by James Cyr | Aug 30, 2018 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – The Maine Legislature this evening gave final approval to several bills designed to protect children following the recent deaths of two young girls, Kendall Chick and Marissa Kennedy, who were the victims of alleged physical abuse. The bills that were passed are: LD 1920: Increases the time for retention of DHHS unsubstantiated child protective services case records from 18 months to up five years. LD 1922: Requires that reasonable efforts be made to rehabilitate and reunify families as a means for protecting the welfare of children, as opposed to current law that requires giving family rehabilitation and reunification priority as a means for protecting the welfare of children. LD 1923: Provides more than $21 million in increased funding for procurement of additional case workers, supervisors, and other child welfare services to support children in the state’s custody. It also provides raises for those working in child welfare services. Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) is the sponsor of LD 1921, “An Act to Grant the Department of Health and Human Services Access to Criminal History Information To Achieve the Purposes of the Child and Family Services and Child Protection Act.” lt seeks to make the sharing of information more readily accessible between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Safety. “None of the child protection bills we considered today will bring back Kendall and Marissa,” Senate President Thibodeau said. “It is clear that much more needs to be done. But hopefully the steps we have taken will help in the ongoing effort to protect our children.” # #...
by James Cyr | Aug 30, 2018 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – The Maine Senate tonight gave final approval to a bill that will align Maine’s tax code to that of the federal government’s. The legislation was introduced earlier this year following a series of federal tax cuts. The bill (LD 1655), “An Act to Update References to the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 Contained in the Maine Revised Statutes” passed unanimously in the Senate. The tax conformity bill will make it easier for Maine families and businesses to file their taxes. Had the Legislature not acted on tax conformity, all Maine taxpayers would have likely been required to file amended 2017 returns and businesses would have had to keep two sets of books, one for federal taxes and another for state taxes. Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) said, “I am very pleased that we were able to get this done for the people of Maine and for the state’s small businesses. I would like to thank Senator Dana Dow for his hard work as chair of the Taxation Committee. He waded through very complex tax policy issues and was able to bring all sides together to put forth a bill that will benefit all Mainers.” Senator Dana Dow (R-Lincoln) said, “This was by far our most important vote this year. I am proud that we were able to get all sides to the table, ultimately passing this tax-neutral legislation with unanimous votes in both chambers. All Maine taxpayers will benefit from tax conformity.” LD 1655 will now go to the governor for consideration. # #...
by James Cyr | Aug 27, 2018 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – A bill designed to improve communication between state agencies following the deaths of two young girls from alleged abuse is being sponsored by Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo). It is one of several child protection bills that will be taken up today in public hearings in front of the Legislature’s Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee. The legislation, (LD 1921) “An Act To Grant the Department of Health and Human Services Access to Criminal History Information To Achieve the Purposes of the Child and Family Services and Child Protection Act” was submitted by the Governor’s Office. The bill seeks to make the sharing of information more readily accessible between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Safety. Senate President Thibodeau said, “When the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing, those who are responsible for protecting our children will not be on the same page. “Similarly, as we saw in both of these cases, neither department knew the full extent of what was taking place in these homes or what measures were being taken to protect these young girls. By granting these two critical departments the ability to have more open lines of communication, we are taking the first step in making sure we do not repeat the mistakes of the past.” Once the child protection bills have been voted on by the HHS Committee, they will go before the full Legislature which is scheduled to next meet this Thursday, August 30th.” Attached is Senate President Thibodeau’s full written testimony to the Health and Human Services Committee.” Testimony...
by James Cyr | Aug 27, 2018 | Uncategorized
Maine’s Health and Human Services Committee will hold public hearings on Monday, August 27, 2018, for several child protection bills. Below are the details. STATE OF MAINE 128TH LEGISLATURE LEGISLATIVE NOTICES JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Sen. Eric Brakey, Senate Chair Rep. Patricia Hymanson, House Chair PUBLIC HEARING: Monday, August 27, 2018, 9:30 AM, Cross Building, Room 209 (L.D. 1919) Bill “An Act To Criminalize the Failure To Make a Report of Child Abuse or Neglect as Required by Statute” (HP1364) (Presented by Representative SUTTON of Warren) (L.D. 1920) Bill “An Act To Modify the Expungement Requirements for Records under the Child and Family Services and Child Protection Act” (SP0754) (Presented by Senator KEIM of Oxford) (L.D. 1921) Bill “An Act To Grant the Department of Health and Human Services Access to Criminal History Information To Achieve the Purposes of the Child and Family Services and Child Protection Act” (SP0755) (Presented by President THIBODEAU of Waldo) (L.D. 1922) Bill “An Act To Amend the Child and Family Services and Child Protection Act” (SP0756) (Presented by Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland)...
