weekly columns
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May 29, 2015
Building A Strong Workforce
If you could get a return of $27 for every one dollar that you invested in a company, you would jump at the chance. According to United States Department of Labor Secretary Thomas... -
May 22, 2015
Honoring Our Heroes
More than a century and a half ago, as our nation faced its gravest crisis during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln spoke of the “mystic cords of memory, stretching... -
May 15, 2015
The Aging And Thriving In Place Movement
It comes to no surprise that survey after survey indicates that most seniors would much rather stay in their own homes and communities to “age in place” and live... -
May 08, 2015
Recognizing The Next Generation Of Leaders
One of the greatest privileges I enjoy while serving Maine in the United States Senate is the opportunity to meet outstanding young people from our state who have devoted part of... -
Every night, hundreds of thousands of homeless children and youth are homeless. That is nearly one-third of the entire homeless population. Even more shocking is the fact that tens...
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April 24, 2015
The Case For Modernizing Personal Care Product Regulations
Personal care products include an extensive range of goods from shampoo to lotion, make-up to antiperspirants, which are widely used by American consumers of all ages every day.... -
As Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, I oversee the Committee’s Fraud Hotline (1-855-303-9470). This hotline has been a useful tool to enable seniors and...
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April 10, 2015
Addressing Aging Issues In Maine And Across Our Nation
I recently had the opportunity to speak at the 10th Annual Geriatrics Day Conference at Maine Medical Center in Portland. The fact that this is often a sold-out conference with a... -
April 06, 2015
Restoring Civility In Washington And In Our Communities
People in Maine and throughout the nation have made it clear that they are fed up with the incivility and gridlock that have prevented congressional action on too many of the... -
March 27, 2015
Ending Alzheimer’s—Supporting The Search For A Cure
Barbara Smith, also known as “B.,” is a well-known restauranteur, author and supermodel who was the first African-American to be featured on the cover of Mademoiselle... -
March 20, 2015
Beware Of Tax Scams
With the tax filing season upon us, criminals posing as IRS officials are increasing their attempts to defraud taxpayers, with seniors a particular target. It is my hope that this... -
March 13, 2015
Impressions From My Journey To Selma
As a young girl growing up in Northern Maine, the turmoil in the South during the 1960’s seemed a world away to me. Our schools focused mainly on earlier periods of American... -
March 06, 2015
Protecting Our Youth, Ending Human Trafficking
This past New Year’s Eve, a man and woman were arrested in Bangor for allegedly forcing a 13-year-old Maine girl into prostitution. This child, who was listed as a missing... -
February 27, 2015
Improving Access To Health Care For Rural Veterans
Increased access to health care for our veterans, especially those in rural areas, must be among our nation’s priorities. The men and women who have served America deserve no... -
February 20, 2015
Helping Small Businesses Brew Jobs And Economic Growth
As I travel throughout Maine, I am consistently impressed by the energy, imagination, and commitment of our small business community. From technology to the arts, Maine... -
February 13, 2015
Broken Trust: The Financial Exploitation Of Seniors
In late 2012, a Maine jury found an Androscoggin County woman guilty of stealing from her own mother. The details leading up to this conviction were very troubling: This woman sold... -
February 06, 2015
Oversight - An Essential Ingredient for Good Government
As a native of Aroostook County, I know how important the Maine potato industry is to the families and communities it sustains. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations... -
January 30, 2015
“Saving For Higher Education”
In President Obama’s recent State of the Union Address, he outlined an agenda focused on what he called middle class economics, which he described as providing Americans with... -
January 23, 2015
“Year In Review”
President Obama recently delivered his “State of the Union” address where he spoke about our nation’s progress and his vision for the coming year. As we as a country turn the page... -
January 16, 2015
“40 Hours Is Full Time”
Effective health care reform should provide Americans with access to quality and affordable care while also encouraging economic growth. Unfortunately, flaws in the Affordable Care...
