TABOR would change state government

By TOM BELL, Staff Writer October 21, 2009

For the third time in five years, Maine voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to impose government tax and spending limits.

In 2004, voters rejected a proposal to cap property taxes. Two years later, they rejected a spending cap. This year, a modified version of the spending cap is Question 4 on the state ballot.

Proponents say this version deserves voters' support because it was designed for the state's deteriorating financial situation but would still limit the ability of governments to increase spending and taxes.

Read the entire story here: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=290958&ac=PHnws

Added: October 21, 2009
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TABOR-forced cuts hurts Maine a lot more than they help

MAINE VOICES TABOR-forced cuts would hurt Maine a lot more than they would help

The spending limitations seem better than they really are when you take a second look.

ANGUS KING October 20, 2009

BRUNSWICK — Hey Angus, how do you feel about TABOR II?

When I first heard about it, I wanted to support it – I know firsthand how hard it is to control budgets in Augusta and thought maybe some outside discipline is what we need. The concept seems simple, and it made some sense.

So does that mean you're gonna vote for it? Read the entire story here: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=290684&ac=PHedi

Added: October 21, 2009
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Consumer Webinar on Finding Federal Jobs

Join the Education & Outreach Workforce Issues team and 50+ job-seekers from across the nation to learn "The Ins and Outs of Applying for a Federal Job," Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2-3 p.m. ET. Federal jobs expert Lily Whiteman will share tips on how to find job vacancies, prepare a résumé and submit an application that gets results.

The U.S. government hired 130,000 workers in 2008 and expects to hire even more this year. But, applying for a federal job can be daunting. In this Webinar, expert presenters will de-mystify the federal hiring process. Participants will learn about how to find job vacancies, do’s and don’ts in preparing a résumé, and other tips on seeking a federal job.

Presenters include Lily Whiteman, author of “How to Land a Top-Paying Federal Job”; Carmen Andujar, U.S. Office of Personnel Management; Tim Dirks, Partnership for Public Service; and Deborah Russell, Director, AARP Workforce Issues.

Register Here: https://ww2.eventrebels.com/er/Registration/RegistrationForm.jsp?ActivityID=4241&ItemID=15361

Added: October 12, 2009
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AARP Urges Mainers to Vote NO on Question #4

AARP Urges Mainers to Vote NO on Question #4

AARP is strongly opposed to the TABOR proposals which have been presented in Maine in the last several years. Our opposition is based upon AARP's objections to the adoption of TABOR limits or restrictions by any State across our nation. So far, only Colorado has adopted TABOR and even they have had to suspend a large part of their own TABOR for five years.

AARP opposes any fixed, arbitrary, rigid caps on revenues and spending. Such limits do not allow state or local government to respond to changing economic conditions—from recessions and plant closings, to emergencies in public health, “acts of God,” or terrorism. In addition, TABOR makes it impossible for a state to meet new social and economic goals mandated by the courts or the federal government. Arbitrary formulas, such as TABOR, effectively rule out human decisions in fiscal policymaking, putting vital matters on auto-pilot with no review of the economic or human environment.

TABOR, as presented in Question 4, does not deliver what we want---- lower taxes, efficient government, and control over wasteful spending. TABOR is an irresponsible postponement of realistic inflationary pressures to future generations. If Question 4 passes, it will hurt things AARP cares about such as health care, public safety, and education. Question 4 places arbitrary limits on the growth of government spending and changes the entire budget process; it does not account for realistic cost drivers. The unfortunate fact is that the energy we waste each election cycle dealing with TABOR takes the focus off of the important issues such as addressing meaningful tax reform, and streamlining government to ensure our systems are as efficient and effective as possible.

“Don’t be tricked by TABOR,” said Nancy Kelleher, State Director for AARP in Maine. “Question 4 has a one-size-fits-all formula that will create further hardship and financial chaos in our great state.”

Visit http://www.votenoontabor.org/ for more information

Added: October 7, 2009
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Keeping our Seniors Afloat

By Nancy Kelleher

These are tough times for seniors, especially those relying on Social Security for all or most of their income. According to 2008 AARP data, three out of five Maine Social Security beneficiaries rely on Social Security for half or more of their income, and for three of every ten beneficiaries, Social Security is their only source of income.

