By: Rep. Michael Brennan, D-Portland
I’ve had the opportunity to serve in the Maine Legislature for more than 20 years, and throughout that time, I’ve witnessed many different state budget negotiations. Until this year, though, I’ve never had first-hand experience with those negotiations. Now, as a member of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs (AFA) Committee, which is responsible for crafting and reviewing the budget line by line, I believe without hesitation that we passed the best possible budget for the people of Maine in June.
In a difficult and uncertain fiscal environment, Democrats worked to ensure that this budget embodies two of our core principles: making communities prosperous and supporting the well-being of all families. While Republicans in Washington, D.C. prioritize cutting funding for critical programs, Democrats in the Legislature shaped a budget that makes investments in child care, housing, education, food security and health care in Maine.
Investing in education is investing in Maine’s future. The budget continues building the next generation of Maine’s trades workforce by funding free community college for high school students through the class of 2025. It funds the Head Start preschool program as well as free breakfast and lunch for K-12 public school students. The budget also maintains the state’s commitment to fund 55% of K-12 public education, and it provides funding for the state’s university system and Maine Maritime Academy.
Additionally, the budget rejects proposed child care cuts. Instead, it invests nearly $40 million in Maine’s child care workforce and families who need access to these services – including expanding access to child care in rural areas. It also funds a cost-of-living adjustment for essential direct care workers. Equally important, it stabilizes funding for the MaineCare program that serves 400,000 Maine residents and is a crucial part of the state’s health care system. Finally, the budget will result in more housing being built and ensure that more emergency shelters can stay open.
Predictably, Republicans have criticized the budget for not passing with bipartisan support. Back in January, they drew a bright line in the sand over the issue of revenue – and refused to engage in meaningful compromise. Despite this, we made every effort to work with them, but in the end, we chose to move forward and pass the budget without their support because it was essential for the people of Maine.
As the former mayor of Portland, I know the importance of having the Legislature make timely budget decisions. The Legislature has a responsibility to fund local school districts, allow municipal budgets to be ratified and pay hospitals across the state for the critical care they provide. Without a timely decision on a budget, we risked pausing vital programs our communities rely on. While the federal government continues to abandon its responsibilities to the people of Maine, we stood firm in supporting a budget that prioritizes existing programs that help our children, families and working Mainers.
Next year, the Legislature will continue to address major issues facing our state, including school construction, refinancing special education, operating MaineCare, producing affordable housing and stabilizing energy costs. Moving forward, I hope my colleagues – and my Republican colleagues, especially – will help to champion creative approaches to providing appropriate resources for these and other important issues, with a starting point of having all residents pay their fair share of taxes.
Finding solutions so our communities and families can thrive should be a common goal. More support from Augusta is needed, not less – and Democrats will continue to create a future where all Mainers have a fair shot to succeed.
Rep. Michael Brennan is serving his fourth consecutive term in the Maine House, having previously served four terms in the House and three in the Senate. He represents House District 115, which includes a portion of Portland. He serves on the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.