Category: Jobs

Jackson bill to save Caribou, Machias Veterans’ Homes clears committee

There is no question that the Maine Veterans’ Homes provide first-rate care to the residents who call these facilities home. It’s a testament to the extraordinary staff dedicated to serving our servicemen and women in need of long-term care. However, there seems to be a debate about whether it’s worth it to provide this care in rural Maine. Let me be clear — when the Maine Legislature established the Maine Veterans’ Homes, we made a commitment to veterans across this state — a commitment that I intend to keep. We cannot and will not turn our backs on the brave men and women who have served our country and now find themselves in need of quality, compassionate long-term care. This legislation will ensure that the closure of these homes remains the option of last resort.

Committee approves Jackson bill to help farmers amid extreme weather conditions

Farming is a critical part of our state’s character and economy. It’s a core part of who we are and our storied history in Aroostook County. But in recent years, extreme weather conditions, like drought, have hit Maine farmers pretty hard, causing devastating losses that threaten the entire industry. This bill is about making sure that our state is taking steps to protect and preserve our heritage industries that have powered rural communities for generations by establishing grants to improve access to irrigation.

County residents, family members and veterans organizations testify in support of bill to save the Caribou Veterans’ Home

AUGUSTA – A bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, intended to prevent the Maine Veterans’ Homes in Caribou and Machias from closing, received a public hearing before the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee on Wednesday. Aroostook County residents, families, veterans advocacy organizations and health care professionals overwhelmingly testified in support of the measure. […]

Jackson bill to save Caribou Veterans’ Home scheduled for public hearing

To me, this is about making good on our commitment to the brave men and women who served our country and their spouses. Our veterans in need of long-term care should be able to get the high-quality care they deserve near their loved ones and community. I hope people will join me in testifying to keep the Maine Veterans’ Homes open in Caribou and Machias. Our veterans and their families were there for our state and country when we needed them. Now it’s our turn to repay this debt.

President Jackson testifies in favor of County residents nominated to Loring Development Authority

AUGUSTA – Senate President Troy Jackon, D-Allagash, testified in support of two Aroostook County residents nominated to serve on the Loring Development Authority during a confirmation hearing before the Legislature’s Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business on Tuesday. The committee unanimously approved the nomination of Grace O’Neal of Limestone and  Joseph M. Sleeper, […]

Jackson introduces bill to expand internet access in Caribou

For years, homeowners and businesses living in what’s known as the ‘last mile’ have struggled to access reliable, high-speed internet at a reasonable rate. It’s why I’m proud to sponsor LD 1949 and partner with community leaders to help close the internet gap in Caribou.

Pres. Jackson introduces bill to improve access legal counsel in rural Maine

AUGUSTA—Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, introduced legislation to expand access to justice and legal representation in rural Maine at a public hearing before the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on Wednesday. LD 1924, “An Act To Expand Access to Justice in Rural Maine through Legal Education” would authorize the University of Maine School of […]

Pres. Jackson testifies in favor of legislation to support lobster harvesters challenging unfair federal regulations

Many Mainers have been helping their families haul traps since they were able to walk and hold a rope. But the economic impact of Maine’s $1.4 billion lobster industry extends beyond those who earn a living hauling traps. The hard work of our lobstering community has created a demand that brings business to restaurants, grocers, truckers, storage facilities, and more. This won’t solve all the issues facing the lobstering community, but it will help ensure that lobster harvesters have a voice in future discussions, and make sure that their voice cannot be ignored.

Jackson, Evans introduce bill to strengthen job growth in Maine’s forestry industry

For generations, families like mine have worked hard to make a good living in the Maine woods. However, the forest products industry has changed dramatically since my father, grandfather and great-grandfather first went to work in the woods. One of the key issues is that we’ve gone from a system where training workers was a part of the job to a system where training workers is simply not practical for existing contractors who are barely scraping by. LD 1919 is a simple but effective way to create jobs and provide training to Maine workers in the forest products industry. As amended, I believe it can help give Maine workers a competitive edge for critical jobs in the forest products industry.