Each year, as these Mainers look at their tight budgets to figure out how to pay for their rising costs, they have counted on a very modest cost of living adjustment (COLA) to their Social Security checks to help keep them afloat. Recently, many of these seniors have found their COLA just barely covered the increases in their Medicare Part B premiums, let alone prescription drug price increases.

So when it was announced this year that there would be no COLA for 2010, anxiety took hold for many. Unfortunately, the reason behind this bad news is no comfort to them: the formula for determining the COLA overestimates the cost of some items like fuel and underestimates the impact of health care costs, leading to a determination that there is no inflation, despite what your grocery receipts may be telling you. Changing the formula would be helpful, but would likely be a long legislative and bureaucratic fight.

With about half of our 40 million members on Social Security, we are acutely aware of this problem and have been working in Washington to find immediate relief. While there is more to be done, we see encouraging signs of progress toward addressing this issue.

The first sign came last week when the House passed the Medicare Premium Fairness Act (HR 3631) by an overwhelmingly bi-partisan 406-18 vote. Both Congressman Michaud and Congresswoman Pingree can be thanked for supporting this bill, which would ensure that Part B premiums would not increase in 2010 thereby helping to prevent a cut in Social Security checks next year. AARP encourages Senator Snowe and Senator Collins to support this income security measure as well. This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue, but an issue of maintaining the dignity of all Mainers as they age.

AARP continues to work with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to address the COLA issue, and several legislative proposals have been offered to provide a temporary fix that would provide beneficiaries with a cost of living adjustment of some sort, whether via a one-time payment or through another form of financial relief. Whatever the mechanism, AARP urges Congress to provide some relief to seniors whose costs continue to go up while their incomes remain stagnant. Please let your elected leaders know how important this issue is to you.

Nancy Kelleher is AARP’s Maine state director.

Added: October 7, 2009
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Where We Stand: Health Reform?The Time to Act Is Now

Dear AARP Members,

Health care is dominating the news these days—and it should. All sides agree on the diagnosis: While America’s health care system is known for research and innovation, it unfortunately costs too much, wastes too much, makes too many mistakes and gives us back too little value for our money. Read the entire story here: http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/policy/articles/nu09_randhansenhcr.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-82809-F1

Added: October 7, 2009
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Secretary Sebelius Meets with AARP and ME Women's Lobby

MAINE WOMEN TO SECRETARY SEBELIUS: HEALTH SYSTEM IS FAILING US

Congresswoman Pingree hears health care stories; says current system unacceptable

September 3, 2009

No one knows better about how the health care system is failing than the women—young and old—who met with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius today in South Portland. AARP and the Maine Women’s Lobby brought together the group of women leaders, including AARP National Board Chair Bonnie Cramer and AARP State Director Nancy Kelleher, to discuss why women’s health issues are critical in the national health care reform debate. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree also participated, providing Maine women a chance to tell their stories about how health care issues affect them and their families and why reform must happen this year.

“When I ran for Congress, I heard from so many women in the 1^st District about their health care problems,” stated Congresswoman Pingree. “In Maine, there are nearly 50,000 uninsured women between the ages of 18 and 64. Many more can’t afford services even if they do have insurance. This is simply unacceptable. We cannot afford to wait any longer to improve our health care system. Action this year is critical.”

AARP State Director Nancy Kelleher remarked, “While most seniors have Medicare, they are still spending about one-third of their income on health care costs. Women spend even more because they tend to live longer, often outliving their savings due to these costs.” The Employee Benefit Research Institute estimates the average woman who lives to age 85 will spend will at least $160,000 of her retirement savings to pay for medical costs not covered by Medicare.

Furthermore, a recent study by the Commonwealth Fund found that at least half of women go without or delay getting needed health care services because of cost, compared to 39 percent of men. “The current health care system does not work for women,” added Maine Women’s Lobby Executive Director Sarah Standiford. “Women are more vulnerable to high health care costs and more likely to be underinsured. As a result, many women are simply unable to afford the services they need.”

In her closing remarks, AARP Board Chair Bonnie Cramer urged Congress and the Administration to come forward with a health care reform package that provides truly affordable and quality care – for women, for men, and for people of all ages. “AARP will happily put our full support behind that.”

Visit HealthActionNow.org to learn about AARP’s work on bringing quality, affordable health care to all Americans.

