Dear Friends:

It is a great honor to have the opportunity to serve the people of Senate District 17 in the 132nd Legislature.

If you have a question or comment about what is happening at the State House, I would like to hear from you. Please contact me by email or phone at (207) 287-1505.

Here is an update on what is happening in Augusta and around the state.

Sincerely,

Jeff Timberlake

Senate District 17 includes:

In Androscoggin County: Greene; Leeds; Lisbon; Livermore;

Livermore Falls; Sabattus; Turner; and Wales.

In Kennebec County: Fayette; and Litchfield.

Legislature adjourns Sine Die — killing

child welfare reform legislation

Members of the Government Oversight Committee at the September 17, 2025, meeting of the committee. DHHS' handling of a foster/kinship placement that resulted in a double homicide was on the agenda.

Late last month, the Legislature adjourned Sine Die, or without day, declaring the work of the Second Regular Session complete. Three Democrats joined Republicans in voting against adjournment, recognizing that our work was not yet complete. Adjournment killed bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding the oversight capabilities of the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee (GOC).

LD 127, "An Act to Strengthen Legislative Oversight of Government Agencies and Programs by Reaffirming the Legislature's Access to Confidential Records," received bipartisan support in both the House and Senate during almost every floor vote it received. Recognizing this legislation was likely to pass, legislative Democrats instead proceeded to adjourn for the year.

The bill stemmed from the fact that the Government Oversight Committee (GOC), the Legislature’s watchdog committee, is unable to enter into executive session to view certain relevant confidential records. Currently, only Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA) staff can review confidential records that are pertinent to GOC requests for investigation.

This has been particularly problematic during recent attempts by GOC to question representatives from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on the unacceptable number of children with department involvement who have died. Over the past five years, 150 children with DHHS involvement have died — more than in the previous 14 years.

This bill was an opportunity to allow elected officials to look behind the iron curtain DHHS has put up so we could start the long path toward real child welfare reform. Unfortunately, despite garnering bipartisan support, the legislation died when the Legislature adjourned.

Legislative Memorial Scholarship

application deadline extended

The Maine Legislature annually grants a scholarship to one student from each county who is currently pursuing or planning to pursue an education at a two- or four-year degree-granting Maine college or technical school. Administered through the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), awards are given to Maine resident high school seniors or full- or part-time postsecondary students accepted to or enrolled in accredited Maine colleges for graduate or undergraduate degrees.

Scholarship awards of $1,000 will be given to one student in each of Maine’s counties (16 total). Because several counties had few or no complete applications, the 2026-2027 application deadline has been extended to June 1, 2026.

Only complete applications will be considered. A complete application consists of:

Completed 2025-2026 Maine Legislative Memorial Scholarship Application (available here);
An essay (make sure the applicant’s name appears on all pages);
Submission of transcripts, recommendations, and 2026-2027 FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS);
College students should include both college and high school transcripts.
All transcripts should also indicate graduation date or anticipated graduation date.
A copy of the student’s high school diploma or equivalent or expected graduation date.

Recipients selected from applications submitted by the June 1, 2026, deadline will be selected and notified in the Fall of 2026. Notifications are not sent to those applicants not selected.

One week left to apply to the Moose Lottery

Applications for the 2026 moose permit lottery are only accepted through Monday, May 18, 2026. Don't miss your shot at this challenging and rewarding adventure. Submit your online application today. During the application process, you can indicate your preferences for the following:

Which Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) you’re willing to hunt in;
Whether you’d accept a permit in a different WMD if your top choices are already filled;
Your preferred hunting season - September Bull, October Bull or October Antlerless;
Whether you’re willing to accept an antlerless permit;
Naming a sub-permittee and alternate.

Make sure the name on your application matches your existing record, including nicknames, apostrophes or hyphens and name changes. If you apply and find your bonus points are missing, that means the name on the application and the name of your existing Maine Online Sportsperson’s Electronic System (MOSES) ID didn't match. If your bonus points are incorrect or missing, continue to complete the application and then use this online form to request a review.

The 2026 moose permit lottery drawing will take place Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Acton Fairgrounds in Acton, Maine. More details are coming soon, but this is sure to be an event you won't want to miss! The drawing is scheduled from 1-5 p.m., and results will be available online by 6 p.m. for those unable to attend the drawing.

River Herring Festivals offer a great

way to spend a weekend in May

River herring play a key role in freshwater and marine ecosystems as food for birds, marine mammals, and other fish; bait for the lobster fishery; fertilizer for gardens; a traditional source of food for Wabanaki people; and a delicacy enjoyed across Maine’s coastal communities.

