​SACO - Former State Senator Justin Chenette, of Saco, has announced he is running for a seat on the York County Commission in next year’s election.
 
“I’m running to be your next county commissioner to fight every single day for a more accessible, transparent, and accountable government -- just like I’ve done in the legislature,” says Chenette. “We should expect more from our elected officials than just the bare minimum; They should be accountable to you.”
 
One of the biggest issues Chenette sees is the lack of engagement and awareness of what is happening with county government. 
 
“The county commission shouldn’t be Maine’s lost level of government. Sadly, we don’t see a lot of attention paid to county government actions and that directly stems from our elected officials not engaging the public throughout the decision-making process. I’m seeking to change that with a new generation of leadership on the commission.”
 
Chenette plans to hold monthly office hours, attend community events, and provide frequent updates through social media, email newsletters, and newspaper columns to keep the public informed and to get direct feedback. He also wants to see commission meetings held in the evening instead of during the day to encourage greater participation. 
 
If elected, Chenette would be the first millennial ever elected to the commission, at age 30, and would be the only commissioner who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. He previously made history as the youngest lawmaker in the country when he was first elected to the Maine House of Representatives at age 21. He served a total of 8 years in the legislature, with two terms in the House and two terms in the Senate, including a stint as chairman of the bipartisan Government Oversight Committee. 
 
Chenette is currently the only registered candidate with the Maine Ethics Commission for the District #3 seat which includes Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, Buxton, and Dayton, though the district is subject to redistricting changes. The commission term is 4 years and the Primary Election is set for next June. 
 
To view Chenette’s full action plan, visit www.AccountableToYou.org. 

​SACO – Former State Senator Justin Chenette has indicated interest in filling the Ward 5 vacancy on the Saco School Board, after Art Tardif resigned last month due to medical reasons. 

“As a proud product of Saco schools, I would be honored to step in to assist the board over the next few months until the newly elected board member is sworn in,” said Chenette. “Because of the shortened timeframe, my experience in the legislature and on the state board of education, in addition to my longtime connections in our schools, will enable me to hit the ground running.”

In 2008, Chenette was appointed by Governor John Baldacci as the first student member on the Maine State Board of Education. There he approved school construction projects, similar to the one being planned for Young School.
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Between 2012-2020, Chenette represented the Saco area as both a Senator and Representative in the legislature, working to increase the state’s share of education funding, updating the state’s anti-bullying laws, and successfully passing legislation to make service learning a component of Maine’s high school graduation standards.

“I’ve spent a great deal of time in our local schools teaching Saco students about how their government works, reading to them, and empowering them to use their voice to make a difference. They inspire me to advocate for the best interests of those in the classroom,” he said.

Chenette previously provided arts grants to Saco Middle School and CK Burns to improve their performance stage, purchase over 20 instruments, and double the strings budget.

The Ward 5 term is set to expire in December. According to rules outlined in the city’s charter, the school board must appoint someone to fill a vacancy when the remainder of the term is less than a year. The Saco School Board is currently fielding letters of interest from Ward 5 residents prior to an interview process, vote, and swearing-in.

Chenette has also been named a Maine-Canadian Legislative Advisory Commissioner to engage in regional cooperation through economic, cultural and educational exchanges. The purpose of this commission is to strengthen the relations between the legislature and their legislative counterparts in Canada.

“Our area relies heavily on Canadian tourism to benefit our local small businesses,” says Chenette. “As commissioner, I hope to bring about further awareness and attention around how we can work together across the border for mutual benefit.”
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Both appointments do not require Senate approval and begin immediately. Chenette previously served 2 terms in the House and 2 terms in the Senate and chaired the Government Oversight Committee. 

ROCKLAND — The Worthington Scholarship Foundation, with a mission to create a pathway to college for students throughout Maine, has hired Justin Chenette of Saco as its new program director.
Chenette spent nearly a decade in public office having served 8 years in the legislature, with two terms in the Maine House of Representatives and two terms in the Maine Senate. At the time, Chenette was the youngest lawmaker in the entire country at age 21. Prior to that, Chenette made history as the first high school student appointed to the Maine State Board of Education and in college, was a congressional intern.
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“There is no greater gift than the gift of education,” says Chenette. ‘The Worthingtons’ are providing Maine’s next generation a lifeline to success through their charity and support. I’m honored to be part of a great team advancing the mission of getting more Maine students into higher education without affordability being a barrier.”

Chenette’s education includes a B.S. in Broadcast News from Northern Vermont University-Lyndon and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, after receiving a national fellowship. This month, Chenette earns a Post-Baccalaureate Degree in Public Administration from the University of Maine at Augusta.

