ERA earns two-thirds support in Maine Senate
AUGUSTA — A Maine Equal Rights Amendment, which would codify in the state’s Constitution equal protection under the law regardless of gender, received support from two-thirds of the Maine Senate in a vote on Thursday. LD 433, “RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Explicitly Prohibit Discrimination Based on the Sex of […]
HHS committee endorses Jackson rural hospital bill
SEN. TROY JACKSON, D-ALLAGASH. AUGUSTA—The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee endorsed a bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to support rural hospitals on Friday. The vote was unanimous of the members present. “It’s simple – all Mainers deserve access to health care no matter where they live,” said President Jackson. “This bill ensures […]
Committee approves Jackson bill to allow loggers, haulers the right to form cooperative in party-line vote
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Committee on Labor and Housing approved a bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, that would allow loggers and wood haulers the right to form cooperatives, in a party-line vote on Friday. The bill – LD 1459, “An Act To Expand Application of the Maine Agricultural Marketing and Bargaining Act of 1973 […]
Committee holds final day of hearings on Senate Democrats’ prescription drug reform package
AUGUSTA—On Wednesday, the Legislature’s Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services held the second day of public hearings on the Senate Democrats’ prescription drug reform package. The Committee heard testimony on three bills from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to allow for the importation of safe, affordable prescription drugs from Canada and to create […]
Committee begins public hearings on Senate Democrats’ prescription drug reform package
AUGUSTA—On Tuesday, the Legislature’s Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services held the first day of public hearings on the Senate Democrats prescription drug reform package. The Committee heard testimony on Legislation from Sen. Heather Sanborn, D-Portland, to regulate pharmacy benefit managers and from Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic to increase drug price […]
Jackson introduces bill to protect Mainers from junk insurance plans
AUGUSTA – Legislation from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to limit short-term “junk insurance” plans received a public hearing before the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee on Thursday. LD 815, “An Act To Regulate the Issuance of Short-term, Limited-duration Health Insurance Policies” would limit the duration of short term plans to three months […]
Jackson, Diamond release statement regarding the death of Det. Ben Campbell
AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, Detective Ben Campbell of Millinocket was killed in the line of duty in a crash on Interstate 95 in Hampden. According to the Maine State Police, Det. Campbell was struck by a tire that came off a logging truck while assisting another vehicle. Det. Campbell leaves behind a wife and 6-month […]
Jackson, Maine Senate Democrats roll out ambitious prescription drug reform proposal
LEGISLATION WOULD MAKE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS MORE AFFORDABLE, MORE ACCESSIBLE AND HOLD BOTH DRUGMAKERS AND MIDDLEMEN ACCOUNTABLE SENATE PRESIDENT TROY JACKSON SPEAKS ABOUT DEMOCRATS’ PRESCRIPTION DRUG REFORM PROPOSAL. AUGUSTA—On Tuesday, Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, and Sen. Heather Sanborn, D-Portland, stood alongside fellow lawmakers, Maine seniors and health care […]
President Jackson, Democratic leaders release statement on Gov. Mills’ budget proposal
AUGUSTA – Governor Janet Mills submitted her first biennial budget to the State Legislature. An overview of the budget can be found here. She is scheduled to deliver her State of the Budget address next Monday, Feb. 11 at 7:00 p.m. Members of Democratic Leadership released the following statements: Senate President Troy Jackson: “Budgets are about […]
Jackson testifies in support of Chenette campaign ethics bill
AUGUSTA — Sen. Justin Chenette, D-Saco, has introduced two bills to reform campaign finance laws and limit lobbyists’ influence on state politics. LD 54, An Act to Limit the Influence of Lobbyists by Expanding the Prohibition on Accepting Political Contributions,” and LD 76, “An Act to Strengthen the Integrity of the Legislature by Expanding the Waiting Period before […]