Committee approves Jackson bill to protect workers’ rights
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee approved a bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to protect the rights of Maine workers to speak out and take action against workplace violations in vote of 7-5 on Wednesday, with one vote outstanding. LD 1711, “An Act To Enhance Enforcement of Employment Laws” expands public enforcement […]
Pres. Jackson introduces legislation to protect workers
AUGUSTA — Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, and Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor, introduced legislation to protect the rights of Mainer workers to speak up and take action against workplace violations at a press conference, followed by a public hearing on Friday. Lawmakers were joined by Destie Hohman Sprague of the Maine Women’s Lobby, Hugh Baran […]
President Jackson introduces the Kids First Plan
All children deserve a chance to live a healthy, happy and productive life. Where a kid lives or how much their parents make shouldn’t ever prevent them from getting ahead. Yet, too many children go to school hungry regularly. How can we expect them to learn on an empty stomach? If parents don’t have a safe place to drop their kids off to learn while they go to work, how can we expect parents to make ends meet for their families? And if child care workers aren’t supported, how can we expect them to stay open? Things were difficult before the COVID-19 pandemic. But there is no question that this crisis has had an outsized influence on our kids. The Kids First plan makes Maine kids a priority as we work to normalcy. We must ask ourselves what does it mean to truly put our kids first — and then, follow through.
Pres. Jackson presents bill to support Twin Rivers Paper Company in Madawaska
AUGUSTA – A bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to create a tax credit to support Twin Rivers Paper Company received a public hearing before the Taxation Committee on Thursday. The amended version of the bill — LD 1713, “An Act To Increase Workforce Skills for the Revitalization of Maine’s Paper Industry through the […]
Jackson bill to protect Maine trucking jobs clears Senate
AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate approved a bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to protect Maine trucking jobs in a vote of 24-9 on Wednesday. LD 188, “An Act Regarding the Transportation of Products in the Forest Products Industry” would fine large trucking companies and landowners for failing to follow federal cabotage laws. “It’s simple. All Maine truckers and loggers are asking […]
Pres. Jackson, Sen. Daughtry introduce the HOMED Act
It’s no secret that Maine is an aging state. It’s why lawmakers talk a lot about how we can attract and retain young families to keep our communities and economy thriving for future generations. However, between the high cost of student debt and the tough housing market all across the state, it’s getting harder for young people who grew up in Maine to come home to work, live and raise their families. LD 1709 aims to bring young Mainers home by getting them HOMED. This could be a game-changer for the next generation of Maine homeowners, giving young people a leg up as they try to compete with out-of-state buyers.
Pres. Jackson introduces bill to promote good-faith negotiations in public sector employee contracts
In Maine, when we make an agreement, we stick to it. The same should be done for negotiations. This bill is about making sure agreements reached through binding arbitration actually mean something for employees and employers. Public sector employees work hard. They deserve to know that whatever comes out of the arbitration process will be fair and honored by both parties.
Buy American, Build Maine clears committee
Buy American Build Maine is a win for the entire state. It puts taxpayer dollars back into the community, keeps our economy humming, and grows our Made-in-Maine brand. It does all of this by supporting the workers and businesses here in this state.
Pres. Jackson releases statement on change package; lauds historic education funding
Maine people have faced a year of unprecedented pain and extraordinary hardship. The pandemic has taken a toll on all of us, but especially our kids. It’s why I’m thrilled that after years of fighting to fund public education and honor the will of Maine voters, the state is finally on track to meet the 55 percent threshold for K-12 public education funding. For me, this about doing right by our kids and their incredible teachers. This historic investment has been 17 years in the making and been approved twice at the ballot box. I’m so proud of my colleagues for never backing down, fighting for our kids and making good on that commitment.
Maine workers, businesses and lawmakers support Buy American, Build Maine
AUGUSTA – Today, Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, introduced Buy American, Build Maine legislation alongside Maine-based businesses at a public hearing before the Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee. LD 1411, “An Act To Establish the Maine Buy American and Build Maine Act” would give preference to Maine-based businesses, workers and American manufacturing when the […]