Once-in-a-lifetime investment in working Maine families, businesses and communities becomes law
Today, Maine Senate Democrats voted in favor of a historic investment in Maine businesses and working families who experienced profound hardship and extraordinary tragedy throughout this pandemic. It will lift up the farmers and fishermen who have suffered greatly after the demand for local foods disappeared overnight when restaurants had to close their dining rooms, while also boosting small businesses all across the state. It will help Maine seniors and individuals with disabilities afford to stay in their homes while supporting family caregivers and working to build a robust direct care workforce. And, it will make long-overdue investments in our career technical education and workforce training programs, while also working to close gaps in our health care workforce and system.
Budget committee votes on once-in-a-lifetime investment in working Maine families, businesses and communities
With the passage of LD 1733, Maine is poised not only to recover from the pandemic but to thrive in the coming years. Investments in people, workforce development, child care, health care, and infrastructure for new and legacy home-grown industries offer enormous opportunities for growth.
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.
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 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, […]
Gov. Mills vetoes Jackson bill to ban the aerial spraying of glyphosate, other harmful chemicals in the Maine forests
To say this news is disappointing would be an understatement. How much longer are we going to allow large landowners to get away with spraying poison in our forests so they can grow their bottom line? The science is clear — the aerial spraying of glyphosate and other harmful chemicals has a devastating effect on our rivers and streams, plants and wildlife, and the health and well-being of people in the surrounding area. It’s also detrimental to hunting and fishing and the businesses that depend on outdoor recreation, and sets Maine back on our climate goals. Although the chances of overriding the governor’s veto are slim, Maine lawmakers will have one final opportunity to ban this practice once and for all. I’m hoping that we can come together as Democrats, Republicans and Independents to override this veto and put an end to this alarming practice.
Pres. Jackson releases statement as budget committee votes on ed funding and rev sharing
The reality is that Maine’s budget is a statement about what we value. With the funding measures passed by the AFA Committee today, we say loud and clear that the Maine Legislature supports our public schools, students, teachers and hardworking property taxpayers. Maine voters have told us in no uncertain terms that the state needs to be doing its part to take care of our schools and help local government. It’s high time we kept that promise.