Laws championed by Sen. Rafferty take effect
AUGUSTA — A series of non-emergency laws sponsored and championed by Sen. Joe Rafferty, D-Kennebunk, that support Maine children, seniors, families and small businesses, took effect on Monday, Oct. 18. Highlights include new laws to invest in competitive workforce training programs, improve communication between school boards and their communities and provide property tax relief.
“I am proud of the work we did on behalf of the people of Maine during my first legislative session,” said Sen. Rafferty. “Our classrooms, seniors, veterans, property taxpayers and young Mainers looking to live and work in Maine are all poised to be in a better position than they were a year ago because of some of the great laws we passed. While we still have a lot of work left to do, Mainers can be glad to know that their legislators put the well-being of our state above all else in Augusta this year. I am excited to see all we can accomplish in the upcoming session.”
As Chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, Sen. Rafferty spent much of this session working to pass new laws that improve classrooms for students and teachers alike. Sen. Rafferty sponsored legislation to require school boards to regularly communicate with school employees and residents of the district they serve. He also co-sponsored legislation that aims to increase student attendance rates. Another measure sponsored by Sen. Rafferty bolsters existing pathways for young Mainers to live and work in Maine through good-paying apprenticeships.
Other laws championed by Sen. Rafferty this year included proposals to help seniors remain in their homes as well as proposals to provide property tax relief for our veterans.
As a former educator at Kennebunk High School, Sen. Rafferty saw firsthand how cuts to public education funding forced municipalities to either make devastating cuts or shift costs onto property taxpayers. That’s why 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 it 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.
