1-08-10 Maine Statehouse Update

Governor's Budget & Legislative Overview

http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Gov+News&id=86597&v=Article-2006The appropriations committee began listening to testimony about the budget this week, and will continue into next week.  Most advocacy groups are asking for proposed cuts to be reconsidered, but the committee is holding fast so far.  Several commissioners have said that the cuts will hurt people, but that they were given a number to reach.  It remains to be seen if the committee decides to stick with the cuts, or to try to raise revenue to keep from cutting too deeply. 

The group Maine Can Do Better will hold a rally on Tuesday to suggest alternatives to cutting so deeply into services.

Priority Areas  

Lung Cancer

We are meeting with legislative leadership to push the tobacco tax as a powerful public health measure, which will also raise some money to help with the budget problem.  On Tuesday, our partners at the American Lung Association will release their annual report card, which we will use to show that our tobacco tax rate has fallen behind all but one other state in the northeast (NH) and that its time for us to raise it.

Comp Cancer

LD 701: "An Act To Fund the Screening and Early Detection Elements of the Statewide Cancer Plan" will be heard, and likely killed, on Jan. 7.

Access to Healthcare

LD 1620: "An Act To Protect Health Care Consumers from Catastrophic Debt" is the bill of the Maine Voices for Coverage coalition has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing.

Congress:  Health Care Reform

      Maureen and I continue to meet with our Health Care Reform Partners, volunteers, and our Members of Congress and their staff in their Maine offices. 

Save the Date:  Lobby Day is Tuesday, March 2, 2010!  All staff and volunteers are encouraged to attend. 

* The issues that directly impact the NEDiv Business Plan and/or National Scorecard measures in blue bold.