5-1-09 Maine Statehouse Update

Governor's Budget & Legislative Overview

The Appropriations Committee began reviewing the Governor's proposed "change package," his new budget recommendations based on revenue reprojections, today.  They plan to work over the weekend nearly nonstop until May 15, or it is done, whichever comes first.  As reported last week, even with stimulus money, our budget faces severe shortfalls.  Here is an overview of the Governor's plans to deal with the shortfall:

In other statehouse news, the H1N1, or swine flu, is the talk of the halls.  Brenda Harvey, Commissioner of Health and Human Services, is giving daily updates to the HHS and AFA committees, as well as the Governor and his senior staff.  Dr. Dora Mills is holding daily "press availability" sessions to answer any questions, so that she and her staff can keep working efficiently and still keep the media and public informed.  For updates any time, visit the Maine CDC flu update site.  The overall advice at this point is not to panic, to wash your hands and cover your cough, just like with any other flu.  While some of us may get symptoms, most of us are healthy enough to be bothered but not severely ill or hospitalized.  ** Because of our unique constituency, it would be wise to be extra careful with immune depressed volunteers and others you come in contact with, such as patients in treatment, elderly, and very young.  If you or a family member is confirmed to have this strain of flu, stay home, even if you don't feel sick; work from home if you can.

Priority Areas  

Lung CancerLD 1347:  "An Act To Deter Initiation of Tobacco Use by Increasing the Tax on Tobacco Products" raises the tax on cigarettes by $1, and is the focal point of our tobacco tax campaign.   It is scheduled for a public hearing May 5 at 1:00.

LD 919:   "An Act To Prevent and Treat Cancer in Maine by Implementing Critical Portions of the Comprehensive Cancer Program" funds the comprehensive cancer program by increasing the taxes on non-cigarette smoking tobacco to be equivalent to cigarettes.   It is scheduled for a public hearing May 5 at 1:00.

LD 943, "An Act To Reduce Lung Cancer Rates in Maine" directs landlords to test their properties for radon.  The public hearing was April 29, and the work session is scheduled for May 13.

LD 1429:  "An Act To Strengthen the Workplace Smoking Laws and Other Laws Governing Smoking" passed today unanimously, with one, minor amendment which is of no concern to us.  There was no opposition, so I see no reason for trouble in the House and Senate.

Access to Healthcare

LD 1228: "Resolve, To Direct Action on Health Disparities of the Passamaquody Tribe and Washington County" directs many groups to form an action plan to combat the unacceptable health disparities in Washington County, particularly within the tribe.  It scheduled for a public hearing Tuesday, May 5.

Comp Cancer

LD 701: "An Act To Fund the Screening and Early Detection Elements of the Statewide Cancer Plan" funds the cancer plan with the Fund for a Healthy Maine.  The committee voted unanimously "ought to pass" yesterday, which sends it to Appropriations to sit "on the table" until they are sure what money is in the Fund, and what should be funded.

LD 781:  "An Act To Designate a Specialty State Lottery Ticket To Benefit Cancer Education and Awareness" creates a scratch ticket to fund the comprehensive cancer program.  The committee originally voted 10 - 3 to kill it, but had another work session today, but still have not gotten to it.

LD 909:  "An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Fund Research and Development for Cancer" creates a $25 million bond to fund cancer research.  It is still in limbo in committee.

LD 919:  "An Act To Prevent and Treat Cancer in Maine by Implementing Critical Portions of the Comprehensive Cancer Program" funds the comprehensive cancer program by increasing the taxes on non-cigarette smoking tobacco to be equivalent to cigarettes.   It is scheduled for a public hearing May 5 at 1:00.

Congress:  Health Care Reform

Maureen and I have been involved in many meetings with our new Health Care Reform Partners (HCRP) this week.  We are working on grassroots, grasstops, and communication plans to influence Senators Collins and Snowe in their decisions on healthcare reform.  We are on the fast track to have plans ready to go today, then will be working on them in the coming months.  Hopefully you all saw Dr. Seffrin's update on the issue today.  On Monday, representatives from small business, consumers, economists, underserved, our own John Whalen and I will be meeting with Sen. Collins via video as a part of this initiative.

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