“We are thankful to have someone with Justin’s background and passion for youth engagement helping to lead this effort,” said Rick Bedigian, the foundation’s executive director. “He will be a key asset as we seek to expand to more parts of the state.”

The Worthington Scholarship Foundation provides one of the largest scholarships in the state of Maine, totaling up to $16,500 per student over four years. This year, the foundation will award more than $3 million worth of scholarships to students going to college in Maine. Aside from funding, the scholarship includes ongoing support to their student scholars to ensure a high graduation rate.
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Worthington Scholarships began in 2010 with awards to graduates of just Oceanside High School. Since then, the program has expanded to high schools in Knox, Waldo, Lincoln, Hancock, and Washington counties. Recipients may attend any campus of the University of Maine or Maine community college system, Maine Maritime Academy, Husson University, Thomas, Bates, Colby or Bowdoin colleges.   
Future goals are to accept graduates in 6 additional counties of Oxford, Somerset, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Franklin, and Sagadahoc. 

FMI about the scholarship program visit www.worthingtonscholars.org. 

​Excited to announce that I’ve officially been appointed to the newly formed Saco Long-Range Planning Committee! It’s critical that we make decisions today with an eye towards our city’s future.

The Mayor and the city council have taken an important step to ensure we are constantly thinking about the direction we’d like to take as a community. Looking forward to working alongside city and school staff, local organizational leaders, and fellow community members to chart what comes next for a place we all love so much.

​Through public input and transparent strategic planning, we can ensure Saco is the place to be for future generations to live, work, and play. The goal will be to continue improving Saco through effective growth management, responsible economic development, and carefully considered infrastructure improvements, among other things. Appreciate Mayor Doyle’s trust in me and for the unanimous vote of confidence from the City Council. Looking forward to bringing my public service a little closer to home. 

​SACO – State Senator Justin Chenette has announced he is withdrawing from the Senate District 31 race, which includes the communities of Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, Limington, and part of Buxton.
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Chenette has served 4 consecutive terms and 8 years in the Maine Legislature with 2 terms in the House of Representatives and most recently 2 terms in the Senate. When he was first elected in 2012, he made history as the youngest lawmaker in the country.

“Looking back, I’ve spent every single year of my twenties running for and serving in the Legislature starting at age 20, being sworn into office just a week before graduating from college,” says Chenette. “After spending nearly a decade in office, this decision will enable me to amplify my impact in whatever I decide to do next and was made easier knowing that the district will be in very capable hands.”
Chenette points to the passage of his comprehensive campaign finance reform package this past session as his biggest legislative policy achievement.

“We moved the needle on money in politics, lobbyist influence, and created a more ethical state house so that your voice is heard over donors, corporate lobbyists, and special interest groups that write the biggest check,” says Chenette.

Instead of running for re-election, Chenette plans to empower the next generation of voters through the launch of a civics education organization called the Maine Democracy Project, will publish a full-length children’s book version of his state government coloring book The Great Whoopie Pie Debate, and will be working to help retain Democratic majorities in the Legislature.

Chenette currently serves as the chair of the Government Oversight Committee, co-chair of the Democracy Reform Caucus, chair of the Marijuana Advisory Commission, and is a member of the Environment & Natural Resources Committee, Senate Ethics Committee, Maine Climate Council’s Coastal & Marine Working Group, and is also a Citizen Trade Policy Commissioner.
The York County Democratic Committee will hold a caucus before the August 25th deadline to replace Chenette on the ballot. 

​​SACO – A senior at Thornton Academy has received a public service scholarship for his commitment to helping others.

Brady Forbes of Saco, was recognized with a $500 scholarship from Senator Justin Chenette’s nonprofit scholarship fund. The Spirit of Service Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who has demonstrated a passion for helping others, strong leadership skills, and has worked to improve the community outside of the school’s campus.

“Brady is on a path of public service and truly represents the goal of this scholarship which is to empower the next generation of civic leaders,” says Justin Chenette, President of the Chenette Scholarship Fund. “He and his family give back everyday and Brady looks to continue on the family tradition of going into law enforcement.”

Forbes’ father is in the state police and both of his brothers are local police officers.

At Thornton, Forbes played numerous sports including Football and Hockey and volunteered in the community via the Saco Bay Center for Civic Engagement, Salvation Army, and numerous civic activities on campus.

Forbes plans to attend Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire to study criminal justice and law enforcement on a path to become a police officer.  

For more information about the scholarship and to donate to help future students, visit www.ChenetteScholarships.org. 

