On July 29, most of the laws passed by the Legislature earlier this year went into effect. This includes the supplemental budget, which makes two years of community college permanently free for Maine students.
This program isn’t just about making sure more Mainers can go to college – it’s about ensuring the next generation of workers can build their futures right here at home. One of the biggest issues I hear from Gorham businesses is that they can’t find enough skilled workers to fill their job openings. Making free community college permanent will help more Mainers access good-paying jobs that are also in high demand right now.
The Maine Free College Scholarship covers tuition and mandatory fees for eligible recent high school graduates pursuing associate degrees or workforce credentials at Maine’s seven community colleges, including Southern Maine Community College – just 30 minutes from Gorham, which offers EMS and firefighter training programs, dental assistant and phlebotomy courses, nursing and precision machining degrees, plumbing certificates and more.

The free community-college program began in 2022 and has reduced barriers for students who may not otherwise be able to afford higher education without taking on significant debt. Recent graduates are working in healthcare, manufacturing, construction and more. For more information, visit https://www.mccs.me.edu/free-college/.

Expanded access to education supports individual Maine graduates while developing our workforce statewide, training skilled workers in high-demand industries. Whether students use the program to gain hands-on skills in the trades or as a first, money-saving step toward a four-year degree, free community college helps connect Mainers with employers to find good-paying jobs.

Last year, I also supported legislation that strengthens our trade workforce by expanding access to certified pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training programs. To reduce barriers that prevent more Mainers from working in the trades, LD 1117 provides grants to help cover childcare, transportation, training materials, membership fees and costs, tools and personal protective equipment expenses to facilitate attendance and participation in training programs.

As the tradespeople we depend on begin to retire, both free community college and more accessible apprenticeship programs will help alleviate workforce shortages.

For individuals who have already graduated with student loan debt, the Student Loan Repayment Tax Credit can be claimed with their Maine state tax return to provide up to a $2,500 reimbursement for student loan payments made during the previous year. Visit www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/tax-relief-credits-programs/income-tax-credits/student-loan-repayment-tax-credit to learn more.
In addition to these recent workforce development measures, this year’s supplemental budget includes measures to address the cost-of-living crisis, including funding to increase property tax relief, clear childcare waitlists and send $300 affordability relief checks to eligible Mainers over the next several weeks to help cover essentials like gas and groceries.

While there’s a lot more work to be done, I’m proud of these measures to increase opportunities for our young people to access good-paying jobs right here at home and support the industries that our community depends on.
In all my legislative work, I will remain focused on fighting for measures that lower costs for working families, so more folks in Gorham can get ahead and stay ahead.

I can best represent our community by hearing from you about issues both in our district and across the state. Please feel welcome to reach out to me at Parnell.Terry@legislature.maine.gov if you have any questions or concerns about available state programs and tax credits, or need assistance accessing other support.

Rep. Terry is serving his first term in the Maine House and represents part of Gorham. Terry is a member of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.