2015-2016
2013-2014
2013 Legislative Session Overview
A sampling of key co-sponsored bills that became law include:
- Sponsored 11 bills and co-sponsored 53 other bills
- Of the 11 sponsored bills, 3 were unanimously approved in the House and Senate, 2 of those became law, and 1 is being held for funding until January.
- Bill to put community service on the list of traditional academic measurements for graduation which currently includes examinations, quizzes, performances, and student portfolios became law with the Governor’s signature. Teachers will now be able to create multiple pathways of learning by bringing their current curriculum alive through hands-on experiences. (LD 1290)
- Bill to transfer jurisdiction of increasing or decreasing speed limits on the entire length of the Interstate from the political body to the Transportation Department became law. This law ensures that speed changes are left to the people who specialize in engineering science rather than political science. (LD 654)
- Bill to improve access to home-based and community-based care in the MaineCare Program passed both houses unanimously and is awaiting funding. The Governor is poised to let this become law or sign it because it fits within DHHS’s goal of encouraging more home-based and community care which ends up saving taxpayer money in the long term. (LD 488)
A sampling of key co-sponsored bills that became law include:
- A bill to increase Insured Value Factor payments incrementally starting next year. Since independent town academies do not receive any funds for construction as public schools would, this will significantly help Thornton Academy be able to afford capital construction projects in order to continue the high level of academic and extracurricular vigor that my alma mater is known for. (LD 1505 cosponsored with Sen. Linda Valentino)
- A bill to ensure students have a basic knowledge of financial literacy via the current curriculum in order to graduate high school became law. (co-sponsored with youth caucus)
- Helped clean up some the laws regarding allowing tuition waivers for children of Veterans to ensure students can go and afford college. (Co-sponsored with Rep. Andrea Boland of Sanford)
- Other bills this session I championed but failed to pass include funding the state’s share of education at 55%, a tax credit for new full time jobs created by businesses, cuts in legislative pay, and brokered a compromise between Democrats and Republicans on campaign finance & PAC reform.
- Another achievement was starting the Youth Caucus and becoming it’s Vice-Chair helping to forge a greater partnership and collaboration with the next generation of Democrats and Republicans to find common ground on important issues.
