Michaud Praises $200,000 USDA Senior Housing Investment

BANGOR, ME -- Today, Congressman Mike Michaud praised the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement that Western Maine Community Action (WMCA) in East Wilton has been awarded a $200,000 Rural Community Development Initiative grant for its Maine Keeping Seniors Home program, which assists elderly, low-income homeowners in making vital repairs and efficiency upgrades.

"This investment will allow Western Maine Community Action to continue providing valuable assistance that helps Maine seniors continue to live in their homes," said Michaud. "Ensuring that the homes of Maine's elderly residents are safe, secure, and efficient helps our seniors preserve their independence, supports the local economy, and creates jobs."

According to the USDA, this investment will be used by WMCA to introduce a regional collaboration focusing on regional job creation and technical assistance and training for Maine's energy auditors, private contractors, and other community assistance providers and partners, and investing in other key support services for the elderly.

Michaud Announces USDA Energy Investment in Lewiston

BANGOR, ME -- Today, Congressman Mike Michaud announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funds to a Maine business for energy efficiency improvements. In June, Michaud introduced legislation to renew REAP, which has provided Maine with over $49 million in investments since 2009.

"This critical program helps Maine businesses and agricultural producers save money and improve energy efficiency," said Michaud. "REAP investments help create jobs in Maine and provide our communities access to efficient technologies and renewable energy sources."

USDA has approved a conditional commitment for a guaranteed loan of $52,000 to Continuum Realty, LLC in Lewiston for energy-efficient lighting improvements and HVAC system upgrades at its Lewiston facility. The investments will save the business 28,145 kWh in electricity and 2,118 gallons in natural gas.

Michaud Pushes New Effort to Avoid Sequestration and Promote Fiscal Stability

BANGOR, ME -- Congressman Mike Michaud has sent a letter to House and Senate leaders urging them to convene a bicameral, bipartisan committee tasked with developing a plan to reduce the deficit and avoid sequestration.

"The end of the year is fast approaching and time is running out for Congress to put our country on a sustainable fiscal path before across-the-board spending cuts occur," wrote Michaud. "We cannot shirk our duties anymore. It is Congress' responsibility to act on behalf of the taxpayers and establish a long-term, viable solution for deficit reduction. Issues of this magnitude cannot be put off any longer."

The full text of Michaud's letter.

Dear Majority Leader Reid, Speaker Boehner, Minority Leader McConnell, and Minority Leader Pelosi:

I write to request that you convene a bicameral, bipartisan committee tasked with developing a plan to reduce our deficit and avoid sequestration. The end of the year is fast approaching and time is running out for Congress to put our country on a sustainable fiscal path before across-the-board spending cuts occur.

I voted for the Budget Control Act last August, not because it was the perfect solution, but because it mandated that Congress work on a long-term deficit reduction plan or else face sequestration. I had high hopes that the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction would produce a bipartisan compromise, and I was extremely disappointed when they ended their negotiations with no result.

Now, more than half a year later, we are no closer to solving our deficit problem than we were last summer. We cannot shirk our duties anymore. It is Congress' responsibility to act on behalf of the taxpayers and establish a long-term, viable solution for deficit reduction. Issues of this magnitude cannot be put off any longer.

I urge you to form another bicameral, bipartisan committee comprised of Members known for working across the aisle and to give them broad authority to negotiate a far-reaching solution to our deficit crisis that balances changes to our revenue streams with spending cuts and puts us on a sustainable fiscal path before it is too late.

Sincerely,

Mike Michaud

Member of Congress