Maine Legislators at Quebec Winter Carnival (a.k.a., Drunkfest) on the Taxpayers' dime

Don't know about this one specifically but past practice has always been to dangle a couple of places on junkets to Republicans so they have the cover of "bipartisanship."

Okay, I may get into trouble here, but I'm going to ask for a link, or some kind of further information on the event you're discussing.

I don't know about this event, but out-of-state travel for state employees, USM, and legislators can add up.
They aren't staying at the EconLodge

I went to Winter Carnival in Quebec a few years ago. To the best of my knowledge, my wife and I were the only people in the Province who weren't drunk. When drunks passed out in snowbanks the police just took them to warming shacks so they didn't lose extremeties or die. I'm sure our legislators are far more circumspect.

I'm sure you're correct. Mike. Why, I bet they even leave their fireworks at home.

Obviously just another example of the ruthless cut everything to the bone budget mentality in Augusta......

When drunks passed out in snowbanks the police just took them to warming shacks so they didn't lose extremities or die.

Say what you will about Canada, but they still do SOME things right up there!

I know that in the past it was largely subsidized by private donations. This has been going on for at least 15 years. Not arguing the merits.

When I worked for the State, I was told that our legislators like to stay at Le Château Frontenac (http://www.fairmont.com/frontenac) but it can be difficult to find any vacancies there for that Winter Carnival (a.k.a., drunkfest). More details are posted at http://www.carnaval.qc.ca/en.

A freedom of information request might be in order to illustrate this wasteful use of Maine tax dollars.

They do stay at the Chateau. Good luck getting a room, unless, you are a friend of the Mayor of Quebec City like some of our french speaking legislators just might happen to be. No names mentioned ofcourse to protect the innocent.

What do you know, it looks like this “tradition” might go back to at least 1982… this article even has a picture of John Martin when he was Speaker of the House (toward bottom of the page):
Click Here for the old newspaper article.

Google is a wonderful resource to help dig out some of the facts. In fact, after some opening remarks from the Governor and then-DECD Commissioner John Richardson, the Maine International Trade Center has made the following report:

“Also in early 2007, MITC, in cooperation with the Office of Tourism, hosted a breakfast briefing for Maine and Quebec legislators on the status of relations between the two jurisdictions. Held during the Quebec
Winter Carnival, the briefing attracted approximately 50 attendees.”

(Source: http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:Ld8IABZ07icJ:www.mainebiz.org/public...)

I wonder which of our Maine state leaders attended this breakfast briefing. Since it was Richardson's department that organized this event, perhaps this current candidate for Governor was there himself? Hmmmm...

I almost forgot that John Richardson's friend, Pat Eltman, has also been involved in this tradition:
"Although she has no direct experience in tourism marketing, Eltman has worked with some key industry insiders in coordinating Maine's official presence at the Quebec Winter Carnival."
(Source: Click Here for the MS article.

What a waste of Maine tax dollars!

If in fact the trip is funded by private donations it would be interesting to see who is paying for this trip and any others.

Thanks for reminding me that yesterday, Ray Richardson uttered "John Martin, who I like....." on his show.

What's up with that?

That sounds like something Ray would say to keep all parties happy. I'll bet John Martin's legislative expenses would be an interesting read some day.

When drunks passed out in snowbanks the police just took them to warming shacks so they didn't lose extremities or die.

Say what you will about Canada, but they still do SOME things right up there!

It's a lot cheaper to put them in the warming hut than to provide them with FREE medical care.

It always surprised me that Canada doesn't allow people with drunk driving convictions to enter Canada. I finally figured out that they have enough drunks of their own without importing more.

Drink Canada Dry! Some have tried...All have failed.

Quebec City is also famous for its open gay lifestyle and drag queens. Just saying. Birds of a feather....

Thanks for reminding me that yesterday, Ray Richardson uttered "John Martin, who I like....." on his show.

He's still on the air ? YUK.....