Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great holiday and that 2012 is off to a terrific start. In Augusta, we’ll be starting the second session of the 125th Legislature today, Wednesday. I am looking forward to getting back to work on behalf of the people of Portland.

Community Event

Last month, the Commissioner of Education, Steve Bowen, visited the Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS). This was the third forum the Commissioner held to meet with parents, teachers and other community members to discuss ways to measure school performance and reward success. As you may know, I serve on the Education & Cultural Affairs Committee in the Legislature; what do you think we can do to improve our schools’ performance?

Inside Augusta

The first month back in session will be fast and furious! All carryover bills must be reported out of committee by January 27th. In addition to committees meeting, the Maine Development Tour is once again bringing legislators to businesses, academic institutions and other cultural locations in Southern Maine. Read the itinerary here.

Finally, the Appropriations Committee will be busy analyzing the Governor’s $221 million cut to Mainecare. Some great news from yesterday; the Governor has decided to drop his plan to cut millions from private non-medical institutions, sparing nearly 6,000 Mainers from devastating cuts. From day one Democrats had opposed most of the proposed cuts and this one in particular.  This is great news and a good start to the legislative session! Read more from the Portland Press Herald.

My Bills This Session

This session, I have six bills up for consideration: two carry-overs from last session, three new bills, and one bill that was tabled for consideration. I will cover two of these bills each week in my next few emails.

LD 675 – An Act To Establish Multidistrict Online Classes in Maine
This bill would give students online opportunities, a flexible and alternative pathway, to continue their education. Students would be allowed to take any online class that any district in the state offers any time as long as the home school has openings. This bill was carried over because of concerns that school districts could have more students taking courses without a clear understanding of costs.

LD 1503 – An Act To Promote School Attendance and Increase School Achievement
This is a big bill cleaning up outdated statutes and creating clear, transparent and firm school policies around suspension, expulsion and truancy. This is key to keeping more students, especially those at risk, in school. This bill was carried over because the committee got a lot of pushback around changing the age students must attend school from age seven to age six. What are your thoughts on this bill?

Closing

As always I look forward to hearing from you this session.

-Justin