LEPAGE GAG ORDER CONTINUES

Ongoing Department no-shows hinder lawmakers’ efforts to solve problems

AUGUSTA – The LePage administration’s obstructionism and interference with public accountability continued on Tuesday when it failed to appear before the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee and the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee as the panels took up issues of critical importance to Maine people and businesses.

“The administration must be held accountable to the public for its mismanagement,” said Rep. Dick Farnsworth, D-Portland, the House Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. “Could you imagine if Secretary Sebelius did not report to Congress because she didn’t want to answer hard questions? The people of Maine deserve answers not political obstruction.”

The HHS committee agenda included an evaluation of the failed MaineCare rides contract, the loss of federal funding at the Riverview Psychiatric Center and concerns over patient treatment at the facility, as well as the LePage administration’s no-bid contract with the Alexander group to study the state’s anti-poverty programs and health care expansion.

“This is dismaying and disappointing,” said Democratic Senator Margaret Craven of Lewiston, the Senate Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. “As legislators, we’re representing the taxpayers and we can’t get answers to their questions. Instead of working with us to solve problems, the Administration sends ‘sorry we won’t be attending’ emails.”

Governor LePage has barred commissioners from appearing before more than 30 committees in recent months. In a memo to legislative leaders earlier this year the Governor said the state would be governed by him not “committees.”

“When we reached out to the Department of Education, they informed us they were not allowed to attend this meeting,” said Democratic Senator Rebecca Millett of Cape Elizabeth, the Senate Chair of the Education Committee. “While they were able to at least provide us with written comments, a memo cannot replace active dialogue and discussion.”

In November, legislative committee chairs sent a letter to Governor LePage urging him to drop the gag order on his commissioners. Instead, the administration has continued its policy of providing written answers to questions submitted by the committee. The practice does not allow for in-depth discussion, follow-up questions, or dynamic conversation.

“The governor’s obstructionism is outrageous,” said Rep. Bruce MacDonald, D-Boothbay, the House Chair of the Education Committee. “This is a gag order that forbid state employees who work for the people from doing their jobs. It hurts Maine citizens who need government to work for them.”