LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
February 29, 2024
Greetings Community Advocates,
As we step into a crucial period of the legislative session, our policy team is tracking a range of significant bills that can shape our community’s future.
In our commitment to mobilize the caring power of our community, we have launched a call to action on LD 2199, a bill to help bring financial stability to Maine’s child care system. These action alerts provide an easy way for any of us to have our voices heard. Read on to learn how you can become an advocate in this campaign.
United Way of Southern Maine (UWSM) stands committed to providing you with insightful analyses and updates on the bills we are tracking this session and more. Thank you for being an advocate and for taking this journey with us!
Make Every Child Count: Advocate for Enrollment-Based Funding to Stabilize Maine’s Child Care System
We ask you to support LD 2199, “An Act to Ensure Subsidy Reimbursements and Emergency Financial Assistance for Certain Child Care Providers.” This bill supports child care providers in Maine by transitioning subsidy payments to an enrollment-based model rather than attendance, establishing an emergency fund for providers facing temporary hardships, and taking significant steps to address the critical shortage of child care services and staff. This bill helps lay the groundwork for a more sustainable, accessible, and quality-driven child care system.
Encourage your state representative to support LD 2199 today.
United Way of Southern Maine was also proud to testify in support of this bill. Read our testimony.
Governor Mills’ Supplemental Budget Proposal
Governor Mill’s recently unveiled an overview of the Fiscal Year 24-25 Supplemental Budget Proposal. There is a projected revenue surplus in the current biennium, and Maine law requires a balanced budget. The proposal outlines a series of financial and policy measures aimed at addressing key issues facing Maine. Key components of the proposal include allocations for savings for future fiscal challenges, enhancements to the state’s mental health systems, initiatives to respond to extreme weather, efforts to address homelessness and increase housing availability, and investments in child safety. Review the full proposed budget.
Similar to how we assess bills, UWSM will be reviewing the budget and its proposed initiatives to determine whether or not we are in support of individual proposals. Stay tuned for UWSM’s positions on the budget proposals.
Legislation Tracked & Monitored in the Second Regular Session
UWSM supports public policies that advance Thrive2027, a 10-year initiative to achieve measurable progress in the areas of education, financial stability, and health.
So far, in this Second Regular Session of the 131st Maine Legislature, UWSM has taken a position to support the following pieces of legislation:
LD 632 — “An Act to Amend the Social Work Education Loan Repayment Program”
Summary: Updates the loan forgiveness program to one developed by the Finance Authority of Maine with stakeholder input. It mandates serving Maine residents, increases the repaid loans annually to 25, and increases the repayment amount to $20,000 per participant. Previously unfunded.
Status: Awaiting action in the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
LD 1074 — “An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for New Affordable Housing”
Summary: Proposes a $100 million bond to construct new affordable housing for low-income families, including new buildings and the adaptive reuse of existing structures.
Status: Public hearing held; work session pending.
LD 1505 — “An Act to Amend the Maine Cooperative Affordable Housing Ownership Act”
Summary: Aims to improve access and sustainability of affordable housing through group equity cooperatives and financial assistance programs.
Status: Engrossed in the Senate; awaiting enactment in the House.
LD 1718 — “An Act to Encourage Participation in Maine’s Essential Support Workforce Through Higher Education”
Summary: Introduces the Essential Support Worker Tuition Grant Program, offering up to 4 vouchers for a year’s tuition (up to $4,000) at specific Maine institutions for eligible workers and their families.
Status: Awaiting action in the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
LD 2136 —”An Act to Provide Financial Support for Shelters for Unhoused Individuals”
Summary: Allocates an additional $10 million to fund existing homeless shelters, responding to the decade-long stagnation of state funding.
Status: Public hearing held; work session held.
LD 2167 — “An Act to Develop Maine’s Economy and Strengthen Its Workforce by Establishing an Office of New Americans”
Summary: Establishes the Office of New Americans within the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, including an advisory council.
Status: Public hearing held; work session pending.
LD 1732 — “An Act to Expand the General Assistance Program”
Summary: Mandates training for administrators on trauma-informed and culturally and linguistically appropriate services within 120 days of their appointment. Aims to make assistance programs more accessible and tailored to diverse populations, enhancing trust and community engagement.
Status: Public hearing and work session held; committee voted ought to pass as amended.
LD 1664 — “An Act to Increase Reimbursement Under the General Assistance Program”
Summary: Increases state reimbursement to municipalities for general assistance costs from 70% to 90%, reducing financial strain on local governments amid rising demands from immigrant and unhoused populations.
Status: Carried over from the last session; currently on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee table awaiting decision.
LD 2167 — “An Act to Develop Maine’s Economy and Strengthen Its Workforce by Establishing an Office of New Americans”
Summary: Establishes the Office of New Americans within the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, including an advisory council.
Status: Public hearing held; work session pending.
LD 1732 — “An Act to Expand the General Assistance Program”
Summary: Mandates training for administrators on trauma-informed and culturally and linguistically appropriate services within 120 days of their appointment. Aims to make assistance programs more accessible and tailored to diverse populations, enhancing trust and community engagement.
Status: Public hearing and work session held; committee voted ought to pass as amended.
LD 1664 — “An Act to Increase Reimbursement Under the General Assistance Program”
Summary: Increases state reimbursement to municipalities for general assistance costs from 70% to 90%, reducing financial strain on local governments amid rising demands from immigrant and unhoused populations.
Status: Carried over from the last session; currently on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee table awaiting decision.
LD 2199 — “An Act to Ensure Subsidy Reimbursements and Emergency Financial Assistance for Certain Child Care Providers”
Summary: Requires subsidy reimbursements for child care providers based on enrollment, not attendance, and establishes a program for emergency financial assistance based on need. This approach aims to stabilize providers’ income and support them through unforeseen financial challenges.
Status: Public hearing scheduled; work session not yet scheduled
Recent UWSM Advocacy Training – Be Sure to Join the Next One!
United Way of Southern Maine is thrilled to report that our recent “Lunch & Learn: UWSM Advocacy Training” webinar was a success! This informative session empowered participants with the skills to effectively advocate within the Maine State Legislature.
Attendees gained valuable insights into navigating the Legislature’s website, crafting and submitting persuasive testimony, and signing up for UWSM’s advocacy alerts to stay informed on crucial advocacy opportunities.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for this enlightening session. Your enthusiasm and commitment to advocacy are what drive meaningful change in our community.
Stay tuned for more training opportunities from United Way of Southern Maine. We’re excited to continue supporting your advocacy journey and look forward to seeing the impact we can achieve together. Keep an eye on our newsletters for future training announcements and ensure you’re equipped to make a difference!
United Way of Southern Maine launches the Housing Crisis Response Fund
Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. For many in Southern Maine, that reality is out of reach. United Way of Southern Maine is launching the Housing Crisis Response Fund to ensure that more of our neighbors have a safe place to call home. This fund will directly support essential community services in Southern Maine that address urgent and critical needs, provide housing with supportive services, and support vulnerable communities. Visit uwsme.org/housingcrisis to learn more and create real community change.If you would like to know more about how you can advocate for a thriving community, please contact us at advocacy@uwsme.org. Thank you for raising your hand and offering your support as a volunteer, donor, and advocate. Together we are creating a Southern Maine where everyone can thrive.
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