2017-03-05 Update
Introduction
This was perhaps the
busiest of weeks so far in Augusta. A full calendar of five
days marked by testimony, hearings, and a full day on Friday with
Appropriations and Education.
Nonetheless,
there was a bit of time to make some alterations to the web site -
MaineDistrict59 - the place you are reading this.
Most importantly,
the section labeled "News and Resources" has been reworked to provide you
with more information which you might find useful in following Maine State
Government. Click on the tab and explore the different links.
Of particular interest, the tab regarding the legislative calendar will be
very useful. Here is the direct link - News and
Resources
House
Calendars
Thursday,
March 9, 2017
Bill Text can be
found using this link called Directory of Bills
Proposed
Legislation
Link to Bill
Status
Bill Status
Events
Calendars
This week in the House
-
Reflections
This week in the Education
and Cultural Affairs Committee, we had a chance to hear many proposed
bills. In fact, it was a pretty exhausting week.
But perhaps
no bill was more poignant than LD526. - A bill to increase teacher
health insurance payments. Currently all retired teachers receive a
payment of 45% of their health insurance costs. This means that
retired teachers pay 55% of their health insurance in an out of pocket
way. They do this despite the fact that they were promised an
increase in the rate of payment for many years. They have in fact
been kept at 45% of this promise for over ten years.
When retired teachers live on a
minimal income which is also a fixed income, they face real challenges in
paying for their health insurance in an out of pocket method. In
fact, there were several teachers who testified that the choice to pay for
insurance or buy groceries or purchase medicines is a real and present
dilemma. And so many teachers do not qualify for Medicare, as they
participated only in the Maine State Retirement
system.
Prices go up every year. Teacher
retirement benefits have not kept pace with the increase in the cost of
living.
And yet, though that was important, the
testimony offered on the Education Budget - in conjunction with the
Appropriations Committee on Friday was amazing - yes, poignant, and even
more impactful. We had been told to prepare for a long day on
Friday, but I was not prepared to hear the range of testimony.
People's statements ran from the academic to the
personal.
But, not a single person, and there were 70 signed up by 10AM, testified in favor of the proposed education budget. Not a signle person supported the governor's proposals. And of the hundred emails I receved, not a signle one supported the proposed budget. Over and over and over again, I heard and read testimony about how the people of Maine want the state of Maine to live up to the committment of 55% funding for general edcation. This is the law, and we will need to observe the law at some point.
And it was so good to see Crystal Ward present on two days this week - giving testimony and participating in the process of state government.
After the hearings on Friday, here was the news release from the Speaker's office.
Maine
Legislature
For Immediate Release
March 3,
2017
Dems: Governor’s Budget Falls Short on
Education
Over 70 Mainers sign up to testify
against the governor’s proposal
AUGUSTA -
The Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and Education Committee
held a joint public hearing on Friday on portions of Gov. Paul LePage’s
budget proposal that would impact Maine’s education system. Over seventy
Mainers were signed up to testify against the proposal. The governor’s
proposal ignores voter demands to fully fund public schools and fails to
give Maine teachers the resources they need to prepare children to
thrive.
“Yet again the
governor’s budget ignores the will of Maine people by failing to fund
public education and neglecting our students and teachers,” said Rep.
Drew Gattine, D-Westbrook, Chair of the Appropriations and Financial
Affairs Committee. “What’s worse, this time he’s ignoring the law
and shortchanging our schools so he can give tax breaks to the wealthiest
people in Maine.”
Using Maine’s school
funding formula, the Maine Department of Education calculates how much
each school district will receive in state funding each year. The
governor’s budget makes significant changes to that formula, resulting
in some communities receiving millions less in funding, and others
receiving an increase, creating inequities for Maine students.
According to data from
the Maine Department of Education, calculations show that almost 65% of
Maine students live in districts that will see a decline in education
funding from the state if the governor’s budget proposal is
approved.
“Our state will be
shaped by the investments we make in empowering our children to run
the pillars of our economy, including strong businesses and
communities,” said Rep. Brian Hubbell, D-Bar Harbor. “We need to be
looking at the bigger picture when we make changes to our education
system, from pre-k to affordable college, and this budget doesn’t get us
there.”
Next week, the
Appropriations Committee will hold joint sessions with the Environment and
Natural Resources, Insurance and Financial Services and Energy, Utilities
and Technology Committees to continue shaping the budget.
As always, feel free to
write to me and let me know your
thoughts.
