• Read more about LaRochelle welcomes St. Michael School student group to State House

Rep. Raegan LaRochelle, D-Augusta, welcomed students and staff of the St. Michael School in Augusta to the State House on Tuesday. Ella Beyea and Kya Douin of Augusta performed the national anthem in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the start of the day's session.

Contact:

Brian Lee [LaRochelle], c. 305-965-2744

Left to right: Sharon Murray (far left), Rep. Raegan LaRochelle (second from left), Kya Douin (back, far left), Ella Beyea (third from left) and John Hickey (far right).

• Read more about Legislature unanimously approves Meyer bill to increase TANF benefits for low-income families

AUGUSTA - This week, the Legislature gave initial, unanimous approval to a measure sponsored by Rep. Michele Meyer, D-Eliot, that would bolster the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program's monthly benefit level to better support Maine families and communities across the state.

• Read more about Sen. Bailey, Rep. Gramlich applaud governor's proposal to support mobile home park residents

AUGUSTA - On Friday, Gov. Janet Mills unveiled her budget change package, which proposes to create a new fund to support the purchase of mobile home parks by their residents.

• Read more about Mastraccio bill to support Maine shelters approved by Legislature

AUGUSTA - Legislation sponsored by Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford, that would increase funding for homeless shelters in Maine, received unanimous approval from the Maine Legislature on Thursday.

The bill would allocate $10 million for ongoing funding for all shelters across the state and an additional $2.5 million for ongoing funding to increase the nightly rate the state pays to low-barrier shelters.

• Read more about Hepler honors Woolwich legislative scholarship winner

Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, and fellow lawmakers welcomed Natalie Emmerson of Woolwich and her family to the State House on Wednesday. Emmerson was awarded the 2024 Legislative Memorial Scholarship for Sagadahoc County.

Contact:

Brian Lee [Hepler], c. 305-965-2744

Front, left to right: Tamas Weisz, Bianca Hare, Rep. Allison Hepler, Natalie Emmerson, House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, and Dean Emmerson.

• Read more about Doudera recognizes Camden student awarded with legislative scholarship

AUGUSTA - Anna Carpenter of Camden was recently awarded the 2024 Legislative Memorial Scholarship for Knox County. The scholarship annually recognizes one student from each county attending a Maine college or technical school and is awarded based on excellence, contributions to the community and more.

• Read more about House approves Lookner bill to better prevent youth from entering Maine's juvenile justice system

AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval on Thursday to LD 1779, sponsored by Rep. Grayson Lookner, D-Portland. The bill would give law enforcement the option to refer youth who are believed to have committed a low-level juvenile crime to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services for a needs assessment.

• Read more about Our foster care children deserve their benefits

Children in foster care are some of Maine's most vulnerable. As of October 2023, approximately 2,500 of Maine's children remain in state custody, many of whom are living with significant developmental, emotional and medical needs.

In our two House districts alone, multiple foster children have been deprived of survivors benefits that could make a profound difference in the quality and trajectory of their lives. Ultimately, under state law, these young people are made to pay for their own care using the benefits due to them as the children of deceased parents.

• Read more about Mastraccio welcomes Maine winner of USA Today's 2024 Women of the Year list to the State House

AUGUSTA - Today, Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford, welcomed Sgt. Colleen Adams of Sanford and her colleagues to the State House. Sgt. Adams was named Maine's winner for the USA Today's 2024 Women of the Year list, an honor given to women who make a difference in their communities every day in every state.

• Read more about Update from Augusta

We are just weeks away from the Legislature adjourning for the year, but there is still much work to be done. I anticipate my next update to you will highlight much of the good work that was accomplished this year. For now, I'd like to focus on two important, timely matters for Islesboro.

President Biden has approved the State of Maine's request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help eight counties, including Waldo and Knox, recover from the January storms that caused severe flooding and devastated coastal communities.