Jackson child care bill becomes law
As it stands, Maine’s child care system isn’t working well for anyone. Maine parents cannot find child care providers with open slots in their communities or near their work. Maine child care providers are barely scraping by despite high demand, and many are closing their doors. It’s time to build a child care system that actually works for Maine kids, parents, providers and employers.
Bill to create forest advisory board heads to governor’s desk
The creation of the Maine Forest Advisory Board is about making sure the hardworking people in the logging industry have a voice in state-level forestry decisions that impact their lives. As a state, Maine faces complex problems in our forests, including climate change, drought, fire, insects, and wildlife and habitat management. The way we solve complicated problems in Aroostook County is by getting everyone around the same table working together to come up with commonsense solutions, or at the very least, the best path forward. The same commonsense approach should work statewide as we work to protect and preserve jobs, recreational opportunities and natural resources in the Maine woods. I’m incredibly grateful to Rep. Maggie O’Neil for bringing this bill forward and look forward to it becoming law.
Jackson child care bill heads to governor’s desk
The child care system in Maine isn’t working for kids, families, providers or businesses. Too many families can’t find quality, affordable child care in their area and too many providers can barely afford to keep their doors open. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made things worse. At the same time, there are already extraordinary providers and organizations doing this vital work in communities all across the state. LD 1712 recognizes this good work by investing in providers and organizations to help them open up child care slots, invest in providers, support parents and improve quality. By sending this bill to the governor’s desk, we can begin to end child care deserts in Maine.
Jackson’s Buy American, Build Maine Act heads to governor’s desk
With Independence Day this weekend, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the founding of this country than to make the Buy American, Build Maine Act law. I’m hopeful the governor will sign it.
Legislature sends compromise offshore wind bill to governor’s desk
For generations, Maine lobstermen have proven to be great stewards of our environment — their livelihood depends on the longevity of our working waterfronts. As we embrace renewable energy and new economic opportunities, I’ve always believed that we could find a middle ground that works for both our hardworking fishermen and our energy goals. I’m grateful to the fishing industry for coming to the table and working in good faith to find a commonsense solution.
Legislature sends strong bipartisan budget to the governor’s desk
Today, the Maine Legislature sent a strong, bipartisan budget to the governor’s desk that makes good on long-standing promises and obligations to the people of the state of Maine. It funds 55 percent of education funding for the first time since voters mandated it more than a decade ago, it prioritizes property tax relief for Maine families and seniors so they can afford to stay in their homes and in our communities, and returns $150 million to more than 500,000 extraordinary workers who showed up time and time again throughout the pandemic. After a year of uncertainty and hardship, this is the type of budget Maine families, communities and small businesses deserve. I’m so grateful to my colleagues on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee for putting aside partisanship and making this happen.
Jackson bill to protect Maine trucking jobs becomes law
AUGUSTA — A bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to protect Maine trucking jobs became law without the governor’s signature Friday, June 18. LD 188, “An Act Regarding the Transportation of Products in the Forest Products Industry” would fine large landowners and the offending motor carrier for failing to follow federal cabotage. “All Maine workers are asking for is […]
Pres. Jackson commits to appointing forester to Maine Forest Advisory Board
As a state, Maine faces complex challenges in our forests, including climate change, drought, fire, insects, and wildlife and habitat management. The way we solve complicated problems in Aroostook County is by getting everyone around the same table and working together to come up with commonsense solutions, or at the very least, the best path forward. The same commonsense approach should work statewide as we work to protect and preserve jobs, recreational opportunities and natural resources in the Maine woods.
Jackson bill to safeguard the rights of workers earns initial approval
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the way our current laws fail Maine workers from seeking justice in the face of human rights or labor violations in the workplace. Part of the problem is that workers often unknowingly sign their rights to legal recourse away at the start of a new job. The other challenge is that the Attorney General and Department of Labor lack the resources to take up legitimate cases. As a state, we can and must do better. Mainers deserve justice. If the state is unable to take the case, workers deserve somewhere else to turn. These bills would allow folks to access the resources they need in the wake of injustice.
Pres. Jackson’s HOMED Act becomes law
AUGUSTA — A bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, that looks to reduce student debt and help young Mainers compete in a tough housing market was signed into law by Governor Janet T. Mills on Tuesday. LD 1709, “An Act To Promote Home Ownership by Minimizing Education Debt,” otherwise known as the HOMED Act, […]