Since Maine’s first case of COVID-19 was announced on March 12, individuals across our state have sprung into action. People in our community have quickly adapted to protect public health, from temporarily closing schools and businesses to moving to remote work, practicing social distancing, and more. I am grateful and proud for the consideration and support we are providing each other, and wanted to provide some additional insight and resources.
Gov. Mills has taken a number of actions to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Maine. Most notably, she proclaimed a state of civil emergency that brings Maine to highest alert and allows Gov. Mills to deploy all available state resources to protect the health and safety of Maine people. It also gives Maine more access to critical federal aid to boost response efforts. At this time, Gov. Mills is also mandating that all non-essential businesses and operations in Maine close their physical locations that are public facing, meaning those that allow customer, vendor or other in-person contact. Dine-in facilities are practicing curbside takeout or delivery, schools have shifted to remote learning and gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited. While these are certainly big changes for our daily life, they are critical to keeping us healthy.
In the Legislature, while our second session generally runs through mid-April, the Presiding Officers made the decision to end our session on March 17. This was done in an effort to adhere to social distancing guidelines and to keep staff, constituents, and our communities safe.
Before adjourning, my colleagues and I passed emergency legislation to help Mainers through this COVID-19 crisis. Among other things, we included provisions to temporarily expand unemployment insurance benefits; empower the state Department of Education to waive certain school day requirements and ensure students continue to receive needed meals while schools are closed; allow remote participation in municipal meetings; establish a consumer loan guarantee program to help eligible Mainers access low- or no-interest loans; and authorize the Governor to prohibit utilities from terminating residential electric and water service during this period. We additionally designated at least $11 million in state funding to further respond to COVID-19.
Because Gorham is a community so driven by our small business economy, I wanted to stress a few resources available to our local businesses and the folks they employ. The US Small Business Administration is offering Maine more access to Economic Impact Disaster Loans. Businesses can check eligibility and apply online. As part of our efforts to make unemployment insurance benefits more accessible, employers can use a Maine Department of Labor program called Workshare to make sure their employees get partial unemployment benefits if their hours are reduced. Plus, we’ve made more consumer loans available at low-to-no interest with the help of Maine lenders.
In addition to our small businesses, I know many of us are worried about how the ongoing COVID-19 response and impacts may affect our farming industry. I am pushing for further guidance and policies from the administration to address the specific needs of our community. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to keep supporting our local farmers and vendors.
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension has created a Farm Product and Pick-Up Directory, which can be found here. This is an incredible resource that is being updated regularly as additional farms are included and product availability is shared.
Finally, if you have questions or concerns about COVID-19, the Maine CDC has set up a hotline that is available by calling 211 or 866-811-5695. It can also be reached by texting your zip code to 207-898-211 or emailing info@211maine.org. And of course, please use me as a resource if you have any questions about any assistance program that may be helpful to you. While the Legislature has adjourned, my staff and I are still here to serve. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via email if there is anything we can do to help.
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