By Rep. Parnell Terry 

While it might not always feel like it outside, Spring is officially here – and that means that the tax filing deadline of April 15 is just right around the corner. While I don’t think anyone enjoys doing their taxes, I want to highlight a measure that the Legislature has passed recently to put money back into the pockets of working Mainers, along with some existing tax credits and filing resources that could hopefully make this year a bit less painful.  

AUGUSTA – A majority of the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee voted recently to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Gerry Runte, D-York, that allows towns to purchase electricity based on the priorities of their residents, like lower rates or from renewable sources, without taking over the responsibility of delivery and billing from utilities. 

Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, welcomed “the Getchell gang,” family and friends of the late Gary Getchell of Dresden, to the State

AUGUSTA – A measure sponsored by Rep. Dan Ankeles, D-Brunswick, to help protect drinking water from forever chemicals in private wells received final passage in the Maine House. The bill received bipartisan support with a vote of 104-37.  

AUGUSTA – On Thursday, March 12, a measure sponsored by Rep. Kilton Webb, D-Durham, to help lower electricity costs for Maine families received unanimous, bipartisan support in a final passage vote in the Maine House of Representatives.  

AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously to advance a bill from Rep. Julie McCabe, D-Lewiston, that would help prevent cybersecurity attacks on Maine hospitals and ensure continuity of patient care when future cyberattacks occur. 

Hepler is serving her fourth term in the Maine House and represents Arrowsic, Georgetown, Phippsburg, West Bath and Woolwich. She is House chair of the Marine Resources Committee and a member of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.

By Rep. Kilton Webb, D-Durham 

In the Legislature, one of the issues I hear from constituents more than any other is that the rising cost of living is making it difficult for working families to make ends meet. The increasing costs of housing, health care, child care, groceries and other everyday essentials are making it harder for Mainers to get by, let alone get ahead. Energy costs are also near the top of the list.  

AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s Labor Committee voted unanimously of those present on Tuesday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Amy Roeder, D-Bangor, that would ensure highway maintenance workers killed on the job in Maine receive death benefits commensurate with the danger of their profession.  

Roeder put forward the legislation after two workers from the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT), James Brown and Dwayne Campbell, lost their lives in the line of duty in a horrific accident on January 13. 

Photo: Rep. Kilton Webb, D-Durham, speaks with a local union member, Nicole Yim, about legislation to support workers’ rights during Labor Lobby Day at the State House last Thursday, March 5.

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