For families
 
Unemployment benefits

• An additional $600 unemployment benefit, on top of the current state maximum payment of $431 per week
• An additional 13 weeks of federally-funded unemployment benefits, on top of the 26 weeks already provided in Maine
• Expansion of unemployment program to part-time workers, self-employed workers, sole-proprietors, and gig economy workers to access unemployment benefits

 Direct cash payments

• $1,200 to anyone whose adjusted gross income is under $75,000 per year ($2,400 for married couples earning under $150,000), plus $500 per child under age 17
• Reduced payments for those earning between $75,000 and $99,000 per year
• Expected to sent by April 6

 Nutrition

• $15.5 billion in additional funding for supplemental nutrition programs to ensure seniors and children receive the food they need
• $8.8 billion in additional funding for child nutrition programs in order to ensure children receive meals while school is not in session
• $450 million to provide funds critical to food banks

 Daily life and housing

• $50 million for legal aid needs for low-income Americans facing job losses, eviction, domestic violence and consumer scams resulting from the coronavirus crisis
• $900 million to help lower income households heat their homes
• $200 million for shelter, food and supportive services to individuals and families in sudden economic crisis
• $425 million to increase access to mental health services in our communities through community behavioral health clinics, suicide prevention programs, and emergency response
• $4 billion for eviction prevention activities including rapid rehousing, housing counseling, and rental deposit assistance will mitigate the adverse impacts of the pandemic on working families and individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• $3 billion to help more than 4.5 million low-income households currently assisted by HUD to safely remain in their homes or access temporary housing assistance in response to economic and housing disruptions caused by COVID-19
• $1.935 billion to allow public housing agencies to keep over 3.2 million Section 8 voucher and public housing households stably housed
• $65 million for housing for the elderly and persons with disabilities for rental assistance, service coordinators, and support services
• $100 million to help ensure rural Americans have access to broadband to make telehealth and working from home more accessible
• $3.5 billion to allow child care programs to maintain critical operations, including meeting emergency staffing needs and ensuring first responders and health care workers can access child care while they respond to the pandemic

 
For small business owners
 
Direct assistance

• $14 billion for the Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize the price of agricultural products, like the Maine potato industry
• $9.5 billion to assist specialty crop producers; producers who support local food systems such as farmers markets, schools, and restaurants; and livestock producers, including dairy
• $1.5 billion to help rebuild impacted industries such as tourism and manufacturing supply chains
• $50 million to help small- and medium-sized manufacturers recover by finding value within the supply chain and expanding markets
• $300 million to help fishermen, including aquaculture, struggling due to disappearing economic markets caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic
• $17 billion for the SBA to cover six months of payments for small businesses with existing SBA loans. Rent, mortgage and utility costs now eligible for SBA loan forgiveness

Loan assistance

• $562 million to support loans to businesses that need financial support during this difficult time.  These loans will help businesses keep their doors open and pay their employees
• $10 billion in direct grants for businesses that do not qualify for SBA disaster loans, and $17 billion to have SBA step in and make six months of principle and interest payments for all SBA backed business loans.  All these measures combined will relieve financial stress from struggling businesses and inject much needed capital into the economy.

Assistance to retain employees

• Funding to help administer the new tax credits for paid leave, which allow employers to use money that otherwise would have been paid in payroll taxes to pay employees on sick leave or paid family leave related to COVID-19

  
For state-level recovery

• $1.25 billion to Maine in 2020 to use for expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19 in the face of revenue declines
• $45 billion to provide for the immediate needs of state, local, and tribal governments to protect citizens and help recover from the overwhelming effects of COVID-19 by funding medical response, personal protective equipment, National Guard deployment, coordination of logistics, safety measures, and community services
• $100 million for personal protective equipment for our first responders
• $150 million to state arts and humanities agencies to provide grants and support arts organizations, museums, libraries, and other organizations during the coronavirus crisis
• $10 billion in Federal assistance is directed to help publicly-owned, commercial airports to address the COVID-19 crisis
• $25 billion is provided to public transit operators to protect public health and safety while ensuring transportation access to jobs, medical treatment, food, and other essential services remain available during the COVID-19 response
• $5 billion for the Community Development Block Grant program to enable states, counties, and cities to rapidly respond to COVID-19 and the economic and housing impacts caused by it, including by expanding community health facilities, child care centers, food banks, and senior services
• $453 million to provide aid to tribal governments through welfare assistance and social service programs, including assistance to tribal members affected by the coronavirus crisis and to expand public safety and emergency response capabilities

