Sen. Lawrence receives perfect score on education voting record
AUGUSTA — Sen. Mark Lawrence, D-Eliot, earned a 100 percent rating from the Maine Education Association for his voting record on legislation to support students, teachers, and families. Sen. Lawrence is one of 19 state senators to earn a perfect score for their 2022 voting record from MEA.
“The amount of work and pressure that teachers and students have had to endure over the past few years has been unbelievable,” said Sen. Lawrence. “Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic while also overcoming the normal challenges that comes from academics is truly commendable. With this in mind, it is our duty as legislators to help ease the burden on teachers and students, and ensure that our schools stay funded, and that students have access to a great education.”
This year, Sen. Lawrence voted to continue funding free, universal school meals, fully fund education at 55 percent, invest in career and technical education, and provide two years of free community college for Maine high school graduates from the graduating classes of 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. In addition, he supported the creation of an Education Rainy Day Fund to ensure the state is able to continue funding K-12 public education at the 55 percent threshold. Last year marked the first time in the state’s history that the Legislature met the threshold mandated by Maine voters at the ballot box in 2004. This fund will ensure the Legislature fulfills its obligation and will alleviate the burden that often falls on property taxpayers.
Sen. Lawrence also voted in favor of bills to expand family and medical leave protections for hourly school employees and ensure that teachers can take time off for COVID-19 related illness even if they don’t have accrued leave.
MEA represents 24,000 Maine teachers and advocates for policies and investments that ensure that educators’ voices, values and priorities are heard and respected both in the workplace and at the State House.
Sen. Lawrence remains committed to fighting for Maine students, teachers and school staff in the Legislature.
The 2022 Maine legislative scorecard from MEA can be found here.
###
