Maine Repuke Rep. Cressey asked to resign for living and working in Massachusetts

[Ian David]

Legislator takes heat for spending time in Massachusetts

September 8, 2007

AUGUSTA, Maine --A fourth-term Maine legislator who's been working in Massachusetts while living there with his family several days a week has come under pressure to relinquish his seat because of questions about his residency.

Republican Rep. Philip Cressey Jr. has refused a call from Democratic House Speaker Glenn Cummings that he resign. House Minority Leader Joshua Tardy stopped short of saying Cressey should give up his seat, but advised that he consider such a move.

Cressey, whose District 99 includes the towns of Baldwin, Cornish, Denmark, Limington and Sebago, said he is serving as an interim pastor at the First Baptist Church in Rowley, Mass., where he hopes to get a full-time job. His children are enrolled in public schools there.

<snip>

Cummings said constituents and legislative staffers have had problems contacting Cressey, who said he can be reached by e-mail or by leaving a telephone message for him in Cornish.

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http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2007/09/08/legislator_takes_heat_for_spending_time_in_massachusetts/

[saracat]

1. Wow! They really just can't play by the rules can they?

[Ian David]

3. I bet he paid taxes and registered his car in Maine... because it's CHEAPER! n/t

[valerief]

2. Pastor. Why doesn't he get a real job like real Americans have to find? nt

[deadmessengers]

4. Not uncommon, on either side of the aisle.

There is a Democratic congressman from New York City that hasn't actually lived in his district in about 15 years. He rented a small studio apartment in his district for residency purposes, but his family lives in the Maryland DC 'burbs full-time.