Rainy Day Fund reaches record high
AUGUSTA – A report from the Legislature’s Office of Policy and Fiscal Review puts Maine’s Budget Stabilization Fund at an all-time high of $895.9 million after the state “closed the books” on Fiscal Year 2022, which ended on June 30. The new balance reflects an increase of more than $400 million. Senate President Troy Jackson, […]
President Jackson earns perfect score for voting record on education
AUGUSTA — Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, earned a perfect score from Maine Education Association for his voting record on legislation to support students, teachers, and families. He was one of 19 senators to earn a 100 percent voting record for votes taken in 2022. “From an early age, I saw not only the commitment […]
President Jackson, Senate Majority Leaders Vitelli and Daughtry react to Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade
AUGUSTA – This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, officially overturning the abortion rights affirmed in the case of Roe v. Wade. The ruling comes a month after a draft opinion purportedly supported by a majority of the justices on the court was leaked to […]
Jackson, Senate Majority Leaders release statements on threat to landmark abortion ruling
AUGUSTA – Today, Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, released the following statements regarding a leaked draft of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade: President Jackson: “I find myself struggling to find the right words in response […]
Mills joins Pres. Jackson Aroostook County veterans for ceremonial bill signing
AUGUSTA — On Friday, Governor Janet T. Mills joined Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, Senator Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, and Aroostook County veterans and their families for a ceremonial bill signing at the Lister-Knowlton Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9389 in Caribou. President Jackson invited Governor Mills and Senator Hickman, Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Veterans […]
Mills, Jackson announce Maine Veterans’ Home Board of Trustees’ votes to keep open homes in Caribou and Machias
For weeks, the veterans, their family members and the staff at the Maine Veteran’s Homes in Caribou and Machias have had to grapple with enormous uncertainty and mixed messages as the Legislature worked to pass legislation to save the two facilities. Today, folks can finally breathe a sigh of relief now that Governor Mills has signed LD 2001 into law and that the Board has reconsidered its closure vote. As we look to the future, we must continue working to ensure that the Maine Veterans’ Homes can continue serving veterans and their families in rural Maine.
Mills signs Jackson bill to keep Maine Veterans’ Homes in Caribou, Machias open
In Augusta, politicians talk an awful lot about standing up for rural Maine, fighting for rural Maine and making sure rural Maine doesn’t get left behind. We often use the same lofty rhetoric to talk about our veterans. Today, with the help of Governor Mills, the Maine Legislature matched those words with action by passing LD 2001 and keeping our promise to Maine veterans. I’m so grateful to all of the veterans, family members and staff at the Maine Veterans’ Homes in Caribou and Machias who reached out and shared their stories. The fact that we were able to put a stop to this injustice is a testament to our community.
Jackson small businesses electric rate relief bill clears Taxation Committee
Mainers all across the state are still reeling from sky-high electric rates caused in part by the increase in natural gas. While we work on long-term strategies to lower costs, I’m hopeful that the checks in the supplemental budget will help working families offset increased prices. But we also need to do something for small businesses across the state that have been hit the hardest. This credit is an attempt to help small businesses with high-energy usage, like convenience and grocery stores, afford to stay open and serve our rural communities. I’m grateful to the Taxation Committee for partnering with me on this effort.
Bill to save Veterans’ Homes in Caribou, Machias gets initial legislative approval
When the Maine Legislature established the Maine Veterans’ Homes, we made a commitment to the men and women serving in our nation’s armed forces to repay their service by making sure they could get the care they need in their later years. For 35 years, the state has kept this promise. To close these facilities now and move veterans out of their homes and away from their families for no good reason is simply unacceptable.
I’m so grateful that my colleagues in the Senate and House joined me in unanimously supporting LD 2001 on an initial vote. It’s only fitting that we would reaffirm our commitment to Maine veterans by taking this up on National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Now it’s time to get this bill across the finish line and stop the closure dead in its tracks.
Senate unanimously approves Jackson bill to expand internet access in Caribou
Improving access to reliable, high-speed internet is about making sure that the families, small businesses and communities in rural Maine don’t get left behind. But all too often, internet service providers charge exorbitant fees to connect those living and working in what’s known as the ‘last mile’ because it doesn’t benefit their own bottom line. I believe the people and small businesses in rural Maine are worth the investment. It’s why I am proud to partner with the community leaders in Caribou to get folks connected so students can participate in online learning, patients can get telehealth care and businesses can compete in the modern economy.