Financial Committee Blocks Education Funding for Maine Students

Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – On Thursday, members of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee killed a bill to fund an important initiative to provide zero to low-interest loans to Maine students studying in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, also known as STEM.

“These Democrats who are controlled by the Maine People’s Alliance say they support education, but turn around and refuse to fund this affordable education priority,” said Governor LePage. “Young families in our state can’t afford to buy homes because they are drowning in education debt. Maine is already the oldest state in the country. This bill would have helped us to keep young people in Maine and helped those young people be financially solvent.”

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics jobs in Maine are projected to grow 6.5 percent by 2022, nearly three times the rate for all occupations. And the gain of these jobs in STEM occupations will account for nearly half of the expected net job growth in Maine.

Sen. Amy Volk (R-Scarborough) sponsored the bill, L.D. 1360, An Act to Increase the Number of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Professionals in Maine. The purpose of this bill was to increase the number of students pursuing graduate and undergraduate degrees in the fields of science, computer science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Additionally, it would have encouraged students to return to Maine to live and work.

According to The Institute for College Access and Success, the average student loan debt for the Class of 2013 in Maine was nearly $30,000 and it is increasing at an alarming, accelerated pace. As the US debt has ballooned to over $18 trillion, many young people are burdened with an extra $1.2 trillion dollars of student debt, borrowing from their futures and contributing to another potential debt crisis.

L.D. 1360 would have created the Maine STEM Loan Program withinthe Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) Loans of up to $7,500 per year with varying interest rates would have been provided to participating students depending on their future employment: loans with zero percent interest rates would have been available to students who remain in or return to the state and work in the fields of science, computer science, technology, engineering and mathematics upon graduation; loans bearing an interest rate of 5 percent would have been available to students who remain in or return to Maine upon graduation but are not employed in the fields of science, computer science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and loans bearing an interest rate of 8 percent annually would have been available for students who live and work outside the state upon graduation.

“If we want a prosperous Maine we need an educated, skilled workforce, but we need families in our communities who can afford to buy homes, to donate to nonprofits, to shop in our stores and to invest in our businesses,” said Governor LePage.

 

Western Maine Family Health Center Welcomes New Provider

LIVERMORE FALLS - Western Maine Family Health Center in Livermore Falls will be welcoming Elizabeth Mehr, FNP to the medical team in July.  Mehr recently completed a Master of Nursing degree at Regis College, Weston, MA. Previously she obtained undergraduate degrees in nursing (Regis – 2013) and psychology (Smith College, MA – 2008). Her clinical areas of interest include women's health and chronic disease management.

 

“I grew up in rural Maine and am excited about returning to provide healthcare to the residents of these unique communities,” Mehr recently shared. “Livermore Falls is a special place to me because I spent time here as a young child. I am honored to be joining the skilled, committed team at Western Maine.” She continued, “My mission is to assist patients in achieving optimal health through a healthy lifestyle and disease prevention. I believe this involves getting to know each patient as an individual and developing a healthcare plan that appeals to the specific person.”

 

Elizabeth Mehr will be joining Craig Lewis, MD and Emma Ansara, FNP who provide care to 2,240 residents from Canton, Fayette, Hartford, Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls, Sumner and surrounding towns such as Chesterville, Farmington, New Sharon and Wilton. She will also work alongside Alyson Byard, LCSW who offers behavioral health services to health center patients.

 

Western Maine Family Health Center is part of HealthReach Community Health Centers, a group of eleven Federally Qualified Health Centers in Central and Western Maine. Dedicated providers deliver high quality medical and behavioral health care to citizens in over 80 rural communities. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare and major insurances. In addition, an Affordable Care Program is available to uninsured and underinsured residents as well as assistance with applications for programs that help with the cost of health care and medications including the Health Insurance Marketplace. A private, non-profit celebrating a 40-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants and individual donations.

 

Governor Stands by His Decision to Oppose Selection of Speaker Eves to Run Charter School

June 25, 2015

For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 25, 2015
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage reaffirmed his opposition today to the selection of Speaker of the House Mark Eves as president of Good Will-Hinckley, which runs the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences charter school.

“This back-room deal between cronies is exactly the kind of political corruption I came to Augusta to fight against,” the Governor said. “I will not stand for it and neither will the Maine people. Speaker Eves has been an ardent foe of charter schools for his entire political career, then he turns around and gets hired to run a charter school—whose board is chaired by Eves’ own State House employee—for a cushy job worth about $150,000 in total compensation. To provide half-a-million dollars in taxpayer funding to a charter school that would be headed by Maine’s most vehement anti-charter-school politician is not only the height of hypocrisy, it is absolutely unacceptable.”

Governor LePage noted that annual funding of $530,000 for the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences charter school is an investment to insure the school’s success. “To have the school run by someone so opposed to charter schools would be very troublesome,” he said.

Background on Speaker Eves’s consistent opposition to charter schools:

• In 2012, Speaker Eves voted in opposition to “An Act To Amend and Clarify the Public Charter School Law.”
• In 2011, Speaker Eves was absent for the vote on “An Act To Create a Public Charter School Program in Maine."
• In 2009, Speaker Eves voted against “An Act To Permit Charter Schools in Maine.”

A news release by Speaker Eves, dated February 6, 2013 and posted on his website, states it is a myth that school choice benefits each and every Maine student and that 37 percent of charter schools actually offered children a worse education than traditional schools.

In a news release dated March 22, 2013 and posted on the Maine Dems website, Eves objected to our proposal to provide $1 million for lawyer fees for the Maine

Charter School Commission, the State Board of Education and the Department of Education. This attempt to provide these legal fees was a reflection of the politically charged atmosphere between strident opponents of charter schools – such as Speaker Eves — and supporters of educational opportunities for all Maine students.

In the release, Speaker Eves states: “The Governor’s priorities are out of step with the parents, students, and teachers of Maine.”

 

 

Healthy Community Coalition Announces Mobile Health Unit Schedule for July

Farmington¾

 

Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County (HCC) announces its July schedule for Mobile Health Unit outreach events. Staff will be offering services such as blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose checks; cancer prevention, nutrition, physical activity and tobacco information; one-on-one health counseling and information; and assistance with referrals to the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program and other health assistance programs.

Additional services include colon cancer screening kