An Act
To Allow Pharmacists To Administer Certain Immunizations
On October
1st a law permitting pharmacists to provide immunizations– including
flu shots – went into effect giving more Maine people access
to vital health care services. To view the full story you will
be redirected to WCSH’s web site: view
full story...
Maine
Legislature wraps up session
House and Senate pass laws to create jobs, increase access to
health care, and reduce tax burden
June 13, 2009
Augusta, ME—The Maine Legislature finished up a successful,
challenging and productive session on Friday when the House and
Senate adjourned for the year, 4 days ahead of its scheduled adjournment
date, June 17th. Read
more...
Statement
of Maine Democratic Legislative Leadership on the signing of L.D.
1495
"An Act To Implement Tax Relief and Tax Reform"
“We are very pleased to have provided meaningful tax reform
and relief to the citizens of Maine, who have gone decades with
an outdated and unbalanced tax code. Today’s signing of the
tax reform legislation was the culmination of many hours of work
on behalf of the bill’s sponsors and the Administration.
The new tax system will provide real economic development for Maine
by attracting much needed investment to our state. Read
more...
Taxation
Committee endorses improved tax reform bill
Feedback from citizens, businesses result
in enhanced version of tax reform package
June 1, 2009
Augusta, ME—The Maine Legislature’s Committee on Taxation
reviewed and endorsed the comprehensive tax reform package put
forth by members of the Taxation Committee, the presiding officers
of the Maine House and Senate and other legislators. The package,
which was introduced in March and had a public hearing in April,
is a wholesale revision of the tax code in order to put Maine in
a better position to grow the state’s economy and reduce
the tax burden on residents. The Taxation Committee refined the
bill and supported a slightly modified and improved version of
the legislation after receiving input from the public hearing and
community forums around the state.
The tax relief and reform package will cut the top income tax
rate from 8.5 to 6.5 percent and pay for it by expanding the sales
tax base to a number of highly exportable and discretionary items. Read
more...
State
budget passes first test in House
The Maine House of Representatives has given
initial approval to the state budget for the coming two years
May 26, 2009
AUGUSTA– By a 115 to 31 vote, the Maine House of Representatives
has moved forward on a state budget plan for the upcoming two fiscal
years. The $5.8 billion, two-year budget, which reduces spending
by $500 million from the previous biennial budget, will now head
to the Senate for another round of votes which are likely to come
on Wednesday. Read
more...
Maine House
approves bill to reduce size of Legislature
Rep. David Van Wie amendment would shrink House of Representatives
to 131 members
May 6, 2009
AUGUSTA – A bill to shrink the size of the Maine House of
Representatives from 151 members to 131 members received strong
bipartisan support in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Although the State and Local Government Committee initially voted
down the bill, the full House approved the bill with an amendment
put forth by Rep. David Van Wie, D-New Gloucester. A motion to
vote down the bill failed 23-122, and the legislation was adopted
by unanimous consent. Read
more...
Maine House
of Representatives approves Marriage Equality legislation
Bill passes with bipartisan support, 89—57
May 5, 2009
Augusta, ME—The Maine House of Representatives passed legislation
that addresses the inequalities in Maine’s marriage laws,
allowing loving and committed same sex couples to get married.
Maine joins Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, and Vermont in recognizing
civil marriage for same sex couples, and other states are currently
considering similar proposals. The bill, L.D. 1020, “An Act
to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom,” passed
the Maine Senate last week with a strong bipartisan vote of 21
to 14. Read
more...
Maine Legislative
Leaders meet with President Obama
National Conference of State Legislatures’ forum in nation’s
capitol features bipartisan meetings with Congressional leaders,
cabinet officials and a White House meeting with President Obama
March 20, 2009
AUGUSTA– Maine’s Legislative leaders have concluded
a two-day conference in the nation’s capitol with a meeting
with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and several
of their top officials. The forum was organized by the National
Conference of State Legislatures and utilized no state funds. Read
more...
Legislative
leadership applauds the Governor’s proposed investments
in Maine
Commitment to renewable energy and job creation
will be key this year
March 10th, 2009
AUGUSTA—Democratic leaders in the Maine Legislature are
encouraged by the priorities outlined by Governor John Baldacci
in his annual State of the State address on Tuesday night. The
proposals in the Governor’s speech compliment the work the
Legislature has been doing to get Maine’s economy growing
again. The Governor provided a blueprint for the Legislature to
work from and legislators from both bodies will be working with
the administration to create jobs and grow the economy. Read
more...
House Majority
Leader advocates for new approach to transportation and energy
policy
Rep. Piotti wants state to address transportation energy efficiency
March 3, 2009
AUGSUTA—House Majority Leader John Piotti notes that there
is one major missing piece to the conversation about energy efficiency
in Maine: transportation policy. The state often reviews policies
related to alternative energy, weatherization and home energy efficiencies,
and making steps to improve these areas has been a priority for
years. What has not been addressed is the role of creating efficiencies
in our transportation system, and a new proposal by Piotti would
change that. Read
more...
Majority
Leader John Piotti welcomes dairy farmers to state house for
forum on milk pricing
Hearing examined state’s Dairy Stabilization
program
February 19, 2009
AUGUSTA —The Legislature’s Committee on Agriculture,
Conservation and Forestry, held a hearing on Maine’s Dairy
Stabilization Program on Wed., Feb. 18, 2009 at the State House.
The Maine House Majority Leader John Piotti (D-Unity), thought
it was essential to host a session for public input to address
this issue which has a stark effect on rural Maine.
“ Maine’s dairy farms are the heart of much of rural
Maine, providing over $500 million in economic activity while preserving
our landscape are feeding our families,” said Majority Leader
Piotti. Read
more...
State stays below spending caps
by large margin
Property taxes continue to
grow more slowly, state under spending limit by $221 million
February 17, 2009
AUGUSTA – Maine House Majority Leader John Piotti announced
that the State of Maine has stayed under the statutory spending
caps imposed on government for a 4th straight year, by $221 million.
Local
property taxes also continued to grow more slowly, recording a
3.9 percent increase for 2008. Prior to the passage of LD 1 local
property
taxes had grown at a rate of more than 5 percent. Read
more...
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