Local legislators submit bills for current session
Local legislators submit bills for current session
By Lucas Knowles
Editor
Now that the session has begun for the 123rd Maine Legislature, local representatives and senators will be looking to get their own legislation passed, along with reviewing the hundreds of other bills that will come before them.
Last week, the new Maine Legislature began its work for this session. Legislators were asked to submit bills last month to be considered during the session. The 123rd Maine Legislature submitted more than 2,400 bills for consideration.
The Leader asked local legislators to outline a few of the bills they are sponsoring or co-sponsoring for the upcoming session.
Rep. John McDonough, a Republican that represents the eastern portion of Scarborough, said he has two bills that he is sponsoring and has submitted. One of those bills would eliminate state excise tax on all new vehicles, while he said the other bill is designed to “protect property damage caused by contractors using heavy equipment.”
Rep. Peggy Pendleton, a Democrat the represents the western portion of Scarborough, said there are “several bills that she has been asked to sponsor or cosponsor.” She outlined three that she thought would generate debate.
The first bill Pendleton highlighted was one that she said is “designed to reduce the size of the legislature.” She said there are other bills aimed at trimming the legislature and feels it is necessary to take a hard look at the legislature.
“There are other similar proposals but they will be sorted out as the session gets going,” Pendleton said. “I really feel that as we are asking others to sacrifice, we should take a hard look at ourselves, the legislature, and see were we can cut.’
The second bill Pendleton outlined was one that would reduce the excise tax on motor vehicles. She is looking to propose a graduated system that she said “will have to be revenue neutral because the proceeds of the excise tax go back to the cities and towns and that may affect property taxes, which is something we are committed to lowering.”
The third proposal Pendleton spoke about is one that would make English the official language of Maine. The measure would be similar to those recently passed in other states.
Phil Bartlett, a Democrat who is beginning his second term in the State Senate representing Scarborough, Gorham and Westbrook, outlined several proposals he is helping to craft.
Bartlett said he “will be submitting several pieces of legislation as part of a four-pronged energy policy for the State of Maine.” He said the policy would promote renewable energy produced in Maine, increase energy efficiency, invest in research and development and leverage Maine's position between Canada and Southern New England. Another of Bartlett’s bills would require the Maine Department of Education to develop a list of safe alternatives to toxic chemicals used in schools, distribute that list to every school district in the state and to maintain a list of schools pledging to be toxin-free.
Another bill Bartlett is helping to craft involves the MaineCare program. He said the legislation would “remove the disincentive to work created by the fact that MaineCare benefits are all or nothing – if you qualify you get full benefits for you and your family, if your income rises $1 over the limit, you lose all benefits” Bartlett’s legislation would propose to continue providing benefits on a sliding scale fee based on income.
State Senator Lynn Bromley (D-Scarborough, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth) could not be reached for comment. In a previous story, Bromley said her top priority for the upcoming session was economic development. Bromley believes the state must increase access to higher education and invest in research and development, connectivity (roads and bridges, high speed internet, etc.) and energy.
Democrats hold an 89-seat majority in the Maine House of Representatives and a one-seat majority in the Maine State Senate.
By Lucas Knowles
Editor
Now that the session has begun for the 123rd Maine Legislature, local representatives and senators will be looking to get their own legislation passed, along with reviewing the hundreds of other bills that will come before them.
Last week, the new Maine Legislature began its work for this session. Legislators were asked to submit bills last month to be considered during the session. The 123rd Maine Legislature submitted more than 2,400 bills for consideration.
The Leader asked local legislators to outline a few of the bills they are sponsoring or co-sponsoring for the upcoming session.
Rep. John McDonough, a Republican that represents the eastern portion of Scarborough, said he has two bills that he is sponsoring and has submitted. One of those bills would eliminate state excise tax on all new vehicles, while he said the other bill is designed to “protect property damage caused by contractors using heavy equipment.”
Rep. Peggy Pendleton, a Democrat the represents the western portion of Scarborough, said there are “several bills that she has been asked to sponsor or cosponsor.” She outlined three that she thought would generate debate.
The first bill Pendleton highlighted was one that she said is “designed to reduce the size of the legislature.” She said there are other bills aimed at trimming the legislature and feels it is necessary to take a hard look at the legislature.
“There are other similar proposals but they will be sorted out as the session gets going,” Pendleton said. “I really feel that as we are asking others to sacrifice, we should take a hard look at ourselves, the legislature, and see were we can cut.’
The second bill Pendleton outlined was one that would reduce the excise tax on motor vehicles. She is looking to propose a graduated system that she said “will have to be revenue neutral because the proceeds of the excise tax go back to the cities and towns and that may affect property taxes, which is something we are committed to lowering.”
The third proposal Pendleton spoke about is one that would make English the official language of Maine. The measure would be similar to those recently passed in other states.
Phil Bartlett, a Democrat who is beginning his second term in the State Senate representing Scarborough, Gorham and Westbrook, outlined several proposals he is helping to craft.
Bartlett said he “will be submitting several pieces of legislation as part of a four-pronged energy policy for the State of Maine.” He said the policy would promote renewable energy produced in Maine, increase energy efficiency, invest in research and development and leverage Maine's position between Canada and Southern New England. Another of Bartlett’s bills would require the Maine Department of Education to develop a list of safe alternatives to toxic chemicals used in schools, distribute that list to every school district in the state and to maintain a list of schools pledging to be toxin-free.
Another bill Bartlett is helping to craft involves the MaineCare program. He said the legislation would “remove the disincentive to work created by the fact that MaineCare benefits are all or nothing – if you qualify you get full benefits for you and your family, if your income rises $1 over the limit, you lose all benefits” Bartlett’s legislation would propose to continue providing benefits on a sliding scale fee based on income.
State Senator Lynn Bromley (D-Scarborough, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth) could not be reached for comment. In a previous story, Bromley said her top priority for the upcoming session was economic development. Bromley believes the state must increase access to higher education and invest in research and development, connectivity (roads and bridges, high speed internet, etc.) and energy.
Democrats hold an 89-seat majority in the Maine House of Representatives and a one-seat majority in the Maine State Senate.
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