Bobby Charles Responds to the Governor’s Office and Renews His Call to Suspend the State Gas Tax, Heat Maine Schools, and Double Heating Assistance before Winter

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AUGUSTA, Maine — Republican nominee for Governor Bobby Charles today responded to Governor Janet Mills’ office, which answered his Emergency 207 Plan by telling him to call on the President to end the war in Iran.

On Monday, Charles released the Emergency 207 Plan, which uses $207 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to give Mainers relief before winter: suspending the state gas tax, covering school heating bills so property taxes do not go up, doubling LIHEAP heating assistance, and helping families facing a heating emergency.

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Instead of acting, the Governor’s office told Charles to call on the President to end the war.

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“Governor Mills can’t end a war. She can call the Legislature back to Augusta tomorrow and suspend the state gas tax. That’s her job, and her office would rather talk about anything else,” Charles said.

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“I’ve already asked the President for help. I stand with Senators Collins and King in calling on him to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve. That’s not allegiance to anyone. It’s what Maine families need right now, and it’s more than the Governor has done.”

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“The Governor knows the Rainy Day Fund can be used for price relief, because she used it for exactly that in April, when she sent out $300 checks in an election year. If rising prices justified tapping the fund then, Mainers facing $6 heating oil and a long winter deserve at least as much now.”

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“And no war overseas explains why Maine families were already paying some of the highest electricity rates in America. That was a choice made in Augusta by Janet Mills and Hannah Pingree, and Mainers are paying the bill.”

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“Winter is a deadline, not a talking point. Suspend the gas tax. Heat our schools. Help the families who need it. If Janet Mills won’t act, Maine will elect a governor who will.”

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The Emergency 207 Plan would:

·       Suspend the state gas tax to cut the price at the pump before winter driving and heating deliveries.

·       Cover school heating bills so districts do not pass higher fuel costs on to property taxpayers.

·       Double LIHEAP heating assistance for households that qualify.

·       Help families facing a heating emergency get through the winter.

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Charles is calling on Governor Mills to bring the Legislature back into session and enact the plan.

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About Bobby Charles

Bobby Charles is the Republican nominee for Governor of Maine. A Wayne, Maine native, former Naval Intelligence Officer, and former Assistant Secretary of State, Bobby is running to cut crime, cut taxes, and end the nonsense in Augusta. Learn more at www.BobbyForMaine.com.