Added: September 9, 2009
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Senator Snowe meets with AARP Maine on health care reform

For Immediate Release

August 18, 2009

Contact: Kate Bridges, 207-776-6301, kbridges@aarp.org

Today, AARP had the opportunity to meet with Senator Snowe about health care issues critical to those age 50 and older, and took the opportunity to clarify AARP’s position on some of the national reform proposals. AARP has not endorsed any of the current proposals but is committed to seeing reform enacted this year.

AARP State President, Nelson Megna, said he was pleased that he had an opportunity to reiterate with Senator Snowe how important it was that any reform maintains Medicare benefits yet removes waste and fraud in the program.

AARP believes many costly hospital readmissions could be prevented by providing follow-up care to help individuals safely transition home after a hospital stay, therefore improving the quality of their health, lowering individuals’ costs, and saving billions of dollars in Medicare. In Maine, 18 percent of Medicare beneficiaries discharged from the hospital were re-admitted within 30 days.

“The time for action on health care reform is long overdue. We can’t afford to wait another year to see reform happen. Senator Snowe has been a tireless advocate for health care affordability, and has assured us that Medicare benefits and quality of care would not be diminished,” noted AARP State Director, Nancy Kelleher.

There are at least 20,000 Mainers ages 50 to 64 who are uninsured, and many more who are underinsured namely due to the high cost of insurance for this population. Kelleher stated, “Many of our members in Maine find they cannot afford to buy insurance on their own because of their age or health status. They are too young for Medicare, but old enough to be penalized in the insurance market.”

AARP suggests visiting the following websites for more information on AARP’s position or to get the facts on health care reform: HealthActionNow.org or Politifact.com.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Added: August 20, 2009
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Health Care Reform Facts

FACT #1: Medicare will not be ended, and no benefits or services will be cut.

Your services will not be ended, nor will your benefits be cut. AARP's position on this could not be clearer. And we have sent this message loud and clear to Congress. While the current proposals include savings in Medicare by cutting out fraud, abuse, waste, and inefficiency, we're standing up and making sure benefits for Medicare recipients are not only fully protected, but are improved.¹

FACT #2: No legislation currently in Congress would mandate the rationing of care. Period.

Our staff has read all of the legislation circulating in Congress and there are no provisions in these bills that would ration care for our members. None. If any ever did, we would vigorously fight to stop that legislation.²

FACT #3: There is no provision of any piece of legislation that would promote euthanasia of any kind.

The rumors out there are flat out lies. Right now Medicare does not cover counseling for end-of-life care. The portion of the bill in question would simply provide coverage for optional end-of-life consultations with doctors, so that the patient can be aware of all of the treatment options on the table. It is not mandatory and it has nothing to do with euthanasia.³

FACT #4: We have not endorsed President Obama's plan.

In fact, we haven't endorsed any plan. We are supporting reform of our health care system, something that AARP has pushed for many years. We're working closely with Republican and Democratic members of Congress to lower health care costs and to ensure quality affordable coverage for older Americans – and we want reform legislation passed and signed by the president this year.⁴

So what is AARP fighting for in health reform?

Stopping insurance companies from charging older Americans unaffordable premiums because of their age.
Ending the practice of excluding people from insurance because of pre-existing conditions.
Holding down health costs and making insurance coverage more affordable for all Americans.
Making prescription drugs more affordable by narrowing the Medicare doughnut hole, bringing generics to market faster, and allowing Medicare to negotiate better drug prices.

Find out more and take action at HealthActionNow.org.

Added: August 5, 2009
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Sales scam spurs arrest

By Darcie Moore, Times Record Staff

Published:

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 4:09 PM EDT

WEST BATH — The Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department issued a warning Tuesday about scams in the Mid-coast region after an investigation of magazine salesmen going door to door in West Bath led to an arrest.

The incident in West Bath adds to a list of law-enforcement concerns about door-to-door sales in Maine this summer. A Missouri man affiliated with an out-of-state, door-to-door sales operation was arrested in Auburn late last month and charged in connection with a home invasion there. Another man affiliated with a similar sales group was arrested in Portland on warrants for burglary, kidnapping and robbery in Alabama.

Throughout southern Maine, police have reported a significant increase in complaints about overly aggressive or potentially fraudulent door-to-door sales.

Read the entire story here: http://www.timesrecord.com/articles/2009/07/15/news/doc4a5dfb59a1b87404933534.txt

Added: July 21, 2009
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My Journals (48)

Sales scam spurs arrest

By Darcie Moore, Times Record Staff