River herring festivals celebrate the annual migration of blueback herring and alewife. You'll have a chance to witness the remarkable spring migration, run or bike along migratory routes, learn about restoration efforts, fish passage improvements, alewife research and the cultural importance of river herring to Maine's tribal communities.

Check out one of the upcoming river herring events:

May 16: Benton Alewife Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.;
May 23: Skutik River Alewife Run, 5 a.m. start time at Spiayik Split Rock, Boat Landing;
May 23: Run with the Alewives, 9 a.m. start time at the Damariscotta Mills Fish Ladder, 335 Bayview Rd, Nobleboro;
May 23: 5th Annual Pennamaquan Alewife Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 12 Little Falls Rd, Pembroke;
May 23: Bagaduce Alewife Celebration, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Pierce Pond, Penobscot;
May 23: Orland Migratory Fish Celebration, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fish Point Rd, Orland
May 23, May 27, May 30, June 2, June 6: Presumpscot Regional Land Trust Alewife Migration Walk. Various times, Mill Brook Preserve, Westboro;
May 1st through early June: Brunswick Dam fish viewing station, Wednesday-Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

To learn more about these ecologically vital species, visit the Department of Marine Resources’ Maine River Herring webpage.

Rev up for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

May marks the beginning of riding season for many motorcyclists here in Maine. It is also Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety would like to remind all motorists that motorcyclists’ safety is everyone’s responsibility. Motorcycle safety is an ongoing issue for all road users. When we consistently follow safe driving and safe riding practices, all motorists can help reduce the possibility of fatalities and injuries due to motorcycle crashes on Maine roadways.

Each year motorcyclists are overrepresented in traffic crashes. Two leading contributors to this reality are often excessive speed and alcohol impairment. It is important to note that while in years past riding was seen as a leisure activity, it is now often a person’s primary or only mode of transportation. It is essential that riders and drivers both pay critical attention to their driving habits and to each other while out on the roads.

Vehicle drivers and motorcyclists can help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on Maine’s roadways by:

Observing all traffic laws and obeying the speed limit;
Driving and riding alcohol and drug-free;
Avoiding distractions while driving or riding;
Yielding to motorcyclists especially when drivers are turning at intersections;
Wearing high-visibility protective gear and DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets.

Early season boating safety reminders

Warm air doesn’t mean warm water. Across Maine, water temperatures remain dangerously cold — even on the hottest spring and early summer days — and that mismatch can turn a fun outing into a life-threatening situation in minutes.

Boating safely and being prepared isn’t just a recommendation, it is an essential responsibility. A few simple precautions can make all the difference for you, your passengers, and everyone sharing the water. Before you launch, here are some important reminders to help ensure your adventure is fun and memorable:

Always wear a life jacket. If you think you will have time to put it on after you are in the water, think again;
Stay alert and be aware of others on the water;
Operate your boat at a safe and reasonable speed for your surroundings. You are responsible for your wake;
Slow to headway speed within 200 feet of shorelines, marinas, and anchorages. "Headway speed" means the slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering and control of the watercraft;
Never drink and drive;
Check the weather before leaving shore and carefully observe changing weather;
Always wear an engine cutoff switch;
Watch out for wildlife;
Become familiar with the water body. Look at a map for depths and any potential hazards. Lake associations, Maine guides and local wardens can be a great resource;
Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated and wear a hat and sunscreen to avoid overexposure to the sun;
Always tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.

Before you head out on the water, you can view Maine’s boating laws here.

Maine State Trivia

What nickname is given to the Kennebunk house built for shipbuilder George W. Bourne in 1825, often called the most photographed house in Maine? (answer at the bottom)

Republican Vision for Maine

In this week’s edition of the Republican Vision Series, Senator Stacey Guerin, R-Penobscot, discusses the upcoming referendum to protect girls’ sports and spaces in Maine.

To watch this week’s Republican Vision, please follow the link provided.

Maine State Trivia Answer

The Wedding Cake House, formally known as the George W. Bourne House, is a famous historic home on Summer Street in Kennebunk. It is widely described as one of Maine’s most photographed houses because of its yellow brick walls and elaborate white “icing-like” Carpenter Gothic trim.

It was built in 1825 by George W. Bourne, a Kennebunk shipbuilder. The original house was a Federal-style brick residence; the dramatic Gothic decoration came later. After a barn fire in 1852, Bourne rebuilt the connected carriage house and barn with Gothic-inspired details, reportedly influenced by the cathedral in Milan, then added matching buttresses, pinnacles and intricate woodwork to the main house.

The romantic story you may hear is that Bourne created the decorations as a wedding gift or to make up for a missed honeymoon or wedding cake. That legend is popular, but historical summaries note that it is not considered true. The “Wedding Cake” name mainly comes from the house’s frosted, tiered appearance.

Connect with us!

Share This Email