Rep. Wayne Farrin, D-Jefferson

The cost of living in Maine is too high, and families across Lincoln County feel it every day. Whether it’s groceries, electricity bills, childcare or healthcare, too many households are finding that their paychecks don’t stretch as far as they used to.

That’s why working to address affordability was one of the Legislature’s top priorities this year.

By Rep. Parnell Terry 

On July 29, most of the laws passed by the Legislature earlier this year went into effect. This includes the supplemental budget, which makes two years of community college permanently free for Maine students.  

The Legislature has completed its work for the 2025-2026 term, and while there is much to report, there is one item I want to be sure our community knows about.

Recognizing that many Mainers are struggling with rising prices from tariffs and the ongoing Iran war, my colleagues and I passed legislation to return tax dollars directly to you. This will come in the form of $300 checks, which will be mailed to roughly 514,000 tax filers starting at the end of July.

AUGUSTA – A new law supported by Rep. Parnell Terry, D-Gorham, to help provide relief for the rising cost of property taxes is now in effect. 

AUGUSTA – A new law sponsored by Rep. Ellie Sato, D-Gorham, to help uphold due process in Maine is now in effect.

AUGUSTA – A new law sponsored by Rep. Kristi Mathieson, D-Kittery, to protect the stability and integrity of Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program (PFML) by prohibiting the creation of private group trusts is now in effect.

AUGUSTA – A new law sponsored by Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth, to expand behavioral healthcare access went into effect this week. 

Behavioral health services, including mental healthcare, substance use disorder services, crisis stabilization and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline will now be more accessible for Mainers – particularly in rural areas – through LD 721, which provides funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. 

AUGUSTA – A new law sponsored by Rep. Drew Gattine, D-Westbrook, to help prevent domestic violence by funding certified intervention programs is now in effect. 

LD 666 provides $500,000 in one-time funding for Maine’s Certified Domestic Violence Intervention Programs (CDVIPs), which are court-ordered and proven to be effective. However, many programs throughout Maine have been at risk of shutting down due to lack of funding.

AUGUSTA – A new law sponsored by Rep. Drew Gattine, D-Westbrook, to provide funding for Maine’s emergency shelters, which help individuals and families experiencing homelessness, is now in effect.

LD 2124 contributes one-time state funds to keep shelters open and reduce costs for municipalities. The primary funding source for emergency shelters has not increased since 2016, despite rising costs for staffing, food, utilities, insurance and security.

AUGUSTA – A law sponsored by Rep. Stephan Bunker, D-Farmington, that will strengthen Maine’s emergency response system by extending the probationary period for public safety dispatchers went into effect yesterday.

LD 2090 permits dispatch centers to establish a probationary period for public safety dispatchers of up to one year in order to provide sufficient time for new dispatchers to learn the position, as well as increase retention rates among dispatchers.