 
Workforce development

• $360 million to invest in programs that provide training and supportive services for dislocated workers, seniors, migrant farmworkers, and homeless veterans
• $1 billion in Community Services Block Grants to help communities address the consequences of increasing unemployment and economic disruption

 
Public safety

• $850 million for state and local police departments and jails to meet local needs, including purchase of personal protective equipment and other needed medical items and to support overtime for officers on the front lines
• $1.4 billion for deployments of the National Guard to sustain up to 20,000 members of the National Guard, under the direction of the governors of each state, for the next six months in order to support state and local response efforts

 
Elections

• $400 million for states to help prepare for the 2020 elections. Funding can be used, for example, to increase the ability to vote by mail, expand early voting and online registration, and increase the safety of voting in-person by providing additional voting facilities and more poll-workers

 
Education

• $30.750 billion for an Education Stabilization Fund for states, school districts and institutions of higher education for costs related to coronavirus
• $13.5 billion is available for formula-grants to states, which will then distribute 90 percent of funds to local educational agencies to use for coronavirus-response activities, such as planning for and coordinating during long-term school closures; purchasing educational technology to support online learning for all students served by the local educational agency
• Governors in each state will receive a share of $3 billion to allocate at their discretion for emergency support grants to local educational agencies to support the ability to continue to provide educational services to students, to support on-going operations, and to provide emergency support through grants to institutions of higher education serving students within the State
• $14.250 billion for higher education emergency relief for institutions of higher education to defray expenses for institutions of higher education, such as lost revenue, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, and grants to students for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care

  
For health care
 
COVID-19 health care response

• $80 million for the Food and Drug Administration to address shortages of critical medicines, to conduct COVID-19 research, and to develop therapies and vaccines for COVID-19
• $75 million for the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support research at molecular, cellular, physiological and ecological levels to better understand coronavirus genetics, modes of action, transmission, virulence and population dynamics at research institutions like The Jackson Laboratory
• $200 million for the FCC Connected Care Pilot Program, which will support efforts of health care providers to address COVID-19 by using telehealth to connect with patients
• Over $1 billion in critically needed resources to support the tribal health system during the pandemic
• $1.5 billion to support States, locals, territories, and tribes in their efforts to conduct public health activities, including: purchase of personal protective equipment; laboratory testing to detect positive cases; and infection control and mitigation at the local level to prevent the spread of the virus
• $100 billion for grants to hospitals, public entities, not-for-profit entities, and Medicare and Medicaid enrolled suppliers and institutional providers to cover unreimbursed health care related expenses or lost revenues attributable to COVID-19
• At least $3.5 billion to advance construction, manufacturing, and purchase of vaccines and therapeutics
• Funding to support a U.S.-sourced supply chain of vaccines, therapeutics, and small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients
• $185 million to support rural critical access hospitals, rural tribal health and telehealth programs, and poison control centers
• $955 million to support nutrition programs, home and community based services, support for family caregivers, and expand oversight and protections for seniors and individuals with disabilities
• $200 million to assist nursing homes with infection control and support states’ efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus in nursing homes
• $25 million to help improve distance learning and telemedicine in rural areas
• $1 billion for the Department of Defense to invest in manufacturing capabilities that are key to increasing the production rate of personal protective equipment and medical equipment to meet the demand of healthcare workers
• $1.5 billion for expansion of military hospitals and expeditionary hospital packages to alleviate the anticipated strain on both the military and civilian healthcare systems

 
Veterans health care

• $15.85 billion in order to support an increase in demand for VA services specific to coronavirus
• $590 million for VA to devote to supporting veterans at an increased risk of contracting coronavirus
• $3.1 billion for VA to purchase, staff, and equip temporary sites of care and mobile treatment centers to deal with this pandemic. It further enhances the capability for telehealth visits, allowing more veterans to receive care from home, and for providers at home to continue to treat patients through technology
• To strengthen VA’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and enable them to best treat veterans across the country, the bill includes provisions which allow VA to:
  • Consider veterans and their families eligible for pensions and other income-dependent benefits, even if an emergency benefit paid by the government would have put them over the threshold
  • Ensure that home health care workers have personal protective equipment and necessary equipment to protect veterans and themselves
  • Continue providing payment to State Veterans Homes when residents are transferred to acute care due to COVID-19, regardless of their occupancy rate; and allow VA to provide any available personal protective equipment to state homes
  • Support veterans with limb loss seeking prosthetic assistance at community providers rather than going to VA facilities during a pandemic
  • Enter into agreements with telecommunications companies to provide broadband for veterans in support of providing telemental health care