Legislative Update from Augusta

May 12, 2023

Dear Neighbor,

We are more than halfway through the legislative session here in Augusta, where we’ve been making progress on the many bills before us this year.

Committee work remains in full swing. On the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee, we’ve been hosting public hearings and evaluating bill proposals on increasing access to high quality dental care, including LD 1581. On the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, we’ve been holding public hearings and evaluating bill proposals on protecting our lakes and ponds from invasive aquatic plants. I proposed a compromise amendment on a highly controversial coyote bill, LD 814, that would have kept the hunting season for coyotes the same, but amended our hunting laws to return coyotes to the wanton waste list. Although the amendment did not pass in committee, I do plan to speak to it on the house floor because I believe it is a good policy. Overall, more than two dozen pieces of legislation have already become law this session. You can read through the full list here.

Among the bills I introduced this session, LD 1767, An Act to Develop and Provide Technical Assistance for Meat Slaughtering and Processing had its work session on Wednesday, May 10. It received a unanimous ought to pass vote from the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee! LD 1521, An Act to Support the Essential Support Workforce by Promoting Enhanced Reimbursement and Benefits and Encouraging Information Sharing had a public hearing on April 20 and will be scheduled for a work session soon. My last bill, LD 1238, An Act to Require Reporting on the Percentage of Approved Care Being Delivered to Individuals was unanimously voted ought not to pass by the Health and Human Services Committee. But the feedback given by the committee combined with some happenstance testimony that I heard moments later in another committee opened my eyes to a possible path forward for my bill in future sessions.

Additionally, we passed a continuing services state budget in March that delivers on our promises to Mainers to provide property tax relief, meets our commitments to our state’s municipalities and maintains critical funding for education. Maine people and businesses deserve predictability, stability and good governance, and that’s exactly what this budget delivers. Later this session, the Legislature will pass the second part of the biennial budget to fund new initiatives.

I’m looking forward to continuing this work for our communities and all the people of Maine. As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any ideas, questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Sally Cluchey

Serving House District 52

(207) 814-8879

sally.cluchey@legislature.maine.gov

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AT THE STATE HOUSE

I recently testified in support of LD 1412, also known as the Equal Rights Amendment. This bill proposes an amendment to the Maine Constitution establishing that, “All Maine people, regardless of their actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical or mental disability, ancestry or national origin are protected equally under the law.”

The only way to amend the Maine Constitution is to get 2/3rds of the House and the Senate to pass it, then it goes to the ballot where it would need to be approved by Maine voters. While previous legislatures have failed to advance the Equal Rights Amendment, I am hopeful that this is the year our legislature gives the people that choice.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

Important Dates:

Bowdoin

MSAD 75 School Budget Referendum: May 18th (Orion Performing Arts Center).

Bowdoinham

MSAD 75 School Budget Referendum: May 18th (Orion Performing Arts Center).
Bowdoinham’s Town Meeting: June 14 at 7:00 p.m. (Bowdoinham Community School).
The 50th and final Bowdoinham Plant Sale to benefit the library is May 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Bowdoinham Town Hall).
Bowdoinham Food Pantry 10th birthday party: May 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Outside the Bowdoinham Food Pantry).

Richmond

Town Selectboard Meetings: May 15 and May 30 at 5:30 p.m.
Richmond Town Meeting: June 6 at 6 p.m. (Richmond High School).

IN THE COMMUNITY

I’m acutely aware of the increasingly fragile state of our three town’s access to EMS services and have been actively working with all members of the Public Safety Committee, the Speaker of the House and the Governor’s Office to ensure that towns like ours are not overlooked as they plan to provide emergency support funding for EMS services and develop long term solutions for sustainability.

I am also aware that many residents in Richmond are losing sleep due to the uptick in large trucks and their use of jake brakes at all hours of the day and night. By working with the town manager, selectboard, Department of Transportation and Department of Public Safety, I am hopeful that actions are being taken to improve the situation in the coming weeks.

Lastly, I want to acknowledge the tremendous shock, fear and pain that our communities have experienced since the terrible shootings in Bowdoin and Yarmouth. None of us should have to experience such atrocities. If you find yourself needing to commune with others around these events, I encourage you to reach out to neighbors and friends. Healing is easier when surrounded by community.

LEGISLATIVE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Each year, the Legislature recognizes one student from each of Maine’s 16 counties with a $1,000 scholarship!

To be eligible, students must be currently pursuing or planning to pursue an education at a two- or four-year degree-granting Maine college or technical school.

Applications are due on June 1. To learn more and apply, click here.

FIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR SPRING FIRE SEASON

As spring temperatures rise, the risk of wildfires also increases. About 90% of all wildfires are caused by people, and this year, there have already been more than 40 reported across the state, which have burned more than 100 acres.

Visit the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s website to learn more about wildfires in Maine and how to prevent them.