by James Cyr | Jun 20, 2018 | Uncategorized
Maine lawmakers returned to Augusta on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 for a special session to take up matters left unresolved when the legislature adjourned in April. Among the most noteworthy issues are tax conformity, funding for schools and direct care workers, minimum wage, Medicaid expansion, and bonds for transportation and higher education. The special session is expected to last several...
by James Cyr | Apr 25, 2018 | Uncategorized
“I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Corporal Eugene Cole, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department, and all who serve in Maine law enforcement. The tragic death of Corporal Cole serves as reminder of the enormous debt we owe to all who work in law enforcement for the sacrifices they make every day, and the risks they take on our behalf to keep our communities safe. “As the search continues for the individual responsible for this senseless act, I hope you will join me in praying for the safety of our officers.” Senate President Michael...
by James Cyr | Apr 17, 2018 | Uncategorized
“I would like to thank the justices for providing clarity on some of the questions the Maine Senate raised regarding ranked-choice voting. Based on the ruling, it is clear that ranked-choice voting will be used for the June 12th primary. “It is also important to note, however, that the court’s ruling was very narrow in scope and only applies to the June primary. “The court did not address the many remaining constitutional questions regarding this system of voting in Maine. “From the beginning, our primary concern has been the integrity of Maine’s voting system, and we remain concerned about the citizens of Maine having confidence in it. “In the short amount of time we have left in the legislative session, we will consider what we can do to ensure the election process goes smoothly on June 12th.” Senate President Michael Thibodeau...
by James Cyr | Apr 11, 2018 | Uncategorized
MLI Committee Bill Summary
by James Cyr | Apr 2, 2018 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – Lawmakers today passed a Senate Order that authorizes the Maine Senate to take appropriate legal action regarding ranked choice voting (RCV). At the heart of the order are questions regarding the separation of powers between the Maine Legislature and the Secretary of State’s Office. Currently, a Maine Superior Court judge is considering a lawsuit by RCV supporters to force the Secretary of State’s Office to implement the system for the June 12, 2018 primary. But today’s Senate Order illustrates numerous constitutional problems with implementation of RCV. The Secretary of State’s Office has indicated it will devise a system for counting votes under the RCV system and then deliver the ballots to a central location, despite the fact that those plans conflict with Maine election procedures that are spelled out in existing statute and in the Maine Constitution. The Secretary of State has also indicated his office is prepared to provide funding for RCV implementation. However, the Maine Constitution clearly states that only the Legislature can appropriate public funding. Senator Roger Katz (R-Kennebec) is the sponsor of the Senate Order. Senator Katz said, “This has nothing to do with whether or not you support ranked choice voting. This is about the integrity of our electoral system. If we are going to switch to a ranked choice voting system, we cannot simply make it up as we go. If we do, we are opening ourselves up to numerous lawsuits by people who will be adversely affected.” “The Secretary of State’s Office does not have the authority to create a voting system on its own. That can only come from...
by James Cyr | Apr 2, 2018 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – The Maine Senate today voted to refer a bill backed by the radical Maine People’s Alliance to the Legislature’s Taxation Committee for closer scrutiny. The bill, “An Act to Establish Universal Home Care for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities,” would create a state bureaucracy to provide in-home and community support services for elderly Mainers, regardless of their income, and fund it through massive tax hikes on Maine’s small businesses. The bill, if approved by voters, would cost of the State of Maine $310 million annually. The bill is the result of a referendum drive backed by the Maine People’s Alliance. Last week, Democrats in the Maine House of Representatives voted against sending the bill to committee where members of the public could testify on the tax increase. “We need to make sure we get this right, and that’s why I supported sending it to committee,” Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) said. “It would be unconscionable to send this out to the citizens of Maine without understanding what the economic impact of this major tax hike would be. Creating law without public hearings has proven to be dangerous in the past. We need to ensure we are getting all of the information about this bill, and today’s action by the Senate will allow us to do that.” With the bill in nonoccurrence between the two chambers, the bill will now back to the House of Representatives for further...
