Committee approves Jackson bill to establish Gagetown Harmful Chemical Study Commission
AUGUSTA – On Monday, Legislation from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to establish the Gagetown Harmful Chemical Study Commission, cleared the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee along party lines. LD 1597, “Resolve, to Establish the Gagetown Harmful Chemical Study Commission” would study the impacts of exposure to harmful chemicals on veterans and former National Guard members […]
Legislature enacts commonsense current services budget
Our job as elected officials is to represent the people who have placed their faith and trust and fight for their best interests. That is not something I take lightly. For me, this responsible baseline budget is about keeping our promise to Maine people — a promise to fund rural hospitals, a promise to fully fund our schools, a promise to make sure no child has to learn on an empty stomach and a promise to provide meaningful property tax relief. These are initiatives are foundational to the health, well-being, and success of Maine’s people and economy. Tonight, the Legislature followed through on that promise.
Pres. Jackson announces Senate Committee Assignments
AUGUSTA — Today, Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, announced Senate committee assignments for the 131st Maine Legislature. There are 17 joint-standing committees, a new Joint Select Committee on Housing, the Government Oversight Committee, and several Senate standing committees. Lawmakers are assigned to legislative committees by the presiding officers based on their interest, experience, professional background or […]
Jackson honored by County Marine Corps League
Right to left: Retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Allen Murphy, President Jackson, and Commandant Vaughn Hardacker, Marine Corps League, Meo Bosse Detachment 1414. CARIBOU — On August 14, Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, was recognized by the Meo Bosse Detachment 1414 of the Marine Corps League with a certificate of appreciation for his role in […]
Jackson holds veterans’ town hall in Caribou
Previous Next Snapshots from the veterans’ town hall! CARIBOU – On Sunday, Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, held a veterans’ town hall meeting at the Lister-Knowlton Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9389 in Caribou to provide updates on state and federal efforts to support the Caribou Veterans’ Home. Pres. Jackson was joined by Congressman Jared […]
Mills joins Pres. Jackson Aroostook County veterans for ceremonial bill signing
AUGUSTA — On Friday, Governor Janet T. Mills joined Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, Senator Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, and Aroostook County veterans and their families for a ceremonial bill signing at the Lister-Knowlton Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9389 in Caribou. President Jackson invited Governor Mills and Senator Hickman, Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Veterans […]
Mills, Jackson announce Maine Veterans’ Home Board of Trustees’ votes to keep open homes in Caribou and Machias
For weeks, the veterans, their family members and the staff at the Maine Veteran’s Homes in Caribou and Machias have had to grapple with enormous uncertainty and mixed messages as the Legislature worked to pass legislation to save the two facilities. Today, folks can finally breathe a sigh of relief now that Governor Mills has signed LD 2001 into law and that the Board has reconsidered its closure vote. As we look to the future, we must continue working to ensure that the Maine Veterans’ Homes can continue serving veterans and their families in rural Maine.
Mills signs Jackson bill to keep Maine Veterans’ Homes in Caribou, Machias open
In Augusta, politicians talk an awful lot about standing up for rural Maine, fighting for rural Maine and making sure rural Maine doesn’t get left behind. We often use the same lofty rhetoric to talk about our veterans. Today, with the help of Governor Mills, the Maine Legislature matched those words with action by passing LD 2001 and keeping our promise to Maine veterans. I’m so grateful to all of the veterans, family members and staff at the Maine Veterans’ Homes in Caribou and Machias who reached out and shared their stories. The fact that we were able to put a stop to this injustice is a testament to our community.
Bill to save Veterans’ Homes in Caribou, Machias gets initial legislative approval
When the Maine Legislature established the Maine Veterans’ Homes, we made a commitment to the men and women serving in our nation’s armed forces to repay their service by making sure they could get the care they need in their later years. For 35 years, the state has kept this promise. To close these facilities now and move veterans out of their homes and away from their families for no good reason is simply unacceptable.
I’m so grateful that my colleagues in the Senate and House joined me in unanimously supporting LD 2001 on an initial vote. It’s only fitting that we would reaffirm our commitment to Maine veterans by taking this up on National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Now it’s time to get this bill across the finish line and stop the closure dead in its tracks.
Jackson bill to save Caribou, Machias Veterans’ Homes clears committee
There is no question that the Maine Veterans’ Homes provide first-rate care to the residents who call these facilities home. It’s a testament to the extraordinary staff dedicated to serving our servicemen and women in need of long-term care. However, there seems to be a debate about whether it’s worth it to provide this care in rural Maine. Let me be clear — when the Maine Legislature established the Maine Veterans’ Homes, we made a commitment to veterans across this state — a commitment that I intend to keep. We cannot and will not turn our backs on the brave men and women who have served our country and now find themselves in need of quality, compassionate long-term care. This legislation will ensure that the closure of these homes remains the option of last resort.
