District 8 Legislative Update - April 12th, 2009
April 12, 2009 -
Happy Passover and belated Easter!
Things in Augusta are full steam ahead! I am starting a new twist: from now on, I will report the most popular issues that you contacted me about during the previous week. Check out the box below.
Last Week's Top Issues
1) LD 178, an animal welfare bill that funds a program called Help Fix ME;
2) LD 725, a student privacy bill;
3) LD 1027, a bill promoting life skills and wise consumer choices.
Thank you for your interest, and keep it coming!
Tax Reform Forum Tuesday Night
Tax reform is one of the biggest issues facing the Legislature and the State of Maine today. The Taxation Committee and others have drafted a plan that would lower the State's income tax and broaden the sales tax. To further explain the tax reform package, the Portland Delegation is welcoming House Majority Leader John Piotti at a forum on Tuesday, April 14th at 7:15pm. It's at the Presumpscot School Gym, 69 Presumpscot St. I hope to see you there!
Click
here to read more about tax reform.
Health Care Reform
Another big issue facing the state is health care reform. Not only are we dealing with under-funded hospitals and uninsured Mainers, but we also have to address DirigoChoice and Mainecare. In fact, 19 bills have been printed in the past month relating to health care or health insurance.
Some folks are advocating for a non-profit, government-run health insurance program to ensure universal coverage and, ideally, lowered costs. Others say we should loosen regulations to encourage more private health insurance companies to do business in Maine, thereby creating competition and effectively lowering premiums. What do you think we should do to tackle health care in Maine? Do you have a story relating to health care in Maine you'd like to share? I'd love to hear what you have to say, so send me an email at Justin@JustinAlfond.com.
LD 245 and My First Floor Debate
Do you remember the first time you had to speak in front of a group, all eyes upon you? Last Wednesday, April 8th, I had my first Senate floor debate about a bill that made headlines back in early January.
Click here to find out what happens.
Budget Update
One of a legislator's biggest priorities is to analyze, tweak, and vote on the State's Biennial Budget. So much of the work I do in the Legislature is on the budget, with a particular focus on Education. As Senate Chair of the Education Committee, and with Education being one of the biggest chunks of state spending, I had my work cut out for me.
The seventeen Joint Standing Committeeshave wrapped up their budget recommendations and now the state budget is in the hands of the Appropriations Committee. The budget was originally scheduled to be voted on in late April and needs 2/3s votes in both the House and Senate.
Because of the economy, however, Republican Leadership and those on the Appropriations Committee are not allowing the budget votes to happen as previously scheduled. State revenue forecasts are set to be released on May 1st, and the predictions are grim. It appears that the State Budget deficit for the next two years will grow another $350-500 million, on top of the $825 million that we have already cut. This means every Joint Standing Committee will have to go back to their policy budgets and reopen every single discussion to find every penny of possible savings. Inevitably, this means even more cuts to essential services, programs, and jobs.
By telling you this, I don't mean to put you in a panic. To me, this type of inside Augusta baseball is not shared enough, and I want everyone to be informed on what's happening with our state. Secondly, the longer the budget goes without a vote, the longer critical health care payments from the stimulus package are delayed, education payments from the stimulus package are not employed, and crucial investments in our state stay dormant.
Click here to read
more about the budget.
Closing
This should be a busy week in Augusta. It is our last week before the legislature takes an April vacation week from the 20th-25th. See you around town!
Thanks,
-Justin
