Jackson bill to expand cellphone coverage in rural Maine earns committee approval
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee unanimously approved a bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, that would increase cell phone coverage in rural Maine on Thursday. “The lack of cell phone coverage in rural areas is a serious barrier for students, workers, businesses and residents,” said President Jackson. “This bill takes […]
Legislature passes Jackson bottle redemption center bill
AUGUSTA—A bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to support redemption centers was unanimously enacted in the Senate on Wednesday. LD 248, “An Act to Increase the Handling Fee for Beverage Containers Reimbursed to Redemption Centers” increases the handling fee so bottle redemption centers can afford to continue this recycling program. The bill will increase […]
Jackson introduces bill requiring responsible contracting for public works
AUGUSTA—Legislation from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to require the use of responsible contracting in all public works projects received a public hearing before the Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee on Wednesday. The bill – LD 1639, “An Act To Require Comprehensive Responsible Contracting Practices for Public Construction Projects” – would ensure all public works contracts go […]
Jackson Hire Maine/Hire American bill receives unanimous committee support
AUGUSTA — A bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to create a “Hire American” tax credit for companies that prioritize the hiring of Maine residents, received unanimous support from the Legislature’s Taxation Committee on Tuesday. LD 268, “An Act To Create a Credit under the Commercial Forestry Excise Tax for Landowners Using Businesses Based in […]
Senate approves Jackson bill to funder Mainers Feeding Mainers program
AUGUSTA—The Maine Senate unanimously approved legislation from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to bolster hunger relief efforts and support local farms, in an initial vote on Tuesday. The bill – LD 786, “An Act To Reduce Hunger and Promote Maine Agriculture” – would renew Mainers Feeding Mainers, a partnership between local farms and food banks working to […]
Jackson, Senate Democrats’ prescription drug reform package receives bipartisan support in committee
AUGUSTA—A suite of prescription drug reform bills from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, and Sen. Heather Sanborn, D-Portland, received bipartisan approval from the Legislature’s Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services on Tuesday. Together, the bills aim to make prescription medication more affordable and more accessible, while holding […]
Jackson introduces bill to support rural hospitals
AUGUSTA—A bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to support rural hospitals received a public hearing before the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee on Friday. LD 1350, “An Act To Improve Rural Health Care,” would increase the reimbursement rate for rural hospitals and health clinics. “Hospitals and emergency rooms spring to action during our worst […]
Jackson introduces legislation to promote wood-based energy industry
AUGUSTA — Legislation from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to support Maine’s emerging wood-based energy industry, received public hearings before the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee on Wednesday. “Maine’s forest products industry has been an important part of our rural economy for generations. As we work to confront the high cost of energy and […]
Jackson introduces bill to expand cell phone coverage in rural Maine
AUGUSTA — A bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, that would increase cell phone coverage in rural Maine received a public hearing before the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee on Wednesday. “The lack of cell phone coverage is more than just an inconvenience. It holds back our rural economy when businesses cannot use […]
President Jackson, Senate Democrats release statement on revenue forecasting report
AUGUSTA — The Maine Revenue Forecasting Committee presented its biannual report on revenue projections at the State House on Wednesday. The report projects an additional $66 million in revenue for state fiscal year 2019 and $20 million more in revenue over the next biennium. Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash and Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, Chair […]