AUGUSTA - The Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government voted to advance LD 1010, An Act To Establish the Maine Service Fellows Program, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, on Wednesday.
The Maine Service Fellows Program is designed to recruit and retain young adults and recent college graduates to live and work in rural and underserved Maine communities. Fellows will assist with providing critical COVID-19 economic relief, in addition to working on projects related to public safety, education and the environment. The bill would create a three-year pilot program that will have fellows serve in year-long increments.
"LD 1010 creates a new opportunity for young Mainers to stay here and serve in communities across the state," said Rielly. "Given the shortage of workers in Maine, the longstanding issues we continue to face in rural communities, the crucial need to retain younger people in the state and the new issues that have arisen from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maine Service Fellows Program is needed now more than ever."
The measure is supported by Democratic, Republican and Independent lawmakers, including the youngest members of the Maine House, Rep. Nate Carlow, R-Buxton, and Rep. Sophie Warren, I-Scarborough.LD 1010 will face additional votes in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Rielly is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs. He represents a portion of Westbrook.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Rielly], c. 812-1111