Maine Senate calls on VA to acknowledge exposure to harmful chemicals at Gagetown, provide care for affected National Guard members
AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, the Maine Senate unanimously approved a Joint Resolution to petition the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to acknowledge and provide benefits to members of the Maine National Guard exposed to harmful chemicals at the Canadian military support base in Gagetown, New Brunswick. The Joint Resolution, sponsored by Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, is […]
Committee unanimously endorses bill championed by Jackson to implement Gagetown recommendations, reestablish harmful chemical study commission
AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, members of the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs unanimously voted in favor of a bill to implement the recommendations from the Gagetown Harmful Chemical Studies Commission which was chaired by Senate President Jackson, D-Allagash, immediately following the public hearing. The bill – LD 2274, “An Act to Implement the […]
President Jackson’s bill to fund Maine Veterans’ Homes clears Senate on initial vote
AUGUSTA – Last Wednesday, the Maine Senate unanimously approved legislation from Senate President Troy Jackson that would improve funding for Maine Veterans’ Homes. LD 2217, “Resolve, to Require the Department of Health and Human Services to Amend Its MaineCare Reimbursement Rules to Provide Reimbursement to Veterans’ Facilities on a Per Resident Basis” would increase funding for Maine Veterans’ […]
Committee unanimously approves Jackson bill to fund the Maine Veterans’ Homes
AUGUSTA – A bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to provide funding to the Maine Veterans’ Homes in the midst of a growing financial crisis faced by the organization was unanimously approved by the Legislature’s Veteran and Legal Affairs Committee last week immediately following the public hearing. The bill – LD 2217, “An Act to Strengthen Maine Veterans’ Homes […]
Gagetown Commission urges VA to support guardsmen harmed by chemical exposure, calls for additional environmental and health studies
The group of lawmakers, former servicemembers and stakeholders also recommended that the Legislature re-establish the study commission to continue this important work. AUGUSTA – On Thursday, Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, and Rep. Ron Russell, D-Verona Island, presented the final report from the Gagetown Harmful Chemical Study Commission to the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs […]
President Jackson, Senator Rotundo release statements on revenue forecasting report
AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, the Maine Revenue Forecasting Committee released a preliminary revenue forecast report that includes an additional $139 million in general fund revenues for this fiscal year and $125 million for state fiscal year 2025. Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, and Senator Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, Chair of the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs […]
Legislature’s Gagetown Commission highlights stories of service members and their families
Left to Right: Diane Ghering, wife of commission member Jim Ghering; Elaine Donovan, wife of commission member David Donovan; Jan McColm of Halifax; Dana Michaud of Presque Isle; Rep. Mark Babin, R-Fort Fairfield; President Jackson; Rep. Ron Russell, R-Verona Island; Don Page of Fort Fairfield; David Donovan of Fort Fairfield; and Jim Gehring of Bridgewater. […]
Governor signs President Jackson’s Gagetown Chemical Study into law
AUGUSTA – On Friday, Governor Janet Mills signed into law legislation from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, creating the Gagetown Harmful Chemical Study Commission. The Commission is tasked with studying the impacts of exposure to harmful chemicals during National Guard service at the Gagetown Air Base in New Brunswick, Canada. “I’m thrilled that this long […]
Senate sends responsible bipartisan budget to governor’s desk
t’s hard to overstate what this budget will mean for working-class families. It is a budget that answers the call of the moment and delivers for parents on child care, paid family and medical leave, and the dependent tax credit, making it just a little easier for folks to make ends meet. It will give those of us who live in rural areas peace of mind knowing that when we call 9-1-1, we can count on emergency medical services professionals to show up in our hour of need.
Senate unanimously approves Jackson bill to study exposure of Maine National Guard to harmful chemicals at Gagetown
Maine has a responsibility to serve and protect the members of the Maine National Guard who have stepped up to serve and protect our state. This means making sure that those who were exposed to harmful chemicals during training exercises or service get the care and benefits they deserve. I’ve heard from too many folks who served or had loved ones who served at Gagetown only to be left behind by their government to suffer the consequences of deadly chemical exposure. This bill is about getting answers and justice – long overdue justice.
