Amazingly, it’s February! Things in Augusta are incredibly busy and tense.  The final committee recommendations (from Education and Health and Human Services) have been given to the Appropriations Committee. They now will deliberate for 4-6 weeks on the final budget details. Also, I just introduced an emergency bill, An Act to Improve Dental Insurance Coverage for Maine Children.

Filing Taxes
It’s that time of year, and it’s easier then ever to file online. Filing online is free, and if you need help preparing your taxes, you can dial 2-1-1 for in-person help.

Community Update
This past weekend, I went to the Stroudwater Village Association’s pancake breakfast. It was terrific to reconnect with so many SVA members around local issues (sidewalk removal, airport expansion) and state issues (paid sick days, budget). The pancakes were awesome, too.

I also attended the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization meeting at the Root Cellar. I watched the amazing Club Umucho, a group of Portland High School students who dance to traditional African songs. Additionally, the MNHO talked about the Clyck program, and fuel and weatherization assistance.

Finally, on Sunday, I joined over 150 other Portland Democrats at the annual caucus. Candidates for Governor and representatives of their respective campaigns spoke about their visions for the state. The group also elected delegates to the 2010 Democratic State Convention. It was a great event, and excitement was in the air for the upcoming election.

Dr. Morse Meeting
On January 27th, I attended Superintendent Morse’s community meeting at Deering High School about the pending $5-7 million State budget cuts to Portland Schools. Over 100 people attended as Superintendent Morse shared his concerns regarding the effect the cuts would have on our system and explained the process of how the school budget will be crafted, followed with questions from community members. Most people expressed their frustration about the massive pending cuts and how the community must have frank conversations about how we will financially support our schools. I spoke about how the Portland delegation is working to minimize the cuts, but that our community must prepare for tough decisions ahead. Please contact Governor Baldacci and Appropriations Committee members to share why you think the cuts are too drastic!

Alert: the 2010-11 budget was released, and Portland Schools will lose $4.3 million in General Purpose Aid and probably close to another $2 million in cuts of Federal and Medicaid funding.

Dissecting the Supplemental Budget: Other Proposals
Most people in Maine are aware that we are faced with a $438 million shortfall in revenue. Governor Baldacci submitted a supplemental budget in December that cuts heavily from Education and Health and Human Services, and forces additional efficiencies in state government, but does not raise any additional revenue.

Too often, the public is left out of these important decisions. Last week, I discussed in detail the proposed cuts to Health and Human Services. This week, I’ll discuss the remainder of the Governor’s proposals.

Closing
The decisions in Augusta are getting extremely tough! Please write, call and email me with what the cuts will mean to you and your families. Your stories will help me make a better case to my colleagues to soften the blow to Portland and the State.

-Justin