Legislative Republicans refuse to participate in poll to determine special session
AUGUSTA – On Thursday, a proposal from Senate President Troy Jackson and House Speaker Sara Gideon to reconvene the Legislature for a special session in August was denied by Maine Republican lawmakers after they refused to participate in the poll. This failure to vote comes after months of public statements and press events from Republicans […]
Legislators and Permanent Commission to identify existing bills to combat racial disparities, create Task Force to recommend new legislation
AUGUSTA – Yesterday, Reps. Craig Hickman and Rachel Talbot Ross invited fellow legislators to join them and the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations in an effort to identify existing bills before the 129th Legislature that would make an impact combating racial disparities. The group will make recommendations to […]
Jackson, Gideon announce a series of committee meetings
Lawmakers will focus on issues around unemployment, small businesses, reopening the economy, COVID-19 testing, and long-term care
Jackson, Breen announce budget committee meeting on Friday
“All across the state, Maine people are reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. I know because I’ve spent every day since the Legislature adjourned talking to constituents, small business owners and local officials. With an economic downturn around the corner, Mainers are scared and rightfully so. Fortunately, in the last year, my colleagues and I put together a bipartisan budget that put money aside for savings, growing our Rainy Day Fund to historic levels. While none of us saw this crisis coming, Maine is in a stronger position to weather the storm. This week, the Legislature’s budget committee will roll up their sleeves and begin laying out a way forward.
Pres. Jackson appoints Carpenter to Gov. Mills’ Economic Recovery Commission
AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, appointed Sen. Mike Carpenter, D-Houlton, to serve on an Economic Recovery Committee put together by Gov. Janet T. Mills. “As we look to reopen and rebuild our economy, we need to make sure that small businesses, heritage industries and rural Maine don’t get left behind or […]
Pres. Jackson calls for COVID-19 Task Force
AUGUSTA – Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, has called for Governor Janet T. Mills convene a reopening advisory council made up of lawmakers, business leaders and public health experts. The goal is to get people around the table and come up with a smart, practical and plan to reopen the state. “As Mainers, we solve […]
Pres. Jackson pushes back against threats to federal funding, PPE and testing supplies
AUGUSTA – Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, released the following statement in response to a letter from Legislative Republicans calling for the Legislature to strip Gov. Janet T. Mills of emergency powers, which would jeopardize federal COVID-19 funding, limit the state’s ability to procure testing supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE), and leave essential workers […]
Jackson, Gideon, Legislative Democrats call on Congress to support Small Business Owners in COVID-19 relief packages
AUGUSTA – Earlier today, Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, Speaker Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, joined Legislative Democrats regarding added support from the federal government and small businesses. Please find the letter and brief statement below. Statement from President Jackson: “Maine is a small-business state plain and simple. Practically overnight, small businesses all across the state have […]
Committee approves Jackson’s Buy American, Build Maine legislation
https://youtu.be/xKdmpJvYkuI AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee approved amended “Buy American, Build Maine” legislation from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, on Wednesday. LD 1280, “An Act To Establish the Buy American and Build Maine Act” would promote the state purchasing of American manufactured or assembled products, and hiring of Maine workers and […]
Jackson, Senate Democrats support bill to help veterans transition into civilian life
AUGUSTA – The Maine Senate approved legislation to provide support services for military members transitioning back into civilian life on Thursday. “Maine veterans have served our country with incredible integrity and honor. They should be welcomed and celebrated back into our state, communities, and workforce. However, for many veterans, the transition back into civilian […]