Democratic-led Legislature will strengthen Maine's economy, grow middle class


In the news

HISTORIC HEALTH CARE AND HOSPITAL MEASURE PASSED BY MAINE SENATE

Bill could be on governor’s desk today   AUGUSTA—Today in a 20-15 party line vote, the Senate gave final approval to a historic measure to accept federal funds to expand healthcare coverage for nearly 70,000 Mainers, and repay Maine’s hospitals.   “Voting for this bill is what we were sent here to do,” said Majority...

GOV GIVES NOTICE: I’M MOVING OUT

LePage is moving office out of the State House on July 1st AUGUSTA—After an early morning meeting with Legislative leadership, Governor Paul LePage announced he would be moving his office space out of the State House by July 1, 2013. “In government and in life, there are rules that need to be followed. It is disappointing and...

STATE SENATE ENACTS WORKFORCE BILL

Maine’s first-of-its-kind skills gap solution moves closer to law   AUGUSTA—The Maine Senate enacted a first-of-its-kind measure addressing the skills gap and workforce training.   “There is no better example of what can happen when we work together for the betterment of this state,” said Senate President Justin Alfond of Portland who is also the...

MAINE SENATE GIVES INITIAL APPROVAL TO SEND EARLY VOTING TO THE PEOPLE

Measure encourages greater voter participation AUGUSTA—This morning, the Maine Senate voted 24-11, largely along party lines, to allow the people of Maine to vote on expanding early voting. “We should all be in support of any action that allows people greater access to vote,” said Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall, D-Richmond. “But, even if you...

SENATE PASSES HISTORIC MEASURE TO EXPAND HEALTHCARE COVERAGE AND REPAY HOSPITALS

Dems say the plan saves lives and saves money   AUGUSTA—Today in a 20-15 vote, the Senate passed an historic measure to repay Maine’s hospital debt and accept federal funds to expand healthcare coverage for nearly 70,000 Mainers. “The time for delaying and denying healthcare to thousands of Maine people has passed. The time for...

DEMOCRATS SLAM GOVERNOR’S INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

Dems refuse to let LePage hijack hearing AUGUSTA—After Governor Paul LePage interrupted an Appropriations Committee hearing to lecture lawmakers, Democrats said he was an embarrassment to the state. “The Governor has no clue what he is doing, other than to cause conflict, which he does well and seems to thrive on,” said Assistant Majority Leader...

GOVERNOR’S 11th HOUR “CRISIS” DEBUNKED

Dems: “We are here to solve problems, not create a crisis” AUGUSTA—During a two hour meeting on Sunday with the state’s budget-writing committee, Governor Paul LePage’s claims of an eleventh-hour crisis in the Department of Health and Human Services were debunked by representatives of his own Administration. The emergency meeting was held in response to letters LePage...

Measure to Expand Early Education in Maine Receives Robust Support

Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall promotes universal voluntary Pre-K in schools across Maine AUGUSTA– A bill to expand early childhood education to every school district in Maine was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall (D-Richmond) earlier today in front of the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. “Early childhood education is one of those...

FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND WORKFORCE BILL GAINS INITIAL APPROVAL FROM MAINE SENATE

AUGUSTA—The Senate gave initial approval to Maine’s first-of-its-kind workforce measure addressing the skills gap and workforce training. LD 90, ”An Act To Strengthen Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future,” is an omnibus piece of legislation that renews the partnership between government, education, workers, and businesses, and addresses the specific factors contributing to the skills gap.   “By passing this...

SENATE REPUBLICANS RUBBER STAMP GOVERNOR’S VETO

Republicans flip flop on their own AUGUSTA – A majority of Senate Republicans failed to override Governor LePage’s veto of LD 521, a Republican sponsored measured aimed at improving the central school budgeting process for alternative organizational structures (AOS). The bill received unanimous bipartisan support in the Education Committee, and was passed unanimously in both...

MEASURE TO STRENGTHEN MAINE LAWS ON MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT RECEIVES UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM COMMITTEE

Bill sponsored by Senator Valentino directs Adjutant General to conduct an assessment of the Maine Code of Military Justice AUGUSTA-This morning, the state’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee unanimously approved a measure sponsored by Senator Linda Valentino (D-Saco) to address military sexual assault.   “No matter where it occurs, sexual assault must not be tolerated,”...

ECONOMIC LEADERS APPLAUD FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND WORKFORCE BILL

“Hats off” to Maine’s Workforce Committee for bipartisan collaboration   AUGUSTA—Business, education, and labor leaders gathered today to celebrate with lawmakers a first-of-its-kind measure addressing the skills gap and workforce training.   “This measure is good for Maine’s economy and businesses,” said Dana Connors, the President of the Maine State Chamber.  “This effort is so...