In the News
Senate approves DHHS budget, governor signs bill into law
… Not everybody was happy, and those bruised feelings could be a sign of things to come as the session rolls on. “Making this a better budget does not make it good,†said Assistant Senate Minority Leader Justin Alfond of Portland, who voted against the bill. “Democrats feel strongly that this budget does not reflect...
School choice, public funding for religious institutions headline LePage education plan
… “We need to build an education system around what each student needs,” LePage said. “Each student learns in different ways; we need to provide multiple pathways, and CTE plays a significant role in that.” Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, said the latter proposal has promise. However, he said, he was disappointed that the governor’s education...
Maine Bill Seeks Parent Involvement in Schools
… Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Justin Alfond of Portland is sponsoring a bill requiring every school board in the state to develop a plan to engage parents in their schools. Those plans would be posted online by the state Education Department so parents could access them easily. … Click here to read more from MPBN....
Lawmakers Consider Bill To Get Parents Involved In Education
Augusta - State lawmakers are considering a bill that would ask parents to play an even larger role in education. Portland Senator Justin Alfond is sponsoring a measure to would require every school board in Maine to develop a “Parental Involvement Plan.” These plans would provide parents with learning and behavior expectations, update parents on...
Can LePage close Maine’s schools? No, but he can cut their state funds
… The looming DHHS shortfall, estimated at $120 million through June 30, is still no reason to threaten closing schools, argued state Democrats. “To use schoolchildren as some sort of weapon in negotiations is just shocking to me,†Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, said Friday. “It’s just unconscionable.†Even Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Perry, the Senate president,...
Governor’s Budget Doesn’t Add Up
Despite independent analysis Governor continues PR campaign distorting facts Augusta—A letter from the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal and Program Review (OFPR) to Senate Democratic leadership confirms Democrats’ ongoing concerns that Governor LePage’s Department of Health and Human Services budget is not based on substantiated facts or data. Highlights of the one and half page letter...
