Wednesday, House Republican Leaders expressed their outrage over President Obama’s decision to create a national monument in Maine’s North Woods. The President’s decision deals a serious blow to Maine’s tradition of outdoor recreation like snowmobiling and hunting. This will also likely hurt our state’s forestry industry and the overall economic outlook of the region.
“This unilateral federal overreach is shameful and outrageous,” said Assistant House Republican Leader Rep. Ellie Espling of New Gloucester. “With the passage of L.D. 1600 last session, the Maine Legislature, on behalf of our constituents, sent a strong bipartisan message to the Obama administration that they did not want this national monument designation in Maine’s North Woods. It’s now crystal clear that the President doesn’t care what the Maine people want, he’s going to do whatever he wants to do.”
“President Obama was not elected to be a King, he was elected to be a President with a system of checks and balances,” said House Republican Leader Ken Fredette of Newport. “It is a simple fact that 70 percent of the people in this country believe this country is headed in the wrong direction. The actions of President Obama yesterday, designating the national monument against the will of the Maine Legislature and the Governor further erodes people’s belief in our Republican form of government.”
