March 16--AUGUSTA, Maine -- Two Maine legislators sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Thursday asking him to repeal parts of a federal identification program that have spurred privacy concerns and policy headaches over the state's non-compliance with the law.

It's supported by Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, who has been leading the fight to preserve a 2007 law that bars the state from complying with the federal REAL ID Act. In January, the federal government stopped accepting Maine driver's licenses at certain facilities.

The plea to Trump from two libertarian-leaning state senators -- Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, and Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester -- is effectively emerging as a rival plan to a bill from Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, which would make Maine comply with the federal law.

Maine has implemented many REAL ID provisions, but it's one of five states in non-compliance, having balked at controversial data warehousing requirements in the law, such as using facial recognition software in the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and fingerprinting bureau employees.

Brakey and Bellows want Trump to repeal those types of provision with an executive order, with the letter asking Trump to take "quick action" to "to preserve the safety and liberty of all Americans" from the "impending security and privacy disaster" that is REAL ID's final stages.

It called the barring of entry to federal facilities "the worst kind of blackmail." Maine's position will be worse in January 2018, when licenses won't be accepted by airlines for boarding domestic flights, although passports or passport cards will be valid.

Dunlap, a Democrat, said Maine would be in compliance with the law if Trump took that action, although he said he didn't know the Republican president's stance on the issue.

"Once you start complying, you don't know what the purposes will then be designated for or what additional requirements may come down the road," he said.

The Legislature has given initial approval to a bill from Assistant House Majority Leader Jared Golden, D-Lewiston, that would fund passport cards for veterans who get health care at Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire, but it awaits funding before final passage. Diamond's bill will be considered by the Legislature's Transportation Committee on Thursday.

Watch bangordailynews.com for updates.

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OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A++ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “aa+” (Superior) of Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska (BHLN) (Omaha, NE). In addition, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICR of “aa-” (Superior) of First Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company (First Berkshire Hathaway Life) (New York, NY). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

BHLN’s ratings reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

BHLN has continued to produce favorable capital growth. In large part, the company's growth heading into 2024 was attributed to realized gains from the sale of unaffiliated equity holdings, driving annual net income to over $3 billion dollars. Irrespective of that recently realized gain, the subsequent 2025 performance proved a longer-term trend of investment income growth from an enhanced net yield on invested assets. The company’s core net investment income moderated slightly to $717.6 million in 2025, down from $732.0 million, maximizing capital accumulation without relying on one-time market sales.

Furthermore, the company encountered less operational strain across both years following the suspension of new business initiated in 2023. This deliberate approach allowed BHLN to run an exceptionally efficient balance sheet throughout 2024 and 2025, as the company awaits more favorable macro-economic conditions for its structured settlement business.

The ratings of First Berkshire Hathaway Life reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its marginal operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate ERM.

Like BHLN, 2024 also represented First Berkshire Hathaway Life’s second full year of no new sales, which along with improved investment income, led to its best net earnings result in over five years of nearly $6.3 million. Despite this result, the company still lags the industry average for return on equity due to the amount of excess capital that it holds. AM Best notes that First Berkshire Hathaway Life’s balance sheet continues to be highly liquid, with most invested assets held in cash and short-term securities. AM Best also notes that both BHLN and First Berkshire Hathaway Life receive substantial financial, operational and other resource support from their parent company, National Indemnity Company.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

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Source: AM Best