SENATE OVERRIDES LEPAGE VETO FOR EIGHTH TIME

Measure aimed at keeping qualified teachers in the classroom, especially rural Maine

AUGUSTA – Today, the Senate voted 29-5 to override Governor LePage’s veto of a bill to increase the number of qualified teachers in Maine.

“This is an important step to help all districts but especially those in rural Maine attract and retain high quality teachers for their students,” said Democratic Senator Rebecca Millett of Cape Elizabeth, the Senate Chair of the Education Committee. “We all know how important great teachers are to our children’s love of learning, and we should be doing everything we can to keep great teachers in the classroom.”

The measure allows teachers and education technicians to return to teaching one year after retirement for full pay for five years, and 75 percent compensation for five more years.

“This bill is about ensuring kids have access to good teachers,” said Democratic Senator Dawn Hill of York, the Senate Chair of the Appropriations Committee, which unanimously recommended the bill. “It is a good step to give school districts the flexibility to have experienced teachers and educators with specialized knowledge come back into the classrooms.”

This is the eighth veto of Governor LePage’s that the Senate has overridden. In February, the Legislature overrode Governor LePage’s veto of a bill sponsored by Senate President Justin Alfond of Portland to feed hungry students during summer vacation, and in January, overrode Governor LePage’s veto of a bill to help people quit smoking.

Last year, the Legislature overrode Governor LePage’s veto of the state’s two-year budget, as well as vetoes of a comprehensive omnibus energy bill, a measure sponsored by Senator Cain to provide funding to the STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) Council of Maine, a bill adjusting fees for county registries of deeds, and a bill to require warrants for cell phone tracking.

Yesterday, the House overrode Governor LePage’s veto of LD 39, “An Act to Expand the Number of Qualified Educators,” in a 133-5 vote. The bill will now become law.