3-12-10 Maine Statehouse Update

Maine Statehouse Update

March 12, 2010

Governor's Budget & Legislative Overview

As reported Monday, thttp://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Gov+News&id=86597&v=Article-2006 The Governor presented his second "change package," based on increase revenue both through tax receipts and Federal help, last week.  Yesterday (Thursday) his commissioners reported to the Appropriations and committees of jurisdiction the Governor's plans with the new money.  He wants to fill the cuts to many direct services, revenue sharing with towns, the circuit breaker program, and some to education.  After that, during Taxation's report to the Appropriations committee, they listed possible revenue sources, and included the tobacco tax.  That means the committee has heard this recommendation not only from the advocates (us) but also from two committees of jurisdiction (HHS is the second).

The Appropriations committee worked long hours all week, and plans to work this weekend (today is a state shutdown day).  Although the goal to finish the budget by Sunday, March 14, it seems a bit less stringent, but it still could happen.  With the additional Medicaid matching funds, and other money from Federal programs, there was a big sigh of relief that the worst of the cuts had been avoided - although there is still nearly $300 million in cuts.  This means we have to work harder to convince legislators that 1) youth smoking is an economic as well as health problem, and 2) there is still a mighty big hole, so don't be too relieved. 

Priority Areas  

Lung Cancer

Tobacco tax: This week we begin a full court grassroots and media push - I hope you saw the large print ads and heard the radio ads.  I happened across it a few times channel surfing on the trip to Augusta.  We are also using the Great Lakes Call Center to drum up more calls.  Again, if you have any meetings let people know they can help with this campaign!

LD 1542: "An Act to Make Maine’s Laws Consistent with the Federal Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act"      In one of those "just when you think it's over" moments, this bill to change rules which prohibit some candy and fruit flavored cigars  turned into a tobacco tax bill, so we had to work with the Health and Human Services committee quite a bit to ease confusion about the current law, remind them of the law to ban flavored cigarettes and cigars that they passed three years ago, and enjoy the industry making our case for tax equalization.  In the end, it all seems to have worked out, and although it was certainly not originally a priority, it really helped us with the equalization message.

Access to Healthcare

LD 1620: "An Act To Protect Health Care Consumers from Catastrophic Debt" had it's first vote yesterday, and we won 99 - 38.  MPBN ran a nice story with some of the details.  The Senate should take it up when they return to session on Tuesday.

Congress:  Health Care Reform

Have you seen the petition?  We want to deliver them next week, so if you don't have a stack to bring to your Captain's Meetings, Eileen or Melissa can provide paper copies to you!  Each day we wait, people die.

Megan D. Hannan

Director of Government Relations and Advocacy