Maine State Retirement System
Since Bruce Poliquin became the State Treasurer, there has been a lot of discussion about Maine’s pension liabilities and whether or not Maine is facing a crisis. Because of the Treasurer’s nonstop barrage of media, I’d like to take the opportunity to shed some light on a complex issue. The Maine pension system was set...
Portland Delegation and the Budget
Last Friday, February 25th, the city and state delegations met in Portland. We spoke about the opportunities and challenges for the City during the 125th Legislature. Not surprisingly, the challenges are plentiful. We spoke specifically about two major subjects that would hurt the City’s financial, services and support systems: Repealing Revenue Sharing: Governor’s LePage’s budget would repeal our...
Appropriations Hearings on the Biennial Budget
To be held in conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation: February 28th 10:00 am To be held in conjunction with the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation: March 1st 1:00 pm To be heard by the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs: March 2nd 10:00 am STATE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS, ELIGIBILITY &...
Democratic Weekly Address – Feb 19th, 2011
Alfond Democratic Weekly Address – Feb 19th, 2011 Good morning. And, thank you for tuning in to the Democratic Weekly Radio Address. I’m Senator Justin Alfond—Assistant Democratic Leader from Portland. The 125th Legislature has been active. The Governor has just announced his budgeting priorities for the next biennium. And, of course, as is the nature...
Senate Passes Supplemental Budget with Full Support
AUGUSTA—The Senate Democrats voted unanimously in full support of the $151 million supplemental budget for fiscal year 2011. The vote on the Senate floor was 34 – 0. The budget passed in the House of Representatives prior to it arriving on the Senate floor. “With the passage of the supplemental budget, we have jumped over...
Floor Speech on Supplemental Budget
Thank you Mr. President and ladies and gentlemen of the Senate. I want to thank all the members of the Appropriations Committee including our three Senators from Hancock, Kennebec and York. From this vantage point, it seems the passing of the supplemental budget went along w/relative ease. (joke: of course i wasn’t on the committee)...
