In the News
Democrats call on governor to stop misinformation, blame game
AUGUSTA – Democratic lawmakers released the following statement in response to the governor’s continued effort to misinform the public about the cause of the DHHS shortfall and the figures his administration used to calculate them. “The governor must stop spreading misinformation to the public and disrupting the Appropriations Committee,†said Rep. Emily Cain, D-Orono, the...
Democrats issue symbolic rejection of LePage’s DHHS budget plan
… Sens. Barry Hobbins, D-Saco, and Justin Alfond, D-Portland, acknowledged the break in tradition. However, they said, the governor’s proposal or method of delivering it wasn’t traditional, either. Alfond said the governor had developed a habit of treating the Legislature as if it worked exclusively for him. He noted how LePage “stomped” into Appropriations last...
Portland schools may move away from traditional grade levels, grading systems
… The Legislature approved a resolution in June that outlines a plan for statewide adoption of standards-based education. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, and was initially proposed as a law that would have eliminated credit-based graduation requirements and created statewide rubric systems for student evaluations. … Click here to read more...
Senator Alfond Celebrates Portland’s Small Businesses
PORTLAND –  Senator Alfond (D-Cumberland County) attended two recent events that highlight the  importance of small businesses to our economy. On Wednesday night three Portland-based businesses were honored for their roles in helping to stimulate Portland’s economy, and on Thursday  Bangor Savings Bank was named as the overall top Small Business Administration (SBA) lender in...
Schools hit by federal budget cuts
… Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, the only Democratic senator on the Legislature’s Education Committee, said the state should seek to make sure cuts have as little impact as possible on students in the classroom. “I think that many here in Maine hope that bipartisan solutions can come forth from D.C.,” he said. “If they don’t...
Maine Lawmakers Decide What’s In, What’s Out, in Upcoming Session
… The total could be ramped up, depending on how much legislation the governor submits to the Legislature. Although Raye says fewer new bills should allow the Legislature to adjourn in April, Democratic Assistant Senate Minority Leader Justin Alfond, of Portland, emphasized that the bills that will be coming down the pipeline are complex and...
