Senate approves Making Health Care Work for Maine package
The Maine Senate overwhelmingly approved the Making Health Care Work for Maine package put forth by Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, and the Maine Senate Democrats on Tuesday. The suite of health care and prescription drug reform bills target outrageous health care spending, unsupported and extreme prescription drug price increases, and drug price transparency.
Maine Legislature sends bill to ban the aerial spraying of toxic chemicals to Governor’s desk
The aerial spraying of toxic chemicals, including glyphosate, is a harmful and unnecessary practice that is becoming increasingly more popular among landowners at the expense of the people and wildlife in northern Maine. These chemicals seep into our rivers and streams, they do irreversible damage to the local ecosystem and wildlife and they threaten the health of our workers and families. Banning this practice is long overdue. I’m hopeful that the governor will sign this bill into law and to protect the health and well-being of the people working and living in northern Maine, and safeguard our natural resources for future generations.
Maine Senate Democrats reject efforts to undermine voting rights
There is a reason that Maine regularly leads the nation in voter turnout. It’s because Maine people care deeply about the future of this state and they know that our election system works.
Buy American, Build Maine earns Senate approval
Maine small businesses and the hardworking people who keep them running don’t just drive our economy, they really are a part of our communities. Small business owners sponsor our little league teams, help out with band fundraisers and donate to our community food banks. They are our family members, neighbors and friends. Buy American, Build Maine is about lifting up these workers, businesses and quality-manufactured products in our own backyard. Throughout this pandemic, Maine workers, businesses and manufacturers have stepped up to serve and support our communities in the toughest of circumstances. We owe it to them to have their backs.
Senate approves corporate contribution ban
Getting money out of our politics and our government is essential to ensuring that the Maine Legislature remains a governing body of citizens and a governing body that works for its citizens. That starts with the corporate contribution ban. It makes clear that our democracy is not for sale.
Senate sends HOMED Act to the governor’s desk
Year after year, politicians in Augusta talk about the need to attract and retain young workers as Maine’s current workforce prepares to retire. But between student debt and Maine’s outrageous housing market, too many young people can’t afford to return to the state they love to live, work, raise a family and eventually retire. Now instead of just talking about it, Maine lawmakers are doing something about it by creating a program that will help young people purchase homes through student debt relief.
Committee approves Jackson bill to create good-paying jobs, connect northern Maine to ISO-NE
AUGUSTA — A bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to pave the way for good-paying renewable energy jobs in northern Maine, earned unanimous, bipartisan approval in the Legislature Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee on Friday. The vote was 9-0 of the committee members present. “I hear from a lot of Maine politicians that we’re not […]
Pres. Jackson’s bill to increase property tax relief for Vets earns Senate approval
AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, the Maine Senate unanimously approved a bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, that would increase property tax relief for Maine veterans. LD 576, “An Act To Increase Property Tax Relief for Veterans” increases the exemption amount from $6,000 to $10,000 for eligible Maine veterans. “This past weekend, Mainers all across the state paid […]
Despite attacks from Big Pharma, LDs 1117 and 675 move to the Senate
Big Pharma doesn’t hire just one lobbyist, they hire all the lobbyists. They hire all the law firms. This is their go-to move. These large drug companies want us to be afraid so they can keep making money off the backs of Mainers. Maine people don’t have anywhere left to turn. At the public hearing, we heard deeply personal stories about what happens when Maine people can’t afford their medication. People’s lives are at stake. If we can’t as a Legislature go forward and do something to help constituents, then I don’t know why we’re here.
Jackson child care bill earns bipartisan support in committee
AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee overwhelmingly approved a bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash to expand access to quality, affordable child care in Maine with bipartisan support on Wednesday. The vote was 9-1, with three committee members absent. LD 1712, An Act To Support Children’s Healthy Development and School Success would expand […]