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In the news
STATEMENT FROM SENATE PRESIDENT ALFOND ON FAILURE TO OVERRIDE VETO FOR HEALTH CARE EXPANSIONAUGUSTA—Senate President Justin Alfond of Portland released the following statement on the failure to override the Governor’s veto to expand health care to nearly 70,000 Maine people. “For months lawmakers have worked on a bipartisan plan to accept the federal government’s offer to expand health care to nearly 70,000 Maine people, at no cost...
SENATE ENDORSES VOLUNTARY BACKGROUND CHECKSAUGUSTA—The Maine Senate voted 18-17 to support voluntary background checks for sellers who transfer ownership of a firearm in a private sale, that account for an estimated 40 percent of gun sales in Maine. “This is a common-sense measure that helps keep guns out of the hands of those who should not have them,’ said...
SENATE REPLACES ‘SCARLET LETTER’ SCHOOL GRADES WITH FAIR EVALUATION SYSTEMSystem will involve stakeholders, and won’t be based on test scores AUGUSTA—Earlier today in a 21-14 vote, the Senate approved a fair system to evaluate Maine schools intended to replace the flawed school grading system implemented by the LePage administration last month. “Maine children deserve the best education, just as Maine deserves an accurate...
SENATE VOTES TO PROTECT PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDINGMeasure requires direct funding of charter schools AUGUSTA—Early today the Senate voted 21-14 to prevent charter schools from siphoning taxpayer funds from public schools. “The funding of our charter schools is flawed. This measure addresses one of the biggest weaknesses by putting forth a fair funding model,” said Senate President Justin Alfond of Portland. “This...
SENATE REJECTS OPTIONAL BACKGROUND CHECKSAUGUSTA—In a vote of 16 -19, the Maine Senate failed to support voluntary background checks for sellers who transfer ownership of a firearm in a private sale, which account for an estimated 40 percent of gun sales. “Let’s stop trying protect people who can’t pass background checks,” said Senator Stan Gerzofsky of Brunswick, the chair...
MAINE SENATE FIXES GOP RATE HIKE LAWMeasures prevent insurance companies from discriminating against rural Mainers, raising rates without review AUGUSTA- Earlier today, the Senate voted in favor of two bills to correct unfair health insurance rates under PL 90, the rate-hike law, passed by the Republican-led legislature in 2012. One bill would prevent health insurance companies from charging increased rates to...
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS SAY CLOCK IS TICKING ON HEALTH CARE EXPANSION BILLLePage holds up 4,500 jobs, health care for nearly 70,000 AUGUSTA—Top Democratic leaders on Monday said new reports of job loss in Maine underscore the need for Governor Paul LePage to sign a bill to accept federal health care dollars to cover tens of thousands of Mainers. The measure is expected to save and create 4,500 jobs,...
SENATOR HASKELL’S LOON PROTECTION BILL APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURESENATOR HASKELL’S LOON PROTECTION BILL APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE Measure severely limits the use of lead in fishing gear AUGUSTA – Today the Senate enacted a measure to protect loons and other wildlife from lead poisoning. “Loons are a Maine treasure; we love to hear them calling at night on our lakes and ponds,” Senator...
Senate Expands Access to Lower-Cost Prescription DrugsMeasure allows use of CanaRX AUGUSTA–Today in a 30-4 vote the Senate enacted a measure allowing Maine residents to obtain cheaper prescription drugs through an equivalent to Canada’s mail order prescription program known as CanaRX. “People need to be able to access life-saving drugs at a reasonable price,” said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Troy Jackson,...
SENATE UNANIMOUSLY BACKS FINAL PAYMENT TO MAINE’S HOSPITALSMeasure is Legislature’s second attempt to repay hospitals AUGUSTA — The Senate voted unanimously in a vote of 35-0 to approve a measure that makes the state’s final payment on Maine’s hospital debt and renegotiates the state’s liquor contract. “We have done our job today and paid our bills. Now we must continue...
SENATE ENACTS HEALTH CARE EXPANSIONLegislature puts politics aside to “do what’s right” for Maine people AUGUSTA—The Maine Senate voted 23-12 to accept federal health care funds to expand healthcare coverage to nearly 70,000 low-income and working Mainers. “This bill not only addresses the challenges for individuals, it addresses the fiscal challenges that face our state,” said Senate Majority...
LEGISLATURE ENACTS TWO YEAR STATE BUDGETResponsible bipartisan budget heads to Governor for signature AUGUSTA—Earlier today, the Maine Senate took the final vote in favor of a responsible bipartisan state budget with a vote of 25-10. “This is not a perfect budget. But it is a budget that reflects the spirit of compromise and getting things done for the people of...
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