Senate unanimously approves nominee to lead Maine’s Office of Affordable Health Care
The Office of Affordable Health Care reflects the need for a nonpartisan, independent state agency that is dedicated to identifying meaningful, evidence-based steps the Legislature can take to make health care more affordable and accessible for the people we represent. This will be an enormous undertaking but Megan Garratt-Reed has proven that she has what it takes to build and successfully lead this type of state agency. I am confident that the entire state will benefit from her commitment to the pursuit of evidence-based policies that make health care work for more Mainers.
Presiding Officers announce public hearing on Emergency Winter Energy Relief
Today, Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, and House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, announced temporary appointments to the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee for the purpose of holding a public hearing on the proposed Winter Emergency Energy Relief package. A public hearing has been scheduled for 1 p.m., Wednesday, December 21.
Committee approves Jackson bill to help farmers amid extreme weather conditions
Farming is a critical part of our state’s character and economy. It’s a core part of who we are and our storied history in Aroostook County. But in recent years, extreme weather conditions, like drought, have hit Maine farmers pretty hard, causing devastating losses that threaten the entire industry. This bill is about making sure that our state is taking steps to protect and preserve our heritage industries that have powered rural communities for generations by establishing grants to improve access to irrigation.
Jackson, Legislative Democrats unveil plan to help Mainers heat their homes, keep the lights on
Maine people expect solutions from their elected officials, not excuses or finger-pointing. That’s why Legislative Democrats have come together to provide relief now and lower prices in the long term. With this plan, we can ensure that Mainers can afford to not just stay in their homes but heat their homes and keep the lights on while also providing for their families. We can also make sure small business owners can afford to pay their energy bills, keep their doors open and contribute to our economy.
Jackson, Evans introduce bill to strengthen job growth in Maine’s forestry industry
For generations, families like mine have worked hard to make a good living in the Maine woods. However, the forest products industry has changed dramatically since my father, grandfather and great-grandfather first went to work in the woods. One of the key issues is that we’ve gone from a system where training workers was a part of the job to a system where training workers is simply not practical for existing contractors who are barely scraping by. LD 1919 is a simple but effective way to create jobs and provide training to Maine workers in the forest products industry. As amended, I believe it can help give Maine workers a competitive edge for critical jobs in the forest products industry.
Pres. Jackson appoints Presque Isle native to health care board
Christy Daggett understands the barriers hardworking Mainers in rural parts of the state face when it comes to quality, affordable health care. Between her wide-breadth of research and policy analysis and her experience working on the ground in Aroostook County at ACAP and AMHC, Christy is the person you want leading the charge to lower health care costs and improve access to care in rural Maine.
Jackson, Dunphy introduce bill to support teachers in unorganized territories
If we truly believe that every child in Maine deserves a first-class education, then we will ensure that all school staff can access the same benefits, including school staff in Maine’s unorganized territories. LD 1780 is about equity. Every day the small but mighty staff at Connor Consolidated School in Connor Township, an unorganized territory in northern Aroostook County, go above and beyond to meet the needs of their students. These hardworking teachers, education technicians and administrators deserve the same wage payment options as their colleagues in other parts of the state.
Pres. Jackson, Rep. Evans introduce bill to advance affordable health care coverage
AUGUSTA – Rep. Richard Evans, D-Dover Foxcroft, introduced legislation Tuesday to improve health care affordability and increase options for comprehensive coverage for individuals and small businesses in Maine. If passed into law, LD 1778 would require the Office of Affordable Health Care, an independent, nonpartisan agency, to analyze barriers to affordable health care and develop […]
Pres. Jackson welcomes St. Francis guests to the Maine Senate
AUGUSTA – Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, welcomed several guests from the town of St. Francis to the Maine Senate on Wednesday. The guests – Jeff and Kim Ouellette, Kelsie Lee, Trevor Lee, Connor Charette and Shay Charette – observed the Senate during a special session of the Legislature and took a tour of the […]
Jackson, legislative leaders raise alarm over uptick in hate crimes
If this isn’t who we are as Mainers, then we must prove it by coming together and putting an end to this violence driven by racism, homophobia and antisemitism. If we believe that all Mainers deserve to feel safe and respected in their homes, in their workplaces and in their communities, then we must make that a reality. As legislative leaders, we believe in the kindness and strength of Maine people to step up and make that happen.
