Political Quotes

“Madam President, I am pleased to be a cosponsor of the SMART Act, and I want to commend Senator Menendez and Senator Cassidy for their tremendous leadership. Our bill would help offset the collapse of State and local revenues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus has already claimed the lives of more than 90,000 Americans. As the virus damages our health and deprives us of our loved ones, it has also devastated our communities and our economy. As of last week, nearly 20 percent of Maine's total civilian workforce had filed for unemployment. The tourism sector has been particularly hard hit, and this is so important to my State. But the fact is that no industrial sector has been immune from this disease. Restaurants and hotels in southern Maine face uncertainty, not knowing when or even if they will ever reopen. As a result of having to cancel nonessential surgeries, many hospitals are struggling to stay open. Lobstermen and fishermen have lost major markets. Potato farmers may be unable to sell more than $22 million worth of their 2019 crop. The motor coach industry has been devastated. In short, working families and communities across the State of Maine have been hit hard. Moody's forecasts that Maine may face one of the worst impacts in the entire country in terms of lost revenues. Eighty-five percent of Maine's State revenues are from income and sales taxes. They have plummeted. Gas tax revenues have tanked.…”