Augusta, MAINE – Despite a call by Maine Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett to tell the people of Maine their position, Maine’s Republican gubernatorial candidates have remained silent on the GOP tax bill being rammed through Congress today. However, Maine’s Democratic candidates for Governor are speaking out loudly and clearly about the bill, which will raise taxes on Mainers in the long-run, blow a massive hole in the deficit, and lead to higher health care costs.

Below are statements from the candidates:

         “We shouldn't be surprised that big corporations want to further tip the scales in their favor, but we should be outraged that Republican politicians are selling out working people to help make it happen. Our country needs to reform its tax code, but what’s happening in Washington is inexcusable,” Jim Boyle said in a statement. “With very few hearings and a process defined by backroom deals, Republicans are about to explode the deficit in order to give multinational corporations and people in the 1 percent a tax cut, while taking health insurance away from 13 million people. The implications of this bill for Maine are severe, and it’s time Republican candidates for governor state clearly where they stand.”

         “Agree w/@MaineDems,” tweeted Adam Cote. “It is time for GOP gov candidates to say where they stand on the#GOPTaxScam which means tax hikes for most Maine families and huge projected cuts to Medicare.”

         “I am against the dishonestly named Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that is going before the Senate tonight,” said Steve DeAngelis in a statement. “The tax bill that just passed the House is a threat to the middle class and a payoff for wealthy, corporate donors to the Republican Party. The vote did not include a single Democrat in support; American government cannot be based on one-party rule. Our democracy depends on respectful deliberation between lawmakers and citizens about issues facing our country. I call on Senator Collins to vote against this bill. It does not represent the interests of the families of Maine nor the values of our country.”

         “Charles and David Koch who rank sixth in the world in wealth stand to receive the biggest tax cut in the tax ‘reform’ bill,”said Patrick Eisenhart in a statement. “Virtually every leader of the GOP in Washington, the Vice President and some cabinet members are recipients of millions in campaign contribution from Koch brothers. For the libertarian Koch brothers, the tax cuts for the rich is not their primary motivation. It is about destroying the federal government by bankrupting it.”

         “Throughout my life I have always believed in opening as many doors as possible. Getting our economy working for everyone means making sure upward mobility is still a possibility,” said Mark Eves in a statement. “This GOP tax scam does the opposite – it slams the door to opportunity for working people all over the country. It saddles future generations with a trillion dollars in debt. 13 million less Americans will have health care coverage, while members of the Senate stand to personally make $1 million a year. Closing doors for average Americans while giving more opportunity to the wealthy and powerful is not just terrible policy, it's morally corrupt.”

         “This bill is a transparent attempt to transfer wealth from working- and middle-class Mainers and Americans, to the pockets of a handful of giant corporations and ultra-wealthy individuals,” said Janet Mills in a statement. “That's why it's no surprise that Republicans are already talking about the need to make deep cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, in order to finance the massive deficit they just created. As Attorney General, I've worked every day to protect the people of Maine from this type of blatant exploitation by powerful special interests, and that's what I'll do as Governor.”

         “This legislation would bring serious cuts to Medicare, harming Maine’s elderly. I’d like to know where the Republican candidates for Governor stand on this critical issue that will have a dramatic impact on Maine people,” Diane Russell said in a statement. “During the holidays, billionaires should be giving to charity - not begging for handouts from the government. I oppose this bill in the strongest terms and hope my fellow candidates for governor will do so as well.”

         “The tax bill is a prime example of what's wrong with our political system and big money’s power over it,” Betsy Sweet said in a statement. “Voters don’t want it, middle class taxpayers will pay more, and the only reason it is going through is that Big Money wants it. This is why I’m running as a Clean Elections candidate and refusing Big Money donations. It’s the first step to taking our politics back.”

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