ALFOND STATEMENT ON REPUBLICAN AGREEMENT TO INVESTIGATE DHHS

AUGUSTA—Sen. Alfond released the following statement in response to legislative Republicans’ impromptu news conference that immediately followed the legislative Democrats’ news conference.

“Progress was made today. We are pleased to hear that Republicans have now agreed to an independent investigation into the mismanagement of DHHS. This is a good first step toward repairing the public trust. It’s imperative that we know all the facts and whether information was deliberately withheld to create a false sense of crisis.”

Several Republicans pledged their support for Commissioner Mayhew based on their belief that she provided full information to the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.

Commissioner Mayhew has already acknowledged that “in retrospect” she should have provided more complete answers to questions posed by lawmakers. “It’s puzzling that there is not more outrage by Republican lawmakers and the Governor’s office at the clear withholding of critical information related to our state budget,” said Sen. Alfond.