This week is a short week in Augusta because of the Maine Development Foundation trip. The MDF bus trip is a great way for legislators from all across the state to learn about the incredible complexities of Maine’s economy. Click here to read more about the MDF bus trip.
Community Event
On Tuesday, December 20th, the Portland Legislative Delegation met with newly elected Mayor Brennan, City Manager Rees, several City Councilors and Superintendent Morse. We met to discuss effective ways to work together and to create priorities for the second session. Some topics that we all agreed are crucial to Portland include: Medicaid funding, Portland schools and education funding, and bonding for research and development and roads and bridges. Every two weeks, the Portland Delegation and Mayor Brennan will get together, with the first of those meetings having taken place on Monday, January 9th. What topics do you think we should be discussing in these meetings? |
| Inside Augusta
DHHS budget still has many questions The DHHS budget cuts to Medicaid (MaineCare) are still dominating the discussion and headlines across the state. On Friday, January 6th, the Governor and his DHHS staff missed another deadline to clarify their budget. Unexpectedly, the Appropriations Committee was canceled because the DHHS and The Office of Fiscal and Program Review were not ready to verify the DHHS numbers and assumptions. To date, there are still many unanswered questions, and last week’s missed deadline has not helped.
Clean Elections Funding for Governor upheld in committee:
On Thursday, January 5th the Veterans Legal Affairs unanimously voted down a proposal to eliminate gubernatorial clean elections funding. This was quite a reversal, as the Governor originally proposed eliminating the entire $3 million in funding. There was hardly any discussion, but I’m sensing that the majority party did not want to have themselves tied to not only trying to eliminate same-day voter regisration but also eliminating clean elections for the governor’s race.
Governor Vetoes Three Democratic Bills On Thursday, Governor LePage vetoed three bills sponsored by Senate Democrats. The first, LD 1264, was an energy efficiency bill sponsored by Senator Phil Bartlett. This bill would simply give government entities an additional tool to save taxpayers money, expanding financing options and creating jobs.
The second bill, LD 338, would have provided a tax credit for logging companies that hire Maine workers. Senator Troy Jackson has been fighting for years to support Maine loggers that have been put out of work by cheaper Canadian labor. The third bill, LD 205, was sponsored by Senator Stan Gerzofsky, and would have exempted nonprofit performing arts centers from sales tax in a effort to encourage the creative economy. What do you think about these bills and the Governor’s vetoes?
Education Commissioner Strategic Plan Unveiled
Over the last few months, Commissioner Bowen and the Department of Education have been touring the state showcasing their new strategic plan for K-12 education. The DOE’s new framework is centered around students and calls for a student-centered, proficiency-based educational system. (This framework is based off of my bill passed from last session, LD 949). The next ring highlights great teachers and leaders. It stresses effectiveness and professional development. The third ring examines the multiple pathways for students to achieve. Here the DOE showcases the concept of any time, anywhere learning. You can see and read more about the plan here. I’m supportive of the strategic plan and look forward to working hard with the Commissioner and my colleagues on the work ahead.
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| Weekly Radio Address
On Saturday, I had the honor of delivering the official Democratic response to the Governor’s radio address. I took the opportunity to discuss the shortfall in the Health and Human Services budget. I hope you’ll take a moment to listen and share your thoughts. |
Closing
It’s great to be back in Augusta. As always, your responses to my emails are insightful – please keep contacting me with issues.
