District 8 Legislative Update - September 17th, 2009
September 17, 2009 -
Hi friends,
Our short summer is coming to an end and the leaves are starting to turn. Over the past few weeks, I have been hard at work developing a print newsletter detailing my work in the Senate this year. Look for it in the next West End News and at coffee shops and grocery stores across the district.
Community Event - Labor Day
Last Monday, I had the pleasure of attending this year's 2009 Labor Day Breakfast at the Irish Heritage Center. Over 200 people came to support the Labor movement's past, present and future. Labor is working hard for the Employee Free Choice Act and a better health care system for all.
There were many great speakers, including the Chair of the National Labor Relations Board, Wilma Liebman, who addressed the need for Labor rights and health care reform. It was a great opportunity to celebrate Labor Day with leaders from across the state.
Tax Reform
One of the big accomplishments this session was the sweeping tax reform bill that lowers taxes for Mainers while stabilizing future revenues. While not perfect, it is an immense step forward to bring our tax code into the 21st century. However, the fight for tax reform is far from over.
You may have heard that those opposing tax reform just submitted signatures to the Secretary of State. They hope that the bill will be placed before voters next June. It will take the Secretary of State a month to certify the signatures, and we'll have to wait to see if there are enough signatures to put this issue on the ballot. If implementation of the bill is delayed by a year, it will cost Maine taxpayers over $57 million - which would be a shame.
Not everyone shares my support for this bill, and that is their right. But I'm afraid that many people signed petitions because they were misled. People were being falsely told that this bill would tax social security, fire wood, haircuts, electricians, builders, and IRAs. None of that is true. (If you know of anyone who was misled, I'd like to know.)
I will continue to fight for much needed changes to Maine's tax code. As always, I welcome your comments and questions.
DC Conference
I just returned from my inaugural business visit to DC for work around education. I attended "Achieve: The American Diploma Project Network" with a delegation from Maine. Maine is part of approximately 35 states working collaboratively on best practices to achieve college and career-ready students for pre-kindergarten through college.
This means that Maine is working to adopt national standards. For example, a student in Maine and a student in North Carolina learning Algebra 1 would both know the standards they must achieve in order to pass. Additionally, teachers would use the same math standards. It simply makes sense that students learning Algebra 1 learn the same content nationwide.
The conference was a great opportunity for me to work with my colleagues at the Maine Department of Education, a representative from higher education and a legislative colleague around education reform in our state. My goal is to work with you and elected officials to clearly lay out a strategy for how to reach our high expectations in our schools.
Closing
I hope people get out this weekend to support two great events that I will be attending. On Saturday, Sept. 19th, at 10AM, the Stroudwater Village Association will be kicking off Stroudwater Village Day, which will include the dedication of a new park, a parade, the honoring of three residents, music, a huge cook-out, children's games and a pageant of historic figures and tales.
On Munjoy Hill, Munjfest will also be on Saturday, Sept. 19th, starting at 11AM, and includes a dog talent show, a celebrity dunk tank, and an all-day kid's corner. As always, I would love to hear your feedback at 828-0277 and justin@justinalfond.com.
-Justin
