It has been a busy couple of weeks. I have been finishing up a term of classes and finally found time to write today. I am happy to say that I made the Dean’s list again this past term. I have one more term to go and I will will my Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies. I have really enjoyed going back to school.
Now on to some really important stuff. Augusta has been real busy. I attended a listening session with part of the Lewiston delegation this morning. Rep. Peggy Rotundo and Sen. Margaret Craven were present. It was very informative. Peggy is on Appropriations and she filled us in on what has been happening with the budget. Some good news–the Drugs for the Elderly and Medicare cuts have been refunded in the proposed budget. Those cuts would have hurt thousands and thousands of Mainers.
State Workers
In the proposed budget, the Democrats on Appropriations have worked hard to negotiate for state union workers. I have heard that some state retirees are not happy with this proposal. It is so critical that state workers think clearly about what was achieved on this proposal. With the Democrats help the union received most of what they were asking for. The budget needs to be agreed on by both sides to pass. It has to be a 2/3rds vote. It will take Republicans and Democrats to pass.
These last few days are so critical to this process. If there is not a 2/3rds vote on the budget, all could be lost. If you are a state worker, please consider the above carefully before sending out e-mails or calling your Rep/Sen in opposition to the above proposal. It could end up being all or nothing for you.
Common Sense Caucus????
It is my understanding that the Tea Party Republicans in Augusta have created the “Common Sense Caucus.” Dale Crafts (Rep. Lisbon) is the chair of this caucus. There are 51 members of this caucus. Jeffrey Timberlake (Rep. Turner) and Steve Wood (Rep. Sabattus) are also members of this caucus.
Last week they wrote a letter and delivered it to legislative leaders and members of the Appropriations Committee. The letter stated that they would not compromise on the Governor’s budget. Dale Crafts stated, “We’re holding on the tax cuts.” As you know, the Governor’s budget includes generous tax cuts for the wealthy while leaving the low- and middle-class out to dry.
Fifty-one is the number of votes that could totally derail the budget in the House. If the budget is derailed it would not be good for Maine. If the Governor decides to veto the budget as he has threatened it could mean a state shutdown and a total breakdown in negotiations.
Helping Local Farmers
Sen. Justin Alfond proposed a bill to allow food stamp recipients to purchase food at farmers markets. This is a great idea. It not only helps farmers, but it ensures that the recipient and their family are eating wholesome healthy foods. Every Republican in the Senate voted against this bill. It appears that they just don’t care about the little guys or the people of Maine. See the roll call here. Mason and Snowe-Mello also voted against this bill. Roll-call #137
Bill to Stop Same Day Voter Registration Passes
This bill, LD 1376, eliminates voting day registration in Maine and moves the last day that a person could register to vote to be the Thursday before election day. This issue has fueled emotions on both sides. Charlie Webster, chairman of the Maine Republican Party, made some comments that show the real intentions of the bill. It is not to help town clerks. As a matter of fact, not one town clerk testified against this bill. The real purpose of this bill is to hurt the Democratic party.
Bill Nemitz of the Portland Press Herald interviewed Webster. Webster is quoted as saying, “If you want to get really honest, this is about how the Democrats have managed to steal elections from Maine people. Many of us believe that the Democrats intentionally steal elections.” Senate Democrats called the statements “un-American and shameful.”
Sen. Justin Alfond (Dem.) stated that Webster told him that the bill’s passage would damage the political viability of some Democrats. Webster told Alfond, “This strategy will ensure that socialists and liberals like you won’t get elected anymore.”
In 2008, almost 60,000 voters registered to vote on election day. Because of same day voter registration, Maine has or had one of the highest voter turnout rates in the nation. Groups that opposed passage of the the bill include the Disability Rights Center, the League of Women Voters of Maine, the Maine Civil Liberties Union, the Maine Municipal Association, the Maine League of Young Voters and the Maine Women’s Lobby.
This was part of the Republican agenda in Augusta and the bill passed with a party-line vote in both the House and Senate. View the Roll Calls here.
Pesticide Notification Registry
I find this disturbing. The Pesticide Notification Registry was killed on party line votes in the both the House and Senate. Republicans voted to kill it. The word is that a compromise was worked out by moderate Republicans and Democrats that would have had the Department of Agriculture run the Registry, but the Revisor’s Office was not able to get the new language to the House until after the vote. You can mark that up to having unexperienced leadership. The vote should have never taken place until the amendment was received. Roll-call #99 The Registry will end in September. So much for protecting the health of Mainers from dangerous chemicals.
