The 124th session of the Maine Legislature came to an end on Monday, April 12. During the four-month long session, the Senate and House passed a bipartisan budget in the face of an unprecedented revenue shortfall, while also advancing job creation, economic development, alternative energy and protecting public health and consumers.
“While we faced historic budget shortfalls and a severe economic recession, the legislature came together to find creative and thoughtful ways to protect our most vulnerable citizens and advance our core values as Mainers,” said House Speaker Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven. “We can all be proud that in addition to meeting an unprecedented budget gap, we also invested in our economy and alternative energy, created jobs, and led the nation in health reform and consumer protections.”
The second session of the 124th Legislature focused largely on balancing the budget. First proposed by Governor John E. Baldacci in December, the plan to bring the budget into balance underwent substantial changes. Due to increased federal participation and a positive rebound in state revenues, cuts to state aid to local education were reduced and many of the most severe cuts to human services were scaled back. Despite the good news, the budget still makes almost $310 million in cuts that will be felt by many Mainers.
The 124th Legislature considered 423 bills and sent nearly 150 to the governor to be signed into law during the shorter, second session, including a bipartisan bond measure that will put thousands of Mainers back to work and protect jobs across the state if approved by voters in June.
“Maine citizens were loud and clear when they called for more jobs – and we delivered,” said Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell, D-Kennebec. “We could not afford to pass up this opportunity to invest in our state’s infrastructure and put Maine families back to work.”
In addition to balancing the budget and creating jobs, the legislature approved first-in-the-nation legislation to protect consumers from catastrophic health care debt and called for the implementation of the first state product-stewardship program that holds manufacturers accountable for recycling and reusing designated consumer products.
“While the budget dominated the headlines, this legislature passed a number of bills that will help improve the lives of all Maine people,” said Senate Majority Leader Phil Bartlett, D-Cumberland. “From investments in renewable energy to stronger consumer protection laws, we have succeeded in strengthening Maine during a time of unparalleled economic uncertainty.”
Lawmakers also passed legislation protecting consumers from predatory credit card practices and debit card surcharges. Other noteworthy laws included establishing a universal childhood immunization program, mandating private insurers give more coverage to children with disabilities, as well as investing in ocean energy and smart grid technology.
“While many states are struggling to close budget gaps, we were able to do so with the strong bipartisan cooperation that Maine people have come to expect from their leaders, said House Majority Leader Rep. John Piotti, D-Unity. “Further, we made important investments in economic development, job creation, and alternative energy that will have a direct impact on our working families and the future of our state.”