Newsletter

These are my regular email updates. They are usually sent out once a week while the legislature is in session, and once every two weeks when the legislature is adjourned.

End of the First Regular Session – District 8 Legislative Update

This week marked the end of the First Regular Session of the Senate. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and comments through the year. Community EventOn Monday, July 8th, I attended and spoke at a LearningWorks press conference announcing that their Youth Building Alternatives (YBA) Program had been awarded nearly $1 million from the...

Budget Veto Override – District 8 Legislative Update

This week, I’ll discuss some of our votes late in the session, including the biennial budget and the Seed Capital Tax Credit.   LearningWorks YBA Graduation Friday morning, I had the honor of speaking at LearningWorks’ Youth Building Alternatives graduation ceremony. Twenty students took classes over nine months to earn their GED and participate in...

Vetoes and Obstruction – District 8 Legislative Update

This week, the First Regular Session of the 126th Legislature reached its statutory adjournment. We will come back this month for at least one day of veto override votes, but the vast majority of our work for the year is done. Governor Vetoes Omnibus Energy Bill Late Wednesday night, the Governor waited until the last...

We Have a Budget – District 8 Legislative Update

This week, I’ll provide an update on the omnibus energy bill and discuss the Appropriation Committee’s bipartisan budget proposal. Community Event – Old Port Fest This Sunday, June 9th, Portland will host the 40th Annual Old Port Fest, a fantastic event that brings thousands of people to downtown Portland. There will be a kick-off parade starting at...

Healthcare and Hospitals: Next Steps – District 8 Legislative Update

Last week, I delivered the Democratic Radio Address, had two bills come out of committee, and started the next steps to cover 70,000 Mainers and pay back our hospitals. Community Event On Monday, I was proud to walk in the Portland Memorial Day Parade. It was particularly special for me because I was able to...

Expanding Healthcare and Paying our Debts – District 8 Legislative Update

This was a big week in Augusta — our committees wrapped-up their work for the session, and the Legislature passed a historic bill to make the final payment on our hospital debt and provide healthcare to 70,000 of our neighbors. Community Event Last Friday, I had the pleasure of joining Portland Public School Superintendent Emmanuel...