Pres. Jackson’s universal school meal bill earns bipartisan support in committee
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee approved a bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to reduce student hunger in a vote of 11-2 last week. LD 1679, An Act To Address Student Hunger through Expanding Access to Free School Meals would make School Breakfast and National School Lunch programs available to […]
Pres. Jackson introduces legislation to protect workers
AUGUSTA — Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, and Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor, introduced legislation to protect the rights of Mainer workers to speak up and take action against workplace violations at a press conference, followed by a public hearing on Friday. Lawmakers were joined by Destie Hohman Sprague of the Maine Women’s Lobby, Hugh Baran […]
Pres. Jackson looks connect Aroostook County to ISO New England
AUGUSTA — Today, Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, introduced legislation to facilitate renewable energy production in rural Maine and explore ways to connect Aroostook County to ISO New England at a series of public hearings. “Far too often, the people of northern Maine are left behind when it comes to energy costs, access to high-paying […]
President Jackson introduces the Kids First Plan
All children deserve a chance to live a healthy, happy and productive life. Where a kid lives or how much their parents make shouldn’t ever prevent them from getting ahead. Yet, too many children go to school hungry regularly. How can we expect them to learn on an empty stomach? If parents don’t have a safe place to drop their kids off to learn while they go to work, how can we expect parents to make ends meet for their families? And if child care workers aren’t supported, how can we expect them to stay open? Things were difficult before the COVID-19 pandemic. But there is no question that this crisis has had an outsized influence on our kids. The Kids First plan makes Maine kids a priority as we work to normalcy. We must ask ourselves what does it mean to truly put our kids first — and then, follow through.
Jackson bill to protect Maine trucking jobs clears Senate
AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate approved a bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to protect Maine trucking jobs in a vote of 24-9 on Wednesday. LD 188, “An Act Regarding the Transportation of Products in the Forest Products Industry” would fine large trucking companies and landowners for failing to follow federal cabotage laws. “It’s simple. All Maine truckers and loggers are asking […]
Senate approves Jackson bill to allow online selling of raffle tickets
AUGUSTA – The Maine Senate unanimously approved a bill from Senate President Troy Jackson of Allagash, to allow charities to hold online raffles on Wednesday. LD 671, “An Act To Allow the Sale of Raffle Tickets Online” would enable Maine residents over the age of 18 to purchase online raffle tickets. “Charitable organizations, […]
Legislation to increase nursing home funding earns unanimous committee support
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Maine’s nursing and long-term care facilities have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to their residents and our loved ones. In the most difficult and unrelenting conditions, they continued to provide quality, compassionate and personal care to their residents, finding creative ways to connect residents with their family members. Now, Maine lawmakers must show the same commitment to our nursing homes and the hardworking professionals who work there.
Pres. Jackson, Sen. Daughtry introduce the HOMED Act
It’s no secret that Maine is an aging state. It’s why lawmakers talk a lot about how we can attract and retain young families to keep our communities and economy thriving for future generations. However, between the high cost of student debt and the tough housing market all across the state, it’s getting harder for young people who grew up in Maine to come home to work, live and raise their families. LD 1709 aims to bring young Mainers home by getting them HOMED. This could be a game-changer for the next generation of Maine homeowners, giving young people a leg up as they try to compete with out-of-state buyers.
Pres. Jackson introduces bill to promote good-faith negotiations in public sector employee contracts
In Maine, when we make an agreement, we stick to it. The same should be done for negotiations. This bill is about making sure agreements reached through binding arbitration actually mean something for employees and employers. Public sector employees work hard. They deserve to know that whatever comes out of the arbitration process will be fair and honored by both parties.
Buy American, Build Maine clears committee
Buy American Build Maine is a win for the entire state. It puts taxpayer dollars back into the community, keeps our economy humming, and grows our Made-in-Maine brand. It does all of this by supporting the workers and businesses here in this state.