SENATE REPLACES ‘SCARLET LETTER’ SCHOOL GRADES WITH FAIR EVALUATION SYSTEM
System 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 PASSES BILL TO LABEL GMO FOODS
Both Bodies Support “Produced with Genetic Engineering” sticker AUGUSTA— Today, in a bipartisan vote of 31-4, the Senate voted to require genetically modified (GMO) food to be labeled as such when sold. “Everyone has a right to know what is in the food they buy,” said Senator Chris Johnson (D-Somerville), the lead co-sponsor of the...
SENATE BANS FOR PROFIT EDUCATION
Bipartisan Support for Measure requiring all charter schools to be nonprofits AUGUSTA—Today, in a bipartisan vote of 23-12, the Senate enacted a measure requiring all Maine charter schools to operate as non-profits, essentially banning for-profit schools. “Profit-margins should not play a role in educating our students,” said Senator Rebecca Millett (D-Cape Elizabeth), the Senate Chair...
COMMITTEE ENDORSES BILL TO LABEL GMO FOODS
COMMITTEE ENDORSES BILL TO LABEL GMO FOODS Majority Support “Produced with Genetic Engineering” sticker AUGUSTA— Yesterday, a majority of the Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee voted in favor of a bill that will require genetically modified (GMO) food to be labeled as such when sold. “Everyone has a right to know what is in...
MEASURE TO INCREASE LOCAL FOOD USE RECEIVES PUBLIC HEARING
MEASURE TO INCREASE LOCAL FOOD USE RECEIVES PUBLIC HEARING Bill will help schools, others use Maine produced food AUGUSTA— Senator Chris Johnson (D-Somerville) is introducing a bill today that will make it easier for Maine schools to use locally produced foods. “Maine produced foods are healthy and tasty, and using them in our schools helps...
SENATE DEMOCRATS CONDEMN SCHOOL “SCARLET LETTER” GRADES
Grading system is a flawed, biased PR-gimmick AUGUSTA—Senate Democrats condemned the “A” to “F” school grading system announced by Governor Paul LePage and Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen this afternoon. “It is shameful that the governor once again divides our state—this time with another attack on education. This proposal does nothing to help students and instead...
LePage Education Budget Rejected by Democratic Lawmakers
AUGUSTA—Senate Democratic lawmakers released the following comments after the state’s education committee rejected key initiatives of Governor Paul LePage’s $6.3 billion budget, which included a $39 million reduction in school funding over the next two years. “Education is not a partisan issue; we all agree that it is a priority for our state....
A-F GRADING SYSTEM GETS “F” FROM DEMOCRATS
System emblazons ‘Scarlet Letter’ on public schools AUGUSTA – Democrats on the state’s education committee are deeply concerned over the LePage administration’s new school “reform” measure that assigns a letter grade of “A” through “F” to Maine’s public schools. “This is a plan out of left field. Grades like these are shaming and...
SENATE PASSES HISTORIC ALEWIFE BILL
SENATE PASSES HISTORIC ALEWIFE BILL Senator Johnson hails unanimous vote AUGUSTA – This morning the Maine Senate unanimously passed a bill to allow alewives in the St. Croix River for the first time since 1995. “The restoration of alewives to the St, Croix River will benefit people all over Maine. Alewives are critical to Maine’s...
Press Herald: Maine bills aim to boost lobster industry
By Clarke Canfield Read more here PORTLAND — Lawmakers are looking to boost Maine’s troubled lobster industry with proposals that would pump more money into marketing the state’s signature seafood and offer tax breaks to encourage more lobster processing. The moves follow last year’s chaotic fishing season that saw a lobster glut, a crash in wholesale...
Lincoln County News: Local Legislators Hear Town Concerns
By J.W. Oliver Read more here Lincoln County legislators say they are listening to the concerns of local officials and will work against the governor’s proposal to gut municipal revenue sources. Sen. Chris Johnson, D-Somerville; Rep. Mick Devin, D-Newcastle; and Rep. Bruce MacDonald, D-Boothbay, attended a Feb. 15 forum about Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s biennial...
Democratic Weekly Address: Johnson says, Republican tax policies push costs on to our towns and ask taxpayers to foot the bill
Weekly Radio Address: Senator Chris Johnson Good Morning. This is State Senator Chris Johnson of Somerville. When I was growing up my family watched the Wizard of OZ every year. Do you remember the scene in which the curtain is pulled aside revealing the real identity of the wizard, a man with no real wizardry,...
