Now that the 131st Legislature has wrapped up most of its work, I’m looking forward to taking a breath and reflecting on the achievements and hard work that have characterized this session. The passage of a supplemental budget was one of the major pieces of work we needed to accomplish, and the meticulously crafted and thoughtful compromise that we reached stands as a testament to the dedication and commitment of my colleagues in the Legislature and Gov. Mills’ administration. This budget not only builds upon the historic and fiscally-responsible budgets passed by Democrats last year, but also addresses Maine’s most pressing challenges today.
Importantly, this budget continues to fulfill the state’s commitment to fully fund 55% of public education costs. Education is the foundation of our society, and by meeting this obligation, we ensure that our children will continue to receive the quality education they deserve while also helping alleviate the burden on municipalities and property taxpayers to fund these expenses. To ensure that we maintain sustainability in education funding, the budget also directs $15 million to the Education Stabilization Fund. Additionally, it sets a future wage floor for school support staff and educational technicians, recognizing the vital role they play in our education system.
Childcare is also an essential component of a healthy society. It is crucial for the wellbeing of children, for working families, employers and Maine’s economy. This budget continues our work to increase the accessibility of childcare by investing in providers throughout our state. It includes initiatives to fund $12.9 million in childcare stability grants and $1.5 million for eligibility changes for childcare subsidies.
We also took seriously the need to make health care more affordable for more Mainers, especially older folks. That’s why the budget allocates $14.1 million to fully fund the income eligibility expansion for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program. This will assist lower-income Medicare recipients in affording out-of-pocket expenses, providing them with much-needed support. In recognition of the critical role played by nursing homes in our community, the budget also sets aside $26 million to support these facilities.
Maine’s housing crisis continues to be a pressing issue affecting individuals and families throughout the state. To address this challenge, the budget allocates $76 million to increase affordable housing options. This includes investments in emergency housing, low-income housing tax credits, and programs such as the state’s Affordable Homeownership and Rural Affordable Rental Housing programs. By expanding access to affordable housing, we aim to alleviate the burden faced by many Mainers and help set folks up for success. Furthermore, recognizing the importance of mental and public health, the budget includes transformational funding for behavioral health care.
This includes the establishment of multiple new crisis receiving centers, ensuring that individuals in need of immediate assistance have access to the care they need. Additionally, the budget provides critical support for mass violence survivors and victims of violent crime, acknowledging the long-lasting impact these events can have on individuals and communities.
This budget includes many more initiatives not mentioned here, such as critical storm relief funding, emergency assistance for dairy farmers, support for Maine Veterans’ Homes and more. As we close this legislative session, I am confident that the passage of this thoughtful supplemental budget will have a positive and lasting impact. It speaks to our commitment to addressing the pressing needs of our state and ensuring a brighter future for all Mainers.
Rep. Maureen “Mo” Terry, D-Gorham, is serving her fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives. She is the House Majority Leader, where she serves as head of the Democratic caucus. Outside of her legislative work, Rep. Terry is a chef and small business owner. Contact her at maureen.terry@legislature.maine.gov.