Sens. Chipman and Dion earn perfect scores from Maine AFL-CIO on voting records for working families

Sen. Ben Chipman and Sen. Mark Dion, both D-Portland, have received 100 percent ratings on the Maine AFL-CIO’s legislative scorecard for their support of working families during the second session of the 128th Legislature.

“Portlanders understand that if you work hard, you should be able to provide for your family and get ahead in life,” said Sen Chipman. “I’m glad we made progress towards that goal this year.”

The senators are two of ten Democratic State Senators to receive a perfect score from the group. Founded in 1956, the Maine AFL-CIO represents four active labor councils, more than 160 local labor unions and more than 40,000 workers and retirees here in Maine. The AFL-CIO advocates on behalf of workers from all different professions — teachers, papermakers, truck drivers, nurses, letter carriers, firefighters and more.

Both senators received high marks from the AFL-CIO for their steadfast support of Maine workers, which includes supporting legislation to fund voter-approved Medicaid expansion, voting to fix Maine’s flawed unemployment system and fighting to ensure Mainers get the overtime pay they deserve. They also opposed multiple efforts to roll back the voter-approved minimum wage increase, which would have resulted in a serious pay cut for thousands of working Mainers.

“Standing up for working people is simply the right thing to do,” said Sen. Dion. “I’m proud that my voting record shows I’ve done that.”

Sen. Chipman and Sen. Dion are both serving in their first terms in the Maine Senate. Sen. Chipman represents part of Portland. Sen. Dion represents parts of Westbrook and Portland.