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 […]
President Jackson introduces legislation to bring a drug treatment and recovery court to Aroostook County
“If we are serious about combating the opioid epidemic and helping Mainers get their lives back on track, we need to use every tool available. Establishing a treatment and recovery court in Aroostook County is essential to this work.
Pres. Jackson sponsors bill to fund Caribou jail
The current jail in Caribou increasingly serves as a holding facility for the entire region, and the size and state of the building do not adequately support this work. A new jail will better support local and regional law enforcement in northern Aroostook County and ensure that justice can be served.
Pres. Jackson proposes legislation to protect access to psychiatric care north of Bangor
It’s hard to put into words what these funding cuts would mean for folks who need this care or have loved ones who are experiencing a mental health crisis. The closest alternative option is in Bangor — more than four hours away. Ensuring that in-patient psychiatric care remains in Fort Kent is vital to the health and well-being of families in a region where access to care is already limited. This bill would allow Northern Maine Medical Center to continue providing critical care to folks experiencing a mental health crisis.
Pres. Jackson welcomes Limestone Troop 193 to the Maine State House
“It was great to have the Scouts from Troop 193 in the Senate Chamber this week. They were a great group. I’m grateful to their Scout Leaders, especially Kathie Beaulieu, who helped make possible the long trip down from The County that morning,” said President Jackson. “I know the kids all had an early wake-up call, but they did a great job helping run the Chamber during the legislative session.”
Pres. Jackson testifies in favor of legislation looking to connect I-95 to the St. John Valley
The state made a promise to connect the state from Kittery to Fort Kent, uniting the northern and southern parts of the state with the Maine highway system. Decades later, that promise remains unfulfilled today with I-95 stopping in Houlton, about 100 miles or two hours short of its planned destination,” said President Jackson. “After all these years, the people, businesses and communities in northern and central Aroostook County are the ones who continue to pay the price for this unfinished project.
Pres. Jackson introduces bill to permit the use of courthouse facility dogs
“This legislation is intended to offer some comfort and solace to individuals, especially children, dealing with the criminal justice system in the aftermath of a traumatic event,” said President Jackson. “Thank you to DA Collins for bringing this idea forward and looking for innovative ways to make our criminal justice system more accessible.”
Pres. Jackson lauds appointment of Hon. Mike Carpenter to Logging Dispute Resolution Board
Mike Carpenter has dedicated his entire life to making sure folks get a fair shake – whether serving as Maine’s Attorney General, the Chair of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, or as a Guardian ad Litem. With his appointment to the Maine Logging Dispute Resolution Board, Maine logging contractors can be confident that their grievances will be taken seriously by someone who is trustworthy, experienced and familiar with the industry.
Pres. Jackson announces operations of new cell phone towers in Allagash and St. Francis
Reliable cell phone service has become an essential part of everyday life. It’s how we connect with loved ones, call for help in emergencies and do business on daily basis. Yet for far too long, the hardworking families in the Valley have been left behind when it comes to this essential service. That changes for most folks in Allagash and St. Francis today, and Eagle Lake in the coming week.
Pres. Jackson release statement following announcement from insulin-manufacturer
While today’s announcement is welcome news, it does not mean our work is over. If anything, we must double down on efforts to rein in outrageous prescription drug prices and hold pharmaceutical companies accountable.