Senate Backs a Bill to Allow Workers to Keep Guns in Cars
The House and Senate voted along party lines (Rs for, Ds against) to approve a bill that says an employer may not prohibit an employee with a valid concealed-firearms permit from keeping a gun in a locked car at work. People who support the bill say that the individuals’ right to bear arms outweighs the rights for business owners. Opponents say that businesses should have the right to set policies regarding guns on their properties. Think about how scary this is. How would you like to go to work and know that your gun carrying co-workers brought their guns to work? This could create fear and intimidation in the work place.
Transgender and Women’s Rights
All four bills that would have limited a woman’s access to abortion were rejected: LD 116, LD 924, LD 1457 and LD 1463. The transgender bill, LD1046, was also killed. This bill would have allowed businesses to prohibit transgender persons from using the toilet room of their choice.
Welfare
This information is from the Maine Equal Justice Partners.
The Appropriations Committee REJECTED the following cuts (this means if 2/3rds of the Legislature accepts the proposed budget the following proposals WILL NOT go into effect):
· Most of the proposals to cut the MaineCare Program were rejected by the Committee.
· The cut to the Alternative Aid program was also rejected.
· In addition, the Committee rejected ALL of the proposed cuts to the General Assistance program.
The Appropriations Committee did, however, ACCEPT the following cuts - (this means that if 2/3rds of the Legislature accepts the proposed budget the following proposals WILL go into effect):
Programs that Assist Legal Immigrants
Original Proposal - Completely eliminate eligibility for TANF, the Food Supplement Program and SSI benefits for legal immigrants for their first 5 years.
Proposal Accepted by the Committee - TANF, SSI and Food Supplement, current recipients who are legal immigrants currently receiving TANF, SSI and Food Supplement during their first 5 years in the country will continue to receive those benefits if they continue to be eligible for them. In other words, these people will be “grandfathered” and will continue to get benefits.
New Applicants - New applicants will only be eligible for these programs if they are elderly and/or disabled, domestic violence survivors, or fit into some other hardship category, such as waiting for work documentation, as will be established by DHHS in rules.
MaineCare
MaineCare coverage for all legal immigrants during their first 5 years will be eliminated, except for children and pregnant women. This includes 227 individuals who are elderly and/or have a disability who are currently covered and will be cut off.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program
Original Proposal - Impose a strict lifetime 5-year time limit in the TANF Program with NO exceptions.
Proposal Accepted by the Committee - Beginning January 1, 2012, a 5-year time limit will be imposed in the TANF program. There will be extensions and exemptions so that certain families will be able to continue to get assistance beyond that 5 year cap.
Original Proposal - Impose sanctions against the entire family, including children, if a parent does not fully comply with TANF/ASPIRE program rules.
Proposal Accepted by the Committee - Beginning January 1, 2012, a new sanction process will be put in place. For the first sanction, only the adult will lose benefits. If they do not comply within 90 days and for any additional sanction the whole family will lose benefits, unless they have good cause.
Original Proposal - Impose a requirement that any parent that has been convicted of a drug-related felony would have to show proof of ongoing drug testing to be eligible to receive TANF for their family. If the person tested positive for drug use, the family would lose all assistance.
Proposal Accepted by the Committee - DHHS could require any parent that has been convicted of a drug-related felony in the past 20 years to have a drug test. Individuals who do not believe the test is accurate can have a second confirmatory test and appeal any decision. If they test positive for illegal drug use, DHHS can require them to enroll in a drug treatment program if one is available.
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The Maine Legislatue will be adjourning this week. It is still important to speak out on the issues that concern you. Democrats were able to negotiate and stop many bad bills from passing. Unfortunately they could not stop them all. Please contact me if you have questions on any of the information above. If I can’t answer them, I will find someone who can.
If you have friends or neighbors interested in receiving this information, please forward it to them or have them sign up.
Have a wonderful week!
P.S. Do you live in Sabattus or L/A? If so watch my new show Beyond the PInes on Tuesday nights at 7 pm. You can also watch it online at www.beyondthepines.com. Episode too is now out! In this episode we visit the Paper and Heritage Museum in Livermore Falls and Loaves and Fishes in Sabattus.