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Boyer


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*Data on noncitizens should be made public to inform policy decisions*

"The Mills Administration won’t share how many noncitizens are in Maine, where they are, or their cost to Maine taxpayers "
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Hi, this is Representative David Boyer from Poland with the Weekly Republican Address.

Maine is facing some tough times right now.

Our budget, economy, and social challenges just keep growing. 

Our leaders have hard choices ahead, and to tackle these issues, they need to set clear priorities.

But here’s the thing—raising taxes isn’t the fix.

Maine already has one of the highest tax burdens in the country, ranking fifth overall. 

And when you factor in property taxes compared to income, Mainers are shelling out more than anyone else in the nation.

To make smart decisions, our policymakers need solid data. That’s where we’re hitting a wall.

One big frustration for Republicans—and honestly, for a lot of taxpayers—is how little we know about how much money is being spent on noncitizens, especially asylum seekers, whether they’re here legally or not.

For years, we’ve been asking the Mills administration some pretty basic questions:

How many asylum seekers are in Maine?

Where did they come from?

Where are they now?

And most importantly, how much are we spending to house, feed, and clothe them since they can’t work while their cases are processed?

These aren’t complicated questions—taxpayers deserve straight answers. 

Last year, we managed to dig up some info: over $35 million was spent on asylum seekers from just one pot of money, the Emergency Housing Fund.

That’s a big number, especially when you consider that in 2023, 85% of asylum applications were denied. 

Think about that—a lot of resources are going toward folks who, in most cases, won’t be allowed to stay.

This hits home when you see what’s happening around us.

Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals are shutting down.

Our roads are falling apart. Our schools are struggling.

On top of that, we’re wrestling with rising drug abuse, homelessness, and crime. 

And now? We’re staring down a serious budget shortfall.

The State Auditor’s Report didn’t help ease anyone’s mind either—it flagged $2.1 billion in contract spending that’s at risk of fraud, waste, and abuse.

Here’s something that really gets me: the administration said they couldn’t pull data on no-bid contracts—you know, those deals handed out without competitive bidding.

But then the Maine Wire stepped in and, with a simple data tool, uncovered 4,500 of them.

So, the info is out there; it’s just not reaching us. 

Now we’re left wondering: How many of those 4,500 contracts went to nonprofits serving asylum seekers? 

How was that money used? 

The public has a right to know.

That’s why I’ve introduced LD 875. This bill would make all records tied to competitive bidding—like notices when the state skips the bidding process—available on a public website.

It also pushes the state to dig up and share past records.

It’s a straightforward step toward accountability. After all, as the saying goes, “sunlight is the best disinfectant.” We need to shine a light on how our tax dollars are being spent.

Legislative Republicans are committed to bringing more transparency to Augusta. 

You can help us do that. Subscribe to our updates, share this message with your friends, and follow us on Facebook, X, TikTok, and Instagram. Together, we can keep pushing for answers.

This has been Representative David Boyer with the Weekly Republican Radio Address. Thanks for listening.

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Boyer
Representative David Boyer

is currently serving his second term in the Maine House representing District 87, which includes the town of Mechanic Falls and part of Poland.  He is the Ranking Republican on the 132nd Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs.

Rep. Boyer is an Eagle Scout and currently operates an antique dealership.  David is a member of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners, the Androscoggin Land Trust, and Ellis’s Legacy Animal Foundation. 

David and his spouse, Sara, have two children.  He enjoys spending his free time outdoors foraging, hiking, and skiing. 





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