AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee voted on Tuesday to advance two bills by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, that would fund the Maine Climate Corps and Maine Service Fellows programs.
LD 142, An Act to Fund Climate-related Service Work, seeks approximately $3.7 million over the next three years to support four Maine Climate Corps program leadership positions and 50 program participants.
LD 143, An Act to Support Rural Service Programming and Promote Volunteerism, seeks approximately $1.1 million over the next three years to support 15 program participants.
Both public service programs were sponsored by Rielly and enshrined into law during the 130th Legislature. They are focused on generating job opportunities for Mainers interested in either working to address our climate crisis or assisting rural communities in building their workforce.
Volunteer Maine, Maine's state service commission, is working with four Climate Corps Fellows and two Service Fellows who will begin their service this spring. The Climate Corps Fellows will work with Downeast Partners, the Community Action Program of Washington and Hancock Counties. The Service Fellows will work in Millinocket to provide assistance with community decisions and planning related to economic development and in Pleasant Point (Sipayik) to help coordinate a community home weatherizing project.
"Volunteer Maine cannot operate effective programs with only four Climate Corps Fellows and two Service Fellows," said Rielly. "There is a strong demand and need among communities across our state, particularly our most rural and vulnerable, for service members. Fully funding these programs is absolutely crucial in meeting our climate goals and giving rural communities the necessary support to address pressing public health needs, workforce development issues and housing demands."
Both bills received support from the Island Institute, Maine Public Health Association, Sierra Club and additional community organizations and members of the public.
Rielly is serving his second term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of the Legislatures Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee. He represents House District 127, which includes a portion of Westbrook.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Rielly], 305-965-2744