction in Wells

AUGUSTA – According to State Rep. Kathy Chase, a key intersection in Wells is on deck for a
major rebuilding project that will expedite traffic flow, ease turning for large trucks and enhance safety for pedestrians. The project, at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 109, is expected to begin in March, with completion scheduled for November.

Rep. Chase met on December 2 with Shawn Smith, a project manager for the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT), at the Wells Town Hall. Also at the meeting were Wells Town Manager Jane Duncan and Edgar Moore, the town’s director of public works. They finalized details of the project, including a summer work shutdown to ease traffic congestion during the tourist season and the structuring of the construction contracts.

The project is expected to cost about $1.3 million, according to Smith, with 80 percent provided by the federal government as part of standard federal highway aide. State and town funds will round out the work, including the installation of granite-curbed sidewalks around the intersection.

"This project has been on the MDOT list for several years, but funding issues always intervened," said Rep. Chase. "Now it is under way, and the work will be going out for bid in January. This is a major intersection in Wells, and one of the biggest problems was inadequate turning room for tractor-trailers turning right onto Route 1 South."

The project is expected to close down for the months of July and August, but the bulk of the construction should be completed by the June 25 planned summer closure date. The final phase will begin on September 13.

Anyone with questions about this project can contact Shawn Smith at shawn.smith@maine.gov or Rep. Chase at kathydhchase@hotmail.com.