DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ENCOURAGE VOLK TO APPEAL BILL

Leaders support merits of bill and say Volk is making a “good case”

AUGUSTA – Today, Senate Democratic leaders released the following statements in response to Rep. Amy Volk’s scheduled press conference on her bill proposal to assist survivors of sex trafficking.

“I certainly support the merits of this bill to help victims rebuild their lives. Since our initial vote, Rep. Volk has made a very strong case for the sense of urgency and need for this bill,” said Senate President Justin Alfond of Portland. “The Legislature has a process for approving, denying, and appealing bills, and Rep. Volk is doing exactly what she should be doing by making the best case she can.”

The Legislative Council met last month for more than four hours and reviewed 401 proposed bills. The Council approved about 25% of the bill requests during this first round of review. Rep. Volk’s bill did not make it through the first round; however, the legislative panel will be meeting again on November 21st to hear appeals from legislators, including Rep. Volk, whose bills were not initially approved.

Other bills not initially approved include a measure sponsored by Democratic Senator David Dutremble of Biddeford to provide property tax relief to senior citizens, and a measure sponsored by DemocraticRepresentative Jane Pringle of Windham to restore funding to HIV prevention programs.

“Like Rep. Volk’s bill, there were many good bills that were not allowed to move forward in the first round but fortunately there is an appeal process. Legislators will have the opportunity to argue the merits and urgency of their bills later this month,” said Senate Majority Troy Jackson of Allagash.

Earlier this year, the legislature passed a law presented by Representative Mark Dion (D-Portland) adding sex trafficking to the definition of human trafficking. However, the Polaris Project, an anti-slavery organization, ranked Maine in the bottom half of states for its efforts to address human trafficking, including sex trafficking, citing lack of Safe Haven programs for children in the sex trade, and a lack of training for law enforcement.

“Sex trafficking is a horrendous crime and we want to do everything we can to help survivors rebuild their lives,” said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Anne Haskell of Portland. “I’m glad Rep. Volk will be appealing the Legislative Council’s decision, and I appreciate that she has now reached out to me regarding our shared interest in this bill.”

For the second regular session of the legislature, bills that go before the entire Legislature must first be approved by the Legislative Council, a committee comprised of the ten legislative leaders.

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