Historic investments in Maine families

September 8, 2023

Dear Neighbor,

After many long days and nights at the State House, the Legislature wrapped up its work for 2023 in late July! I could not be more proud of all that we accomplished for Mainers.

We passed a historic budget that addresses some of our most pressing challenges and makes long-term investments in our people – all while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Most importantly, this legislation will make it easier for more folks to make ends meet.

It contains more than $100 million to help tackle our current statewide housing crisis by boosting funding for the Rural Affordable Rental Housing Program and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which help incentivize the development of affordable housing. It also funds the creation of the Housing First Program, which will prioritize providing permanent housing and on-site services to persons who have been chronically homeless.

The budget also takes significant steps to improve the current lack of available and affordable child care, which has made it difficult for many Maine parents to fully participate in our workforce. It will invest more than $35 million to double the wage stipend for child care workers while expanding eligibility for assistance to more families – a major boost for our economy.

Additionally, the budget funds the creation of a new paid family and medical leave program, so Mainers will no longer have to choose between a paycheck and caring for themselves or a loved one in need. It funds a new, refundable child tax credit, enabling more families to pay their bills while lowering the rates of food insecurity and child poverty. And it expands property tax relief through the Property Tax Deferral Program and the Property Tax Fairness Credit, helping more Mainers – and particularly, those 65 and older – stay in their homes and age with dignity.

Collectively, these investments make clear what Maine values – our families and our communities. This budget will have a profoundly positive impact on our state.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any ideas, questions or concerns. I am here to serve you.

Sincerely,

Sally Cluchey

Serving House District 52

(207) 814-8879

sally.cluchey@legislature.maine.gov

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ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

I’m excited to share that one of the bills I submitted became law and was partially funded! LD 1767 invests $142,500 in fiscal year 2025 to provide technical expertise (through University of Maine Cooperative Extension) to meat slaughtering and processing businesses. Through my work with the Bowdoinham Food Pantry and my interest in the Hunters for the Hungry program, I learned that the greatest bottleneck to Maine’s local meat supply is the lack of slaughtering and processing facilities. The last legislature invested in infrastructure but did not have the funding to also provide technical expertise, a critical component given that meat production is both expensive and complicated. Because the bill was only partially funded, part of my work this fall will be to seek additional funding from philanthropic organizations across the state.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Bowdoin: In July, I met with the Bowdoin Selectboard to better understand the damage caused by the May Day storm and provided an overview of the various funding options available from the state to assist with culvert repair.

Richmond: We had a great time at Richmond Days in July! Many thanks to the Town of Richmon d and Richmond Recreation.

Bowdoinham: Now that we are out of session, I have loved the opportunity to re-engage with the Bowdoinham Food Pantry on a more regular basis. I was able to assist with the Block Party/Chicken BBQ on Open Farm Day and I’ve taken a few turns staffing the SNAP information booth at the Bowdoinham Farmers’ Market, where this season the Food Pantry began to brew and offer coffee by donation.

PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT ON BOWDOINHAM BRIDGE

The Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) is taking public comment on improvements to the Abagadassett Bridge which carries Route 24 over the Abagadassett River in Bowdoinham.

MaineDOT would like to hear from residents and others who travel this area to present information, gather feedback and answer questions!

Click the link to submit your feedback.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND WHERE TO FIND ME

Thursday, Sept. 14, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Bowdoinham Fire Station): Age Friendly Bowdoinham is hosting a luncheon during which I will talk about the eight referendum questions that will appear on the November ballot, as well as the repeal of the Senior Property Tax Stabilization Act and expansion of existing tax relief programs.

Friday, Sept. 15, 5:30 p.m. (Bowdoinham Community School): 5K Chicken Run and Kids’ 1 Mile Fun Run. This is my fifth year as the race director of this wonderfully fun and wholesome community event. If you or your kids are runners, consider checking it out!

Saturday, Sept. 16, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Celebrate Bowdoinham): I’ll be stationed at the “Elected Officials” tent right next to the Food Pantry’s booth. Swing by, grab a piece of pie from the pantry, rest your feet, learn who your elected officials are and ask them any questions you may have about school, town or state issues.

You can also find me at my office (most school days between 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) at 43 Main Street, Bowdoinham. If you see my car, feel free to pop in and say hi, ask questions or vent about your political frustrations. I’m here for it all!

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY

Maine’s unclaimed property list includes money that belongs to Mainers but is being held by the State Treasurer’s Office because it couldn’t be returned, including bank balances from old accounts, overpaid bills, uncashed checks and more. You can easily search the list for yourself or a family member and claim any property that is rightfully yours. Search your details!

AGRICULTURAL FAIR SEASON

The summer agricultural fair season is well upon us! Agricultural fairs are a fun, educational way to get outdoors, engage with other members of our community and connect with Mainers across the state.

You can find more information, including a full list of upcoming fair dates through October, from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

ANTLERLESS DEER PERMIT DEADLINE

The deadline for antlerless deer permit recipients to claim and purchase their permits is 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2023!

Extra permits (permits not awarded through lottery due to more permits available than applicants) will be available for purchase online only on a first come, first served basis beginning Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.

Visit mefishwildlife.com/deerpermit to claim and purchase permits.

100% VOTING ATTENDANCE

Only 21 state representatives didn't miss a single vote this session, and I am proud to be one of them. You deserve a representative who shows up, learns about the issues, and casts the votes, even when the decisions are hard. I am honored to represent you in Augusta, and I take that responsibility seriously.

There were 367 roll call votes this session. Want to know how I voted on any of those bills? Click this link. Want to chat about any of my choices? Please stop by my office at 43 Main Street in Bowdoinham, send an email or give me a call.