Sen. Eric Brakey promised to fight for welfare reform, and he kept his promise.

For too long, Maine taxpayers have been taken advantage of while welfare dollars were diverted to those abusing the system, not those most truly in need.

Sen. Brakey led the effort to reform welfare. He negotiated bi-partisan legislation to prohibit the purchase of alcohol, cigarettes and lottery tickets with welfare dollars.

He sponsored and passed a new law to increase penalties for those caught defrauding local welfare programs, requiring them to repay stolen benefits.

He protected work requirements in the food stamp program, so that able-bodied adults without dependents must work, volunteer or do job training in order to continue receiving benefits.

I am proud to have a senator who is standing up for welfare reform.

For Mechanic Falls, Poland, New Gloucester, Minot and Auburn, I am voting to re-elect Eric Brakey.

Mark Elliott, Mechanic Falls