Maine People Before Politics has identified the following articles supporting Governor LePage’s Op Ed in June 21, 2019, Boston Herald.

Then-Attorney General Janet Mills role in blocking more restrictive rules for welfare for non-citizens.

Maine AG Janet Mills clashes with LePage on welfare

Maine AG blocks LePage plan to drop asylum seekers from aid program

Confused over the General Assistance controversy? We’ve got you covered

Portland Press Herald Editorials and Opinion Pieces

Our View: Broken immigration system, failed policy fill Portland shelter

December 30, 2018

“They come to Portland because there are strong African communities there already, and because the city and state offer financial assistance that others do not. Here, asylum seekers are eligible for the same General Assistance as citizens; in September, the city of Portland paid out an average of $460 for each of 273 asylum seekers, money that goes directly to essentials such as rent, heat and medicine. Long term, the money is a good investment that will help all Mainers by fueling economic growth.”

“Mainers should take pride that we are so welcoming.”

Our View: Stop slow-walking bids for U.S. citizenship

November 19, 2018

“There should be no talk about cracking down on illegal immigration until the national government shows respect for our laws and the people who abide by them.”

The View From Here: You could do worse than boring

February 3, 2019

“Portland has problems, now and looming in the future. But “overrun with immigrants”? Please. We should be so lucky.”

Our View: New Mainers face barriers to full entry

February 25, 2019

“Those are just two of the biggest barriers keeping new Mainers from making the most of their lives here – and boosting the economy and state tax revenue while they’re at it. It’s imperative Maine figures out what else is going on and work to change it; otherwise, Maine is just missing out on too much. On the whole, Maine’s immigrants are well educated – they have higher rates of graduate degrees than the population in general, and were often professionals before coming here. They’ll be the ones spurring growth here if it is to come at all.” 

“That’s not to say that Maine shouldn’t invest in its native-born population, or shouldn’t try to encourage Americans from other states to come here. But that won’t be enough. To thrive in the next half century – indeed, to grow at all – Maine needs to make sure that every resident and future resident has the tools to reach their potential.” 

Our View: Asylum support bill invests in Maine’s future

April 16, 2019

“You have probably heard this argument: We can’t afford to help immigrants when there are people who were born here who are also in need. But the people who say it have got it backward: Because we have people in need, we can’t afford not to help immigrants. Thats why we support L.D. 1317, a bill which would restore eligibility for basic services administered by the state to people who are in Maine seeking asylum.”

“In the face of hysterical rhetoric from anti-immigration extremists, lawmakers should take the opportunity this bill provides to speak up for Maine’s future.”

“Providing people with a rent voucher, food stamps and the ability to see a doctor while they are getting on their feet is not just the morally right thing to do but also makes sense financially. Maine will not be able to overcome the foreseeable consequences of our aging population without growing the workforce. Helping people settle here is one of the best ways to do that. We can’t afford not to.”

Hey neighbors, why are asylum seekers just a ‘Portland problem’?

June 13, 2019

“The point is that it’s time for everyone, from local governments surrounding Portland down to the individual citizens with a few spare hours or a few extra dollars, to step up. To not look at what’s going on down at the Expo as a crisis and see it as a wise and warmhearted investment in our shared future.”

“Here’s a big one: Late Thursday, University of Southern Maine President Glenn Cummings offered a dormitory at the Gorham campus with upward of 200 beds to house the asylum seekers through the first week of August. Cummings said there will be no impact on the university’s budget and he’s confident the state will help pick up the cost of feeding the asylum seekers. ’We know that the city is in a bad spot – and we know these asylum seekers are in a desperate spot,’ Cummings said.  ‘I think the whole community has to look at what they can do under these circumstances.’ Now more than ever, it’s the neighborly thing to do.”

Our View: On migrants, state should follow Portland’s lead

June 14, 2019

“For stranding so many vulnerable, untethered people within a broken immigration system – whether it be along the southern border, in awful detention camps or in a crowded gym with no way to support themselves – the United States should be ashamed of itself. For offering help to their neighbors, even if those neighbors arrived yesterday and from 13,000 miles away, Portland should be proud. But it’s not only Maine’s largest city that will ultimately benefit from the new arrivals – the state as a whole will be invigorated, just as it has been before by waves of migrants. That’s why the Mills administration should help ease the short-term burden on Portland.”

“The Mills administration has been in touch with Portland officials since the latest busload of migrants arrived and is helping to coordinate the response. State health and emergency management resources have been engaged. The University of Southern Maine has offered dorm rooms. But there is more the state can and should do. Mills has a contingency fund she can tap into in an emergency like this and she should consider changing the rules on General Assistance to make help for migrants available in than one municipality.”