Justin Chenette
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Governor Orders $35.5 Million in State Spending Cuts

12/27/2012

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From Maine.gov:
AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage today issued an executive order to reduce State spending by $35.5 million in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2013. The order, called a curtailment, will help to ensure that the State finishes the fiscal year with a balanced budget – as required by the Maine Constitution.

The process to identify the spending reductions began with State departments and agencies receiving assigned reduction targets. Each department or agency presented options and program impact analyses to meet the targets. The proposed reductions were evaluated based on a number of factors, including the effects on public health and safety and extent that the impact could be minimized.

“Unlike the Federal Government, Maine must balance its budget and we can achieve this for the short-term under this curtailment,” said Governor LePage. “However, in order for the State to sustain a balanced budget for the long-term, Democrats and Republicans must acknowledge that from year to year we have only put a Band-Aid on the problem. Not unlike Washington, we must reign in spending before Maine falls off its own fiscal cliff.”

The Governor has notified the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and House of the specific allotments curtailed, the extent of curtailment of each allotment and the effect of each curtailment on the objects and purposes of the program affected.

Under Maine law, the Governor has the authority to reduce spending on programs approved by the Legislature with a curtailment order, subject to certain restrictions. The curtailment order serves to reduce the rate of spending until a supplemental budget is proposed by the Governor and passed by the legislature to address the predicted revenue shortfall in a comprehensive manner. The curtailment order applies only to the current fiscal year.

As a way to reduce spending immediately, previous Maine governors have utilized the curtailment process. Recent curtailments totaled more than $180 million between the years 2008-2010.



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Committee Assignment

12/20/2012

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House leadership has appointed me to the State and Local Government Committee during the next two years in the legislature.

The State and Local Government Committee handles the following as stated in the legislative handbook:  State contracts and fiscal procedures; state government organization; oversight of state officials, state employees and property; administrative procedures; boards and commissions; notaries public; capitol area planning; county and regional government; county budget process; Legislature; municipal and local government; and public services. While it is not a committee I requested, I look forward to working on better collaboration between local municipalities like the City of Saco and the state.

Regardless of the committee, I will use my experiences on the State Board of Education to focus on education issues like advocating for the state’s share of funding to 55% and ensuring students have the tools they need to compete in a 21st century global economy. As promised during the campaign I will also focus my efforts on tax reform by aiming to create a fairer tax structure for the Middle Class and supporting our small business community.


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School Safety Resources

12/17/2012

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School Safety - Resources for schools and families in the aftermath of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Questions and Answers

Talking with Students about the Events at Sandy Hook (From the Crisis Management Institute)

  • Talking with Children (PDF, 85KB)
  • Guidelines for Teachers and Administrators (PDF, 187KB)
Emergency planning and preparedness for schools

  • Maine Prepares (Maine Emergency Management Agency)
  • Maine DOE Emergency School Planning
  • Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan requirements in law
General Resources - School Emergency Management, Distress and Grief Advice

  • Disaster Distress Helpline (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration)
  • Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting (American Psychological Association)
  • Managing your distress in the aftermath of a shooting (American Psychological Association)
  • Five Questions on the Tucson, Ariz., Shootings for Psychologist Joel Dvoskin, PhD   **please see # 3 question and response (American Psychological Association)
  • Helpful Hints for School Emergency Management - Psychological first aid (PFA) for students and teachers: Listen, Protect, Connect – Model & Teach (U.S. Department of Education, Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center)
  • Listen, Protect, Connect – Model and Teach - Psychological first aid for teachers and students (Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
  • After a Loved One Dies – How children grieve and how parents and other adults can support them. (David Schonfeld, MD, and Marcia Quackenbush, MS, MFT, CHES)
  • School Crisis Guide - Help and healing in a time of crisis. (National Education Association)
  • SAMHSA's Tips for Talking to Children and Youth After Traumatic Events: A Guide for Parents and Educators (US Department of Health and Human Services)
  • SAMHSA's Coping with Violence and Traumatic Events Web site (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
  • Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (National Association of School Psychologists)
  • Coping With Crisis: Tips for Parents and Educators (National Association of School Psychologists)
  • Coping with Crisis—Helping Children With Special Needs (National Association of School Psychologists)
  • Dealing with a Death in School (National Association of School Psychologists)
  • A Practical Guide for Crisis Response in Our Schools (National Center for Crisis Management)
  • School crisis guide: Helping and healing in a time of crisis (National Education Association)
Disaster Distress Helpline (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration)

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In response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting

12/16/2012

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One way to help those directly affected by the horrific killings on Friday, is to donate money to the victims' families and toys for the children at Sandy Hook Elementary. 

My friend Mike Hennessey has worked to setup A Tribute Night for Those Lost on 12/14/12 in Newtown, CT. 

Donate here

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Saco-Biddeford Legislative/Council/Education Summit

12/16/2012

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Journal Tribune
By LIZ GOTTHELF
Staff Writer
(December 8, 2012) SACO — State funding of education and local revenue sharing are among the top concerns of municipal officials and local legislators.


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NECN: Maine's Youngest Legislator

12/6/2012

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(NECN: Marnie Maclean) - While most new college graduates are looking for a job, Justin Chenette is looking for committee assignments at the State House in Augusta, Maine.

The 21-year-old democrat from Saco is the youngest  lawmaker in the state. He was sworn in on Wednesday, one of 13 new representatives under 30 years old.

“I think it's important that young people have a seat at the table and that's what I am trying to accomplish here," says Chenette, who won the November election by a huge margin.  

Surprisingly, Chenette went into the campaign with strong name recognition. As a high school student, he hosted a political show on public access television and if a candidate wanted to get elected in Saco, they found their way to his show.

Chenette became the first student in Maine appointed to the board of education.

There he realized he might like answering the questions more than asking them.

He announced his candidacy while going to college in Vermont. He relied heavily on social media to connect with voters.

There were skeptics but Chenette wasn't deterred.

"If you believe in something you have to go for it, you can't let other people tell you know when you believe yes, that has been a theme in anything I have taken on."

He knows he's got a lot to learn, but Chenette believes his passion and idealism still have a place in politics.              
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