This week, I give an update on the budget and our workforce development efforts, help you find unclaimed property, and share some more great news for Cumberland County.

Cumberland One of Healthiest Counties in Maine

More great news for the Greater Portland area. Cumberland County was named the healthiest county in Maine for health factors, and second healthiest for health outcomes. This is great news for the county, and comes on the heels of a great report last week in Forbes Magazine which listed Greater Portland as the best place to find a job this Spring.

Click here to read more.

Unclaimed Property

Every year, the State Treasurer releases a list of unclaimed and abandoned property to assist Mainers in finding money that is owed to them. Please take a moment and see if you have some money coming your way.
Click here to search for unclaimed property.

Belfast Workforce Meeting

Monday afternoon, the Joint Select Committee on Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future traveled to Belfast to tour the Front Street Shipyard and hold a public hearing and panel discussion with local economic development and downtown revitalization experts. Front Street Shipyard is a world-class boat builder located in Belfast. JB Turner, an owner of the Front Street Shipyard, told the committee that the company chose Belfast because of the flat land, deep water access, and “it’s a vibrant city with lots to do.” Turner also noted that Belfast’s revitalized downtown made the city an excellent location for his shipyard.

It was great to see the Committee go out into the community and meet with business owners and to hear from the public about the work they are doing

On Friday, the committee will reconvene and continue its work session on LD 90, my bill that includes a variety of options such as a seamless credit transfer system between the University of Maine System and Maine Community College System, reducing the waiting lists at community colleges for high-demand programs, and creating a “training pipeline” for high demand, high wage jobs. The measure also includes specific proposals ranging from better coordination of existing job training programs to creating new programs that will support workers at varying stages of career development.

Brewer Appropriations Meeting

Also on Monday, the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee traveled to Brewer to hold a hearing on the Governor’s proposed cuts that will have a particular effect on municipalities. Many municipal officials are concerned that the Governor’s proposal will cause a hike in property taxes, will result in local job losses, and force cuts to town police and firefighters.

More than 200 people packed the hearing room at Jeff’s Catering and Event Center in Brewer, with nearly all of them testifying against LePage’s cuts to municipal aid, tax credits for seniors, middle class families, businesses, and funds to local schools. From Revenue Sharing to General Assistance to the BETR and BETE programs, the Governor’s proposed budget marks a massive tax shift from the state to municipalities.

Bills Submitted

Every two years, legislators submit bills to make changes in current law. Over the next few weeks, I will be highlighting some of my bills this session.
Today, I’m going to talk about LR 1879, “An Act to Attract Military Families to Maine.”
Last year, a law was enacted that directed the Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation to develop procedures to help active and former military personnel acquire professional licenses for skills gained during service. My bill will instruct the Commissioner to help military spouses by expediting the transfer of professional licenses to Maine.