AUGUSTA - A bipartisan measure to establish the Maine Services Fellow Program, LD 1010, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, was signed into law last week by Gov. Janet Mills.
The measure is supported by Republican and Independent lawmakers, including Rep. Nate Carlow, R-Buxton and Rep. Sophie Warren, I-Scarborough, who are both cosponsors of the measure. LD 1010 addresses a crucial gap in service programming, particularly in underserved, rural communities. Fellows will work in multiple sectors including housing, substance use prevention and treatment and workforce development.
Rielly sponsored a similar measure, LD 722, that creates a study to establish the Maine Climate Corps and works in tandem with the Maine Service Fellows Program. Under the measure, the Maine Commission for Community Service will study and identify short-term projects in state agencies that will address the state's shifting and expanding climate challenges. Gov. Mills also signed this bill into law last week.
"I look forward to working with the Maine Commission for Community Service on establishing the Maine Climate Corps," said Rielly. "I also want to thank Director Hannah Pingree and her office for their support and advocacy for this new service opportunity. Both the Maine Service Fellows Program and the Maine Climate Corps, which complement one another, are critical to strengthening our workforce and addressing the most pressing issues in our state, particularly in rural and underserved communities."
Both measures could be funded using federal monies allotted to Maine under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
"The programs must be funded sufficiently to be successful," said Rielly. "I am confident that both programs would prove to be an excellent use of ARPA funds and a great investment for Maine's workforce. There is a generation of young Mainers who are ready to serve our rural communities and work together to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis. We are so close to giving them this chance with a fully-funded Maine Service Fellows Program and Maine Climate Corps."
Rielly is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives as a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs. He represents a portion of Westbrook.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Rielly], c. 812-1111