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Dear Neighbor,
I hope you’ve taken some time to enjoy Maine’s short summer. Whether it’s picking blueberries, camping, swimming, boating or grilling. I’ve been canoeing, although not nearly as often as I’ve wanted to.
On July 29, nearly 300 laws that the Legislature passed this year officially went into effect – 90 days after final adjournment of the legislative session.
Over the last few months, the rising cost of living has continued to put pressure on many Maine families here in and across the state. As a result, in this session, it was our priority to focus on policies that will make it easier for working families to build a good life in Maine, along with limiting the damage from federal cuts to healthcare, food assistance and other critical services. I especially want to talk about public education since, in August, our thoughts often remind us that school is right around the corner!
For education, we:
While I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, there is still a lot more work ahead. I will continue to fight for common-sense policies that lower costs, strengthen our communities and help ensure Maine remains a place where everyone can afford to live, work and thrive.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions, concerns or need assistance. I’m not going anywhere.
| | | Join us in Georgetown on Monday, August 17 | | |
Our Marine Resources Committee spent the day in West Boothbay Harbor learning about how lobsters are why we can't have nice things (if you're an aquarium, that is, because they eat everything), why there's an adorable turtle (excuse me, diamondback terrapin), how biotoxins affect the humans who eat our shellfish and how scientists test for it, where the second oldest original lighthouse lives (on Burnt Island) and why such wonderful people volunteer on this island.
The Gulf of Maine Discovery Center is not only one of the educational components of the Marine Resources Department, but also where much of the public health science takes place.
| | Over the past two years, I cosponsored two pieces of legislation that we saw come to fruition at the Commercial Fishermen Remembrance Day ceremonies held throughout the state this year. One bill designated July 21 Maine Commercial Fishermen Remembrance Day to make sure we never forget fishermen lost at sea. Another provided a funding source for technology to reduce fatal fishing accidents. | | |
To help provide some relief in the face of rising costs for Maine households, the supplemental budget includes direct affordability checks for eligible residents. At the end of July, the state started to issue $300 checks to qualifying individuals and $600 checks to married couples filing jointly. Eligible Mainers must meet the following income limits:
- $50,000 for individuals
- $75,000 for heads of household
- $100,000 for married couples filing jointly
To qualify, you must file a 2025 Maine income tax return by Oct. 15, 2026, and meet the applicable income requirements. This includes individuals who may not normally file a tax return, such as those who receive Social Security or disability benefits.
You can check your eligibility and learn more on the Maine Revenue Services website. If you need help filing your taxes, CA$H Maine and AARP Maine offer free tax preparation and assistance to qualifying individuals.
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For many families, summer vacation means tighter food budgets without the help of school breakfast and lunch. SUN Bucks is a federal program that helps families of eligible students buy healthy food over the summer.
If your student was automatically enrolled, you may receive a Pine Tree Card in the mail sometime in the next few weeks. If your family already uses a Pine Tree Card, benefits will be added to your existing card. If you believe your student is eligible but was not automatically enrolled, you can apply for SUN Bucks between now and Aug. 15. You can learn more here.
| | Back-to-School – Set 4 Success Sunday, August 23 | | Be Shark Safe this Summer | | |
With the increase in sightings of white sharks along Maine's coast, including Popham Beach and Reid State Parks, the Maine Department of Marine Resources encourages visitors to take the following precautions:
- Avoid excessive splashing - splashing might mimic an injured fish.
- Avoid wearing shiny jewelry - jewelry reflects light like fish scales.
- Avoid swimming at dawn or dusk and swim with a buddy. It’s important to swim when you can see what’s around you, and with a buddy in case help is needed.
- Stay close to shore or near lifeguards.
- Don’t swim near people fishing.
- Don’t swim near schools of fish or seals. It’s important to stay away from animals or scents that could attract sharks.
- Be careful near steep drop-offs and sandbars - this is where sharks sometimes like to hunt.
- Pay attention to signs and lifeguard instructions regarding sharks.
If you see a white shark, you can be part of the citizen science community and report it on the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity phone app here!
Information on Maine DMR white shark research along with shark facts can be found on this webpage.
| | Stay Safe During Heatwaves | | |
Maine has experienced several periods of extreme heat this summer, and more hot weather is likely in the weeks ahead. Taking simple precautions can help keep you and your family safe.
Extreme temperatures from heat waves can cause power outages and heat-related illness. Check out the Maine CDC’s guide for tips on how to help keep yourself, your family and your home safe and cool this summer.
When the next heat wave arrives, you can also click this link to find a list of local cooling centers open to the public.
| | Maine Blood Supply is Critically Low | | |
For only the second time in its history, the Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis. Blood donations have fallen to a 4-year summer low.
All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O, as the Red Cross is now limiting distributions to hospitals.
Just three more donors at each blood drive this summer can end this crisis and stabilize the blood supply.
Book an appointment to give blood now by visiting https://rcblood.org/appt or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
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