AUGUSTA – Three bills sponsored by Rep. Michael Brennan, D-Portland, that would support Maine’s free health clinics, increase reading and math proficiency in public schools and reduce rates of student homelessness received final support by the House and Senate last Wednesday, June 25. The bills now await final action by Gov. Janet Mills.
LD 70 would provide funding of $50,000 in fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 for Maine’s five free health clinics.
“Too many people struggle to find adequate, affordable health care services in our communities,” said Brennan. “When there is nowhere else to turn, people rely on Maine’s free health clinics to help them. In Portland, the clinic assists over 500 people who receive services from doctors, nurses, social workers and other health professionals who donate their time and expertise to the clinic. The modest amount of state funds provided in LD 70 will help support this ongoing work and assist our Maine residents who need it most.”
LD 324 would allow the commissioner of Maine’s Department of Education to raise and expend private funds to support innovative reading and math programming.
“LD 324 provides us with a pathway to create a more sustainable grant program to support our teachers in implementing best practices in reading and math instruction,” said Brennan. “I am hopeful that this bill will open the doors to more funding in the future for our students.”
LD 747 would provide $250,000 for rental assistance to support homeless students in K-12 schools.
“According to the Maine Department of Education, more than 5,200 students were homeless or experienced some kind of housing insecurity in 2023,” said Brennan. “It is our responsibility, as a state, to make sure that our students have adequate housing. Without it, we cannot expect them to thrive in a learning environment.”
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 Education and Cultural Affairs Committee and the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Brennan) | 305-965-2744