Rep. Jon Hinck, D-Portland, wrote a letter (April 8) to the Sun Journal in rebuttal to an April 1 editorial. His subject was Maine’s Attorney General William Schneider and his trip to the U.S. Supreme Court for the hearing on the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

Rep. Hinck’s concern centered on the use of the attorney general’s settlement account funds for the expenses of the trip in these days of restricted budgets.

Attorney General Schneider represented Maine, a co-plaintiff with several other states, at the hearing. Several questions arise in my mind aimed at full disclosure and transparency:

— If Maine and other states file a complaint together, is it appropriate for Maine to be unrepresented at the hearing?

— If the cost of Schneider’s trip is of concern, how much did it cost?

— Rep. Hinck said his campaign treasurer, Lewiston’s Sen. Margaret Craven, attended the hearing without the use of public funds. What were the sources of her funding and what were her costs? Why was her presence required?

I am grateful that Rep. Hinck made note of the expenses for travel and lodging uncovered at the Maine State Housing Authority. These were ignored by the Democrats when they had the majority, and the more recent Republican majority has exposed them.

Overall, Rep. Hinck’s letter represents a weak selection of a subject in order to score political points. He should join the Republicans in uncovering waste in areas yet to be explored.

Thomas F. Shields, Auburn