2017-04-30
Legislative Update
Introduction
It feels as if the
“third” term has begun. In that idea of three eight week terms,
we are in the last term of the session. This means more legislative
sessions, more direct work, and additional time. I think one has to
live through the whole process before understanding it
fully.
House Calendars
Tuesday,
April 25, 2017
Thursday,
April 27, 2017
Bill Text ->
Bill
Text
Bill Status -> Bill
Status
Testimony Link -> Bill
Testimony
This is really a great resource as you can see
all the testimony presented on any given bill.
Events
Calendars -> Events
This week in the House
-
There’s
always votes happening now in session, and it happens very
quickly.
But one bill stands out to me as significant - and I’m
not sure it got the deliberation it needed. The bill to move Maine
to the Atlantic Time Zone was a complex piece of legislation. The
proposal really hinged on two variables - the decision of Massachusetts
and New Hampshire to do the same thing, and the decision to put the matter
to a referendum of Maine voters.
My own view was different, and my
votes showed that. I do believe that time zones and the impact of
changing time zones can affect the daily life and the economy of the state
of Maine.
Time zones were originally established to make
sure that the trains ran on time. They were not a convenience.
I do believe that we owe it to everyone in our time zone to be on the same
time.
Essentially, this is a federal issue and not a state’s
issue. So many people could be affected up and done the most
populous portion of this country that to think about the impact on Maine
is provincial. If we lead the country - let us lead in the right
direction.
This is not to say that doing away with daylight saving
time is not a good idea - but that was not in the bill. Although
originally proposed by Ben Franklin, daylight saving time was actually
first utilized by the Germans to make economize on coal use as they
prepared for WWI. Daylight savings time in the 21’st century is
not necessary - we just like it because it gives us daylight in the
evening. But again, that was not the bill.
You might want to
consult this link at Wikipedia -> Daylight
Saving Time
This week in the Education
Committee
Though there were several bills in the
Education and Cultural Affairs Committee this week, I was very impressed
with a bill proposed by Representative Jay McCreight to provide
professional coaching for teachers who encounter students facing mental
health needs. She writes, “The intention of the bill is to make
sure educators who are already tasked with teaching secondary students
about mental health have accurate and up-to-date, nonstigmatizing
information AND that they are better able to recognize a student in need
of help. A key part of the program, a national, evidence-based
program, is to make these educators aware of service providers in their
own community to whom they can refer students for that help.”
Providing this kind of resource for our teachers who are in
the front lines of working with students is so very, very important.
The copy of the bill can be seen by clicking -> LD 1335 -
Mental Health Support
And, we do live in the state of
Maine. We have many natural resources -and especially our
forests. The folks at Maine Woodlands sent along a great newsletter.
This is well worth downloading for a good read about several aspects of
living in Maine. And, that section on Maine birds is well worth
studying! The newsletter can be seen by clicking -> Maine
Woodlands
Reflections
Yes, a busy week. The
evenings this week were also busy.
Tuesday - a town hall meeting
here in Lewiston on “The Opportunity Budget.” Look for a
separate blog posting in a few days.
Wednesday - a dinner to
celebrate the excellent work of New Beginnings. This is an
organization we can all support as they provide core services to young
people trying to make it in a confusing world.
Thursday - a
Democratic caucus meeting in Augusta about upcoming bills and our focus on
providing opportunities for Maine citizens.
Yes, busy.
As always, feel free to write to me and let me know your
thoughts.