Bruce Bickford for Maine House District 70

Welcome to the website of State Representative Bruce Bickford from Maine's House District 70

I would like to thank all of those who contributed $5 towards the Maine Ethics Commission qualification requirement to obtain public campaign financing. We've successfully completed the requirements and our 2010 campaign is now officially under way.

7 GOP gov. candidates agree jobs No. 1 issue
bangordailynews.com
As Maine’s seven Republican gubernatorial hopefuls faced off Tuesday for the last time before the primary election, they agreed there’s a dire need to create jobs in the state but differed on issues including immigration and energy corridors.

Republican gubernatorial hopefuls debate at USM
usmfreepress.org
Maine’s seven republican candidates for governor debated job creation, tax reform, education, immigration and government spending in a live televised debate Tuesday evening at USM.

McGowan Proposes to Shrink Maine Legislature and Lengthen Terms
mpbn.net - May 25, 2010
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Pat McGowan today unveiled a package of political reforms which he claims will save taxpayers up to $15 million every two years and make state government more efficient. Speaking at a press conference on the steps of Portland City Hall Tuesday afternoon, the former state conservation commissioner said he planned to cut the size of the Legislature.

Plan would fund transportation projects
onlinesentinel.com
The cruise ship season has begun in Portland, the start of what's expected to be a record year, with 70 vessels carrying a total of 75,000 passengers. But the harbor could handle more cruise ships, city officials say, if a 1,000-foot, deepwater berth is constructed at the new Ocean Gateway terminal.

Our View: Abbott and McGowan our picks for primaries
pressherald.com
His roots in Maine and his connections in Washington, D.C., make Steve Abbott the best choice for the GOP. Pat McGowan has the right combination of policy and personality to win the Democratic nomination.

Who's on first? Nobody
kjonline.com
“It’s very difficult; there is no scientific information out there, at least that any candidates are sharing,” said Sandy Maisel, a professor of government at Colby College. “You assume a couple have to be polling. If it were showing something good, we’d be seeing it.”

Republicans waging battle of endorsements
bangordailynews.com - May 24, 2010
With the gubernatorial primary races winding toward the fateful June 8 vote, candidates are searching for anything that can separate them from the rest of the pack.

Maine Governor Sees Brighter Times Ahead
wbztv.com - April 17, 2010
Gov. John Baldacci says the 2010 legislative session ended on a positive note and he sees brighter times ahead.
In his weekly radio address, Baldacci says the session ended with a bond package that can put people to work and strengthen Maine's economy.

Legislature ends 2010 session by passing energy corridor bill
bangordailynews.com - April 16, 2010
In the final moments of the 2010 legislative session, after the debate over state borrowing had finally settled, lawmakers approved a bill that its supporters hope could help transform Maine’s energy economy.

Energy corridor ban lifted
www.mainebiz.biz - April 16, 2010
A bill approved by the Legislature this week that lifts the state's moratorium on development of energy corridors has not swayed Canada to change its opposition to LNG terminals in Maine.

Change in tax on boats cheered
bangordailynews.com - April 16, 2010
Maine boat builders are applauding the recent change in the state’s sales tax that eases the tax burden on out-of-state boat buyers, hoping it will encourage more nonresidents to build, buy, repair and keep their boats in Maine.

House vote opens door for gambling expansions
kjonline.com - March 31, 2010
On Wednesday morning, the House voted 81 to 69 to reject the majority committee report on the Oxford casino bill, LD 1808, which recommended against its passage.

Snowe: Health care law could hurt small businesses
journaltribune.com - March 31, 2010
As President Barack Obama prepares to celebrate passing health care reform at a rally Thursday in Portland, Sen. Olympia Snowe is spreading a different message this week in her home state.

Maine House, Senate Pass State Budget
myfoxmaine.com - March 31, 2010
On Tuesday, the Maine House of Representatives voted 114 to 34 to pass the new state budget, which had been revised to close a $310 million shortfall. The state Senate unanimously passed the bill, which now awaits the governor's signature.

Budget Passes
wabi.tv - March 31, 2010
A state budget rewrite that closes a $310 million gap between revenues and expenses by cutting education funding, social services and almost every other state program has won the final approval of the Maine House. Following expected Senate approval, it will be sent to Gov. John Baldacci, who plans to sign the bill Wednesday.

Tribal leaders: Maine governor’s consultation order is ‘a step forward’
indiancountrytoday.com - March 31, 2010
Gov. John Baldacci has signed an executive order directing state agencies to develop and implement policies to consult with the Wabanaki nations when developing legislation, rules and policies on matters that affect them.

Rail line focus of bond hearing testimony
bangordailynews.com - March 31, 2010
Lawmakers heard testimony on Monday from supporters of bond proposals to fund road repair and to preserve a rail line that representatives from several northern Maine businesses described as critical to their success.

Maine Passes Low-Sulfur Heating Oil Bill
heatingoil.com - March 26, 2010
Maine’s Senate passed a bill on Thursday that would require heating oil to have lower sulfur content beginning in 2014 (full text available at the website of Maine’s legislature). Maine’s House of Representatives passed the bill on Tuesday, and now it only needs to be signed by Gov. John Baldacci.

February 4, 2010 UPDATE

State Issues:

Moose Permit Lottery Begins

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IF&W) is now taking applications for the 2010 Moose Permit Lottery. IF&W encourages hunters to apply online for permits through its website at http://www5.informe.org/online/moose/. This year, 3,140 permits will be allocated statewide. For the dates of the hunting season in each area, visit http://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting_trapping/hunting/dates_limits_2010.htm.

If, however, an interested hunter is unable to apply online, they may print an application and mail it to IF&W; visit the office in person at 284 State Street in Augusta; or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to IF&W, and department personnel will mail back a paper application. Applications and requests for applications should be sent to: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 41 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333-0041. Paper applications must be postmarked by April 1.

For more information on the 2010 Moose Permit Lottery, please visit http://www.mefishwildlife.com. You may also call 207-287-8000 or e-mail IF&W at info.online@maine.gov if you have any questions.

Department of Education Releases Information On School Aid

The Maine Department of Education has released the preliminary levels of education aid school districts across the state will receive in Fiscal Year 2011. These allocations reflect a $92 million reduction in state aid to public schools, proposed as part of the governor’s supplemental budget. Final amounts are subject to legislative approval.

For full information on the amount of aid expected for each district, visit the Department of Education website at

http://www.maine.gov/education/data/eps/fy11/index.html.

U.S. Census Officially Underway

The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is underway as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. With the process beginning, it is important to be able to recognize official Census employees. The U.S. Census and the Better Business Bureau offered the following advice:

· If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

· Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information.

· Do not give your Social Security number, credit card, or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

· No matter what they ask, you really only need to tell them how many people live at your address.

· Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. They will never request any information via e-mail.

If you have a question about your participation in the U.S. Census, please contact the Northeast regional office in Boston at (617) 223-3700.

Proudly Serving the Citizens of District 70 - Auburn (part) and Lewiston (part)