Presiding Officers praise Democratic supplemental budget proposal
AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee approved a supplemental budget that supports Maine workers and small businesses on Thursday. The vote was 8-5. The bill gives Maine businesses and unemployed Mainers a break from paying taxes on relief funds they received during the pandemic. Republicans rejected two compromise proposals on the Paycheck Protection Program […]
Pres. Jackson introduces bill to ban aerial spraying of toxic herbicides in forestry
The use of aerial herbicides in the Maine woods benefits the bottomline of large landowners at the expense and well-being of the people living and working in the region. It’s time we recognize the harm done by the aerial spraying of glyphosate and other synthetic chemicals. It’s time we do the right thing and put an end to this practice.
Maine families, seniors and advocates urge lawmakers to pass the COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights
AUGUSTA – Today, Senate President Troy Jackson of Allagash and House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford presented LD 1, “An Act to Establish the COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights” at a public hearing before the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee. Maine seniors, health care professionals, patients and advocates overwhelmingly testified in favor […]
Pres. Jackson welcomes $150 million investment in LP Houlton
AUGUSTA – Earlier today, Louisiana-Pacific (LP) announced a $150 million investment to convert Houlton’s Oriented Strand Boardline (OSB) to manufacture SmartSide. LP is a Tennessee-based manufacturer of engineered wood building products. This investment is expected to greatly benefit local and sustainably sourced fiber, increasing consumption by 30 percent. In response to this announcement, Senate President […]
Pres. Jackson, Senate Dem Leadership endorse compromise tax conformity measure
Our job isn’t to rubber-stamp everything that Washington, D.C., sends our way. It’s about passing policies and reforms that work for Maine. This proposal is about supporting 99 percent of Maine small businesses across the state, not bailing out major corporate law firms on the backs of Maine people.
Pres. Jackson congratulates Sen. Vitelli and Sen. Daughtry on new leadership roles
Senate President Troy Jackson congratulations newly-elected Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli of Arrowsic
Presiding officers announce closure of legislative offices ahead of nor’easter
All legislative committee meetings have been canceled due to projected power outages, concerns over public access and the inability of essential staff to get to the Maine State House.
Pres. Jackson thanks Sen. Libby for four years of thoughtful leadership
Sen. Libby plans to step down as Senate Majority Leader due to growing family and professional commitments. He will continue representing the City of Lewiston in the Maine Senate and chairing the Government Oversight Committee.
Jackson lauds “Buy American” Executive Order, calls for states to follow suit
AUGUSTA – Senate President Troy Jackson of Allagash released the following statement after President Joe Biden signed a new Executive Order strengthening “Buy American” policies across the federal government: “Throughout this pandemic, American workers and manufacturers have stepped up to serve our state and our country. We owe it to them to have their […]
Pres. Jackson releases statement on the anniversary of Citizens United
AUGUSTA – Today, marks the 11th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which allowed corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money in campaigns through independent expenditures. The decision equates political spending with political speech, which is protected under the First Amendment. This decision fundamentally changed the financing of […]