AUGUSTA — The Republican minority caucus in the Maine House has decided not to take any action to address recent inflammatory comments by Republican Gov. Paul LePage.

The House Republicans decided they would stand by the governor Tuesday following a more than two-hour private meeting where they discussed recent racially charged comments LePage has made at series of public meetings and an obscenity-laced voice mail the governor left for a Democratic lawmaker last week.

Following the caucus meeting, House Minority Leader Ken Fredette, R-Newport, said it would be up to LePage if he wanted to apologize to people of color for comments he’s made indicating the majority of recent heroin-trafficking arrests in Maine have been committed by blacks and Hispanics.

“It falls way short of addressing any of the House Democrats concerns at this time,” {Democratic House Majority Leader} McCabe said. “Tonight’s press conference was more of a political stunt than it was to address any of the concerns of Maine people and the concerns of the people around the nation.”

http://mainesenatepresident.com/senate-president-statement/

Senate President Statement

by James Cyr | Aug 31, 2016 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

“With all due respect, I completely disagree with Representative Fredette’s position. The Republican senate caucus has clearly stated that we need an acceptable plan for corrective action before the determination of whether the Legislature should convene is made.

“We implore the governor to do the right thing and look forward to today’s news conference.”

Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo)