There’s really nothing like the holidays in Maine. They bring a certain spirit, one that’s as magical as the first snow. But it’s not the beautiful winter landscapes or the crackling fire that makes this such a wonderful time to be in Maine. No, the joy comes from the opportunity to spend these days surrounded by those we love, in a state we love to call home.

It’s time for the death penalty to be retired once and for all.

I suppose it should be no surprise, but the federal tax reform package -- officially dubbed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act -- continues to generate the most insane, outlandish reactions possible.

I have laid out four basic principles to guide the Legislature’s decision on how to pay for Medicaid expansion.

In 2010, one of the most encouraging things that I thought came out of the Tea Party movement was a focus on the issue of the budget deficit and the national debt. That year, candidates who promised to address those issues managed to gain 63 seats in Congress.

Proponents of Medicaid expansion have not been honest with the Maine people. They claim it’s free because the federal government will foot the bill for this massive expansion of welfare. Folks, it’s just not true.

Last week, the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a landmark civil rights case out of Colorado that could have broad – and disastrous – national implications.

Reports that Maine's ranking U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has announced her decision to support the Senate version of the tax reform bill is welcome news to the hard-working taxpayers of Maine. We, the members of the Red County Caucus, would like to commend the Senator for this decision.

The first time I heard the term "net neutrality" was in the fall of 2008. I was working for a marketing agency that did public affairs work, and we had a client who was involved in the issue, which was beginning to gain some traction in Washington.

The federal government must do a better job to provide adequate resources for background checks on people purchasing firearms.

We of The Red County Caucus would like to remind U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine that the Constitution of the United States was written to protect the natural born rights of the individual.

Years ago, I worked for a woman just a few years older than I am. She was an experienced professional communicator who had extensive experience in Washington, including a stint working on Capitol Hill for a very influential congressman.

Mainers are generous people, and we are known to help our neighbors when there is a need. Whether it during a natural disaster, a holiday season or any time of the year, Mainers take care of Mainers.

This week, families across our state will gather to share turkey and stuffing and (hopefully) a Maine blueberry pie – but we all know the food won’t be the star of the show. No, what makes Thanksgiving truly special are the people gathered around the table, and the opportunity this day gives each of us reflect upon the things we are thankful for.

Which would lead a neutral observer to ask a simple question: Why? How can a man accused of such things survive politically, and even potentially win?

Veterans Day is one of the most sacred days on our national calendar. This year, it was a special pleasure to spend that day of remembrance and gratitude in Freedom, a town whose very name celebrates the great gift we have been given by our veterans and those who serve today.

In September 1988, a month before the annual six-day moose hunt, I was forewarned by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife officials in Augusta that crowd control would be my greatest challenge as lead biologist of the Greenville moose hunter check station, the busiest in Maine.

It took a lot of work to balance Maine’s budget, bring fiscal responsibility to state government and restore our rainy day fund. Expanding Medicaid must maintain a balanced budget, protect our reserves and not raise taxes on hard-working Mainers.