Laws championed by Sen. Ned Claxton take effect
AUGUSTA — A series of non-emergency laws sponsored and championed by Sen. Ned Claxton, D-Auburn, that support Maine children, seniors, families and small businesses, went into effect Monday, Oct. 18. Highlights include new laws to provide access to lifesaving insulin and property tax relief, expand access to quality child care and ban corporate contributions to political candidates.
“We had much to do when we began the legislative session last winter,” said Sen. Claxton. “Between the public health crisis, the need to support our businesses and workers, and all the other issues facing Mainers before the pandemic even began, we knew we had to get right to work. Looking back now, I’m proud of all we were able to accomplish and how we positioned our state for the future.”
As Chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Health and Human Services, Sen. Claxton spent much of this session working to pass new laws that aim to keep Mainers healthy and safe from harmful chemicals; advocating on behalf of Maine’s most vulnerable population, including seniors and children, and fighting to ensure that Maine’s direct care workers received a pay increase in the biennial budget that was passed by the Legislature. Sen. Claxton also continued his push to lower the costs of prescription medications. This year, he supported laws to increase transparency in drug pricing, to establish an emergency insulin safety net program, and to establish the Office of Affordable Health Care, which will make evidence-based policy recommendations to state lawmakers in order to lower costs.
This year, lawmakers also made good on longstanding commitments to Maine people and municipalities. Lawmakers funded K-12 education at 55 percent for the first time since Maine voters mandated at the ballot box in 2004 and signed off on a plan to fully restore revenue sharing by 2023. Maine lawmakers also voted to send $300 as a “hazard bonus” to eligible Maine workers who worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
All non-emergency laws take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die unless otherwise specified.
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