Congressman Mike Michaud issued the following statement:

"We have a long and proud tradition of manufacturing in the Katahdin region and a dedicated workforce second to none. Since January, I have remained in constant contact with state, local and federal officials to do everything we can to make sure this proud tradition continues and to help stabilize the potential economic impact to the communities of this region.

"Today, the Maine Senate has the unique opportunity to help move us one step closer to a positive resolution to the very dire economic situation facing the Katahdin region by passing LD 1567 Resolve, To Authorize the State To Purchase a Landfill in the Town of East Millinocket.

"The thing that makes Maine so special is our ability to work across party and geographic lines when one region of our state is threatened. This is one of those such times, and I am hopeful that that same spirit will hold true again today.

"To be clear, I recognize this is an unusual situation and that some legislators may have questions about potential liability and cost of such state action. However, from my work on these issues during my time in Congress and the Maine Legislature, I remain convinced that such concerns, should they ever materialize, can be satisfactorily addressed through both additional state and federal action."

Congressman Mike Michaud