Reply #19: Ethics CommissionMeetsSept.11 toConfirmFriedman;Michael's Appeal to Follow [View All]

[livvy]

Ethics commission meets Sept. 11 to confirm Friedman; Michael's appeal to follow
By Victoria Wallack
Statehouse Reporter

AUGUSTA (Aug 19): The Senate is being called in for a confirmation session Sept. 11 to approve the fifth member of the ethics commission — a move that will clear the way for independent Rep. John Michael to appeal his denied request for $1.2 million in public funding to finance his bid for governor.

Gov. John Baldacci’s nomination of Michael Friedman, a Bangor attorney not enrolled in any political party, to serve on the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices is the lone item on the Senate’s agenda, so far.

While that short order of business will cost taxpayers $6,400 to pay senators a $100 stipend plus mileage, that’s nothing compared to the price tag of the decision the full ethics commission will make if Friedman is approved. Ultimately at stake is the $1.2 million in Clean Elections funding Michael hopes a full complement of the commission will award him.

Michael, an outspoken former legislator and independent from Auburn, was supposed to have his appeal heard Aug. 1, contesting the decision to deny him funding under the Clean Elections Act.

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