With the start of the new year comes the second session of the 129th Legislature, commonly referred to as the “short session” because of its scheduled April adjournment.
We have a number of significant measures to work on when we return. During the offseason I have co-chaired a bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission to Study and Recommend Funding Solutions for the State’s Transportation System. We have worked for several months to put together proposals to close our transportation funding gap. Industry experts, policy analysts, Maine Department of Transportation officials, legislators and other stakeholders have collaborated to bring recommendations before the Legislature.
Over the last several months, we have looked at a host of options, from raising fees on hybrid and electric vehicles to shifting revenue from the general fund and raising the gas tax, which has not seen an increase in Maine since 2011. While our December meeting was set to be our last, we on the Commission have asked for an extension to finalize our proposal.
In addition to the pressing issue of transportation funding, we will hold public hearings and work sessions for over 400 bills this session, some of which were carried over from last session and some that were classified as of an “emergency nature” by the 10-member Legislative Council made up of legislative leaders.
Last session we expanded MaineCare as approved by the Maine voters. Strengthening healthcare remains a priority, and there are several bills I am following closely this session that aim to do this. LR 3128, a bill to place a cap on the out-of-pocket cost for insulin, and LD 1453, which seeks to improve dental health for low-income Mainers, are two such bills.
We are also focused on how to better support our students. Last year we increased funding for K-12 education and added $35 million for higher education and training programs at Maine’s public colleges. This year we will continue to push for more funding for our schools, and we will also look at reducing student debt, providing additional support to special education programs across the state and better supporting Maine’s career and technical education programs.
We anticipate several bills to come before us from the work of the Indian Land Claims Task Force, which was established last session with the goal of improving the Land Claims Settlement Act and increasing tribal sovereignty. We must begin to repair our relationship with Maine’s tribes and acknowledge our shared history.
I will also continue to serve in my role as House chair of the Transportation Committee.
As always, please feel free to contact me with your questions or if you are having trouble navigating state agencies. Hearing your thoughts on the issues before our state is crucial to the work we do at the State House. It is an honor to continue to serve as your state representative. Happy New Year!
Rep. Andrew McLean, D-Gorham, is serving his fourth term in the Maine House. He is House Chair of the Transportation Committee and represents parts of both Gorham and Scarborough.
(207) 939-8482 | (800) 423-2900 | andrew.mclean@legislature.maine.gov