In the News
Budget now up to LePage
… The two-year spending plan, described as “the toughest budget in recent history” by Assistant Senate Minority Leader Justin Alfond, will go into effect July 1 if it is signed by LePage. His spokeswoman, Adrienne Bennett, said the governor will read the budget over the next few days. … Read more at the Kennebec Journal....
Senate approves allowing public charter schools in Maine
… “The results are not glamorous,†said Sen. Justin Alfond, a Portland Democrat, citing the performance of charter schools in other states. Alfond said 37 percent of charters perform worse than public schools, and 46 percent produce results on par with public schools. That leaves only about 20 percent of charter schools that perform better...
After Months Of Heated Debate Regulatory Reform Becomes Bipartisan Victory
… Democratic Senator Justin Alfond agreed saying the bill was crafted after some contentious debate. “Democrats and Republicans came together and we really tussled with the major issues that were in LD-1 and I’m proud to say the most contentious ones were either moderated or were taken out because they just weren’t ready for prime...
Maine Senate Rejects Bill Requiring Photo ID to Vote
… For Democrats like Sen. Justin Alfond, of Portland, a bill to require a state-approved photo identification card in order to vote is a solution in search of a problem. “There’s simply no evidence that voter ID requirement solves any real problems here in Maine,” he said. “People simply do not impersonate other people in...
Move to Eliminate Maine’s Same Day Voter Registration Law Draws Protests
… Sen. Justin Alfond is a Portland Democrat. He says the impending passage of LD 1376 will disenfranchise thousands of Mainers. “It strikes at the heart of what makes Maine one of the greatest states in this country–our participation,” Alfond said. … Read more at MPBN.
GOP chairman’s charge that Democrats ‘steal’ election causes stir
… Senate Democrats seemed to be running out of adjectives as they called Webster’s insinuations everything from absurd to “pure poppycock.†Most of all, Democrats insisted, Webster revealed the true intent of the bill: a national Republican agenda aimed at making electoral gains at democracy’s expense. “Well, Charlie Webster, good for you,†said Sen. Justin...
