Jackson child care bill becomes law
As it stands, Maine’s child care system isn’t working well for anyone. Maine parents cannot find child care providers with open slots in their communities or near their work. Maine child care providers are barely scraping by despite high demand, and many are closing their doors. It’s time to build a child care system that actually works for Maine kids, parents, providers and employers.
Bill to create forest advisory board heads to governor’s desk
The creation of the Maine Forest Advisory Board is about making sure the hardworking people in the logging industry have a voice in state-level forestry decisions that impact their lives. As a state, Maine faces complex problems in our forests, including climate change, drought, fire, insects, and wildlife and habitat management. The way we solve complicated problems in Aroostook County is by getting everyone around the same table working together to come up with commonsense solutions, or at the very least, the best path forward. The same commonsense approach should work statewide as we work to protect and preserve jobs, recreational opportunities and natural resources in the Maine woods. I’m incredibly grateful to Rep. Maggie O’Neil for bringing this bill forward and look forward to it becoming law.
Jackson applauds funding for Limestone-Magnet School
AUGUSTA — Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, announced that one-time COVID-19 relief funding for the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone following the passage of a strong, bipartisan part two budget on Wednesday, June 30. The budget includes a one-time expenditure of $225,000 to the nationally renowned magnet school which experienced a dip […]
Jackson child care bill heads to governor’s desk
The child care system in Maine isn’t working for kids, families, providers or businesses. Too many families can’t find quality, affordable child care in their area and too many providers can barely afford to keep their doors open. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made things worse. At the same time, there are already extraordinary providers and organizations doing this vital work in communities all across the state. LD 1712 recognizes this good work by investing in providers and organizations to help them open up child care slots, invest in providers, support parents and improve quality. By sending this bill to the governor’s desk, we can begin to end child care deserts in Maine.
Jackson’s Buy American, Build Maine Act heads to governor’s desk
With Independence Day this weekend, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the founding of this country than to make the Buy American, Build Maine Act law. I’m hopeful the governor will sign it.
Legislature sends compromise offshore wind bill to governor’s desk
For generations, Maine lobstermen have proven to be great stewards of our environment — their livelihood depends on the longevity of our working waterfronts. As we embrace renewable energy and new economic opportunities, I’ve always believed that we could find a middle ground that works for both our hardworking fishermen and our energy goals. I’m grateful to the fishing industry for coming to the table and working in good faith to find a commonsense solution.
Legislature sends strong bipartisan budget to the governor’s desk
Today, the Maine Legislature sent a strong, bipartisan budget to the governor’s desk that makes good on long-standing promises and obligations to the people of the state of Maine. It funds 55 percent of education funding for the first time since voters mandated it more than a decade ago, it prioritizes property tax relief for Maine families and seniors so they can afford to stay in their homes and in our communities, and returns $150 million to more than 500,000 extraordinary workers who showed up time and time again throughout the pandemic. After a year of uncertainty and hardship, this is the type of budget Maine families, communities and small businesses deserve. I’m so grateful to my colleagues on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee for putting aside partisanship and making this happen.
Gov. Mills vetoes bills designed to clamp down on prescription drug price gouging, unsupported price increases
AUGUSTA – Gov. Janet Mills vetoed legislation from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, and Sen. Ned Claxton, D-Auburn, that targeted prescription drug price gouging and unsupported price increases for lifesaving medication, on Tuesday. The two measures — LD 1117 and LD 675 — are part of the Making Health Care Work for Maine package, which […]
Gov. Mills signs Jackson bill to create good-paying jobs in northern Maine into law
Aroostook County has so much untapped economic potential, especially when it comes to renewable energy production. We can’t afford to let it go to waste. I’m hopeful that this new commission will unlock that pent-up economic potential and work alongside our heritage industries to power our communities and economy for generations to come.
Jackson, Breen release statement on budget agreement
AUGUSTA — Today, the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee reached a unanimous, bipartisan agreement on the budget. The proposal will go before the full Legislature on Wednesday, June 30 for a vote. “Today, the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee approved a bipartisan proposal that finally makes good on our longstanding commitment to Maine schools, […]