News
3-25-10 Maine Statehouse Update
Governor's Budget & Legislative Overview
The Appropriations Committee put out a unanimous budget this week - earlier both in time of session and finish time - the first time I remember in a long time at a decent hour, only 7 pm. It took several nights until 2 am to get there, but in the end all members voted for each cut, addition, and initiative, line by line. A budget which began with a $430 million hole ended with about $300 million in cuts, the remaining cuts restored with new ARRA, FMAP (MaineCare) and other Federal funds.
Although both parties are congratulating themselves on their bipartisan achievement, which they absolutely should, the cuts are still quite deep in services for the elderly and education. Next year, with a new Governor and at least 1/3 new legislators, there will be even more cuts if the economy doesn't improve, and likely no new Federal funds to bail them out. With that in mind, our tobacco tax coalition is still talking to the Governor and leadership about increasing the tobacco tax now, so that more money will be available in the next fiscal year. With promises of session ending next Friday, April 2, this may not work, but we are still doing our best.
Priority Areas
Lung Cancer
Tobacco tax: As above - we are working closely with leadership to convince them that the increase in youth smoking is a problem now, which should be addressed now.
LD 1542: "An Act to Make Maine’s Laws Consistent with the Federal Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act" was engrossed in the House today, and next moves to the Senate.
Access to Healthcare
LD 1620: "An Act To Protect Health Care Consumers from Catastrophic Debt" passed both the House and Senate, and is on it's way to the Governor's desk.
Congress: Health Care Reform
As you all know, the House passed the Senate version of health care reform, and President Obama signed it on Sunday. This week the Senate is working on several "fix" bills.