District 8 Legislative Update - March 23rd, 2009
March 23, 2009 -
Hello everyone! I am excited that Spring has arrived, and I hope you are, too. Here are some updates on my recent activities in the community and the State Senate.
Community Update - USM
Last Friday, March 20th, I had the pleasure of attending a gathering at the University of Southern Maine. USM President Selma Botman and members of USM's School of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (ASET) Advisory Council convened legislators and business leaders to inform us about what USM is doing to support Maine's technology-intensive businesses. We heard from Mark Gardner, president and CEO of Sappi North America (www.sappi.com), and Thomas Zach, president of LANCO Assembly Systems (www.lanco.net).
The USM ASET program is critical to their workforce needs today and even more so in the next decade when 50% of their workers will retire. I want to thank USM, the ASET Advisory Council, and business leaders for making this opportunity available and giving us a glimpse into Maine's economic future.
Laptop Program
OnMarch 11, the Maine Learning Technology Initiativeand the Department of Education announced plansto expand the State's laptop program to high school students. The State negotiated a reduced rate for the laptops with Apple and will be using existing funds dedicated to educational technology. The existing law providing laptops to middle school students was initially intended for high school students as well, and this expansion will make good on that promise.
During the State of the State Address, the Governor mentioned his intentions to have the laptops serve as a resource for the whole family. He called for special software to be installed on the laptops to allow parents and other children instant access to state services and resources. It is an innovative and creative way to reach out to families across the state at a limited cost.
What do you think about the State's proposal to extend our laptop program to high-school students?
Bond Package
Earlier this month, the Governor unveiled his 2010-2011 bond package. The bonds range from $127.8 million for transportation, to $52 million for higher education, to $15.5 million for energy conservation and offshore windpower development. All in all, the Governor is calling for $265 million in bonds to be placed on the November '09 ballot, and $40.4 million on the June '10 ballot.
These investments will be crucial for the long-term economic status of the state. The $67.5 million for competitive research and development grants for economic development will yield the highest return on dollars invested. It will help Maine keep its place as one of the leaders in new technology development and stay competitve in the national and global market.
Click here
to read more about the Governor's bond package.
What do you think about the Governor's bond package? Are there priorities that you
see missing? Do you think it is the right amount? Please let me know..
My Bills - Update
In the last email, I told you about two bills I had submitted that had public hearings, LD 678, "An Act To Provide Middle School Students with Access to Innovative Science Education," and LD 773, "An Act To Increase Funding for Higher Education". LD 678 would have provided $251,000 to the Gulf of Maine Research Institute for their middle school science programs, and LD 773 would have sought to require the State pay for 55% of higher education operating costs by 2012. Unfortunately, when it came time for a committee vote, both bills were defeated. While I am disappointed that neither bill was reported out of committee, there are some positives.
Click here to read more
about my first bills.
This week, three more of my bills will be heard:
LD 489, "Resolve, Regarding Continuity of Care in the Child Development Services System," will be heard on Monday in the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.
LD 885, "An Act To Provide a Tax Deduction for Landlords Who Complete Energy Audits on Rental Units," will be heard this week. LD 885 will be in the Joint Select Committee on Energy this Wednesday, March 25th.
Finally,
LD 806 "An Act To Authorize Fuel Cost Stabilization Funds To Be Established in School Administrative Units," will be heard in the Joint Select Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs this Wednesday, March 25th.
Closing
As always, thanks for your feedback! I look forward to running into you around town as the weather continues to bring us outdoors. Please feel free to contact me any time by sending me an email or contacting me on my website.
Thanks,
-Justin
