Hinck Stink

Comment

Comment by Mary Beth Nolette on June 3, 2012 at 4:13pm

I'm with you Mike. The political shenanigans that have taken place over the last few years in Maine government, especially regarding industrial wind, are shameful.

Comment by Whetstone_Willy on June 3, 2012 at 7:24am

Conflict of Interest - Maine State Legislature
Title 1 MRSA §1014 lists several activities constituting a conflict of interest to help define ethical standards and to identify areas of real or apparent impropriety that are to be avoided. These are examples and should not be considered an exhaustive list. The section also identifies various situations of apparent “undue influence” and “abuse of office or position” where a conflict of interest is presumed.  The law defines a conflict of interest to exist where a legislator or a member of that legislator's immediate family:

• Has or acquires a strong and direct financial interest in a business, or derives a direct financial benefit from an association with a person with a direct financial interest in a business that the legislator knows will be benefited by a proposed law;

• Accepts gifts (excluding duly reported campaign contributions) from someone whose personal or business interests are likely to be affected by a proposed law, if the legislator knows or should know that the reason for the gift was to influence the legislator’s vote or to reward the legislator’s action; 

• Receives compensation not authorized by law for the legislator's assistance and services as a legislator, or for appearing on behalf of someone with a claim pending before the Legislature;

• Takes a job where there is a strong possibility that the job was given to the legislator or a family member to influence the legislator’s vote; or 

• Would receive special benefit in the legislator's business or profession under proposed legislation.  Under the law, a conflict of interest is presumed when a legislator:

• Receives compensation for representing someone before a state agency (except as a lawyer or other professional, acting within the scope of that legislator's employment);

• Represents someone selling goods or services to the State when the sales did not occur according to competitive bidding practices; or the legislator or a family member has a direct financial interest in a contract for goods and services with the State that was not subject to competitive bidding;

• Grants or obtains a special privilege for self or family by use of the legislator’s position; or

• Uses or discloses confidential information obtained because of office or position for the benefit of that legislator or someone else.  If a conflict of interest exists, State law explicitly declares that the legislator must not “vote on any question in connection with the conflict in committee or in either branch of the Legislature, and shall not attempt to influence the outcome of that question.” (1 MRSA §1015, sub-§1) 

http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/Students/student_questions-3.htm

Comment by Mike DiCenso on June 2, 2012 at 10:07pm

i LIKE A LOT OF WHAT HE HAS DONE, BUT HE NEGATES THE GOOD WITH HIS DISGUSTING PRO-WIND BOVINE EXCREMENT. i WILL NOT VOTE FOR HIM THOUGH I AM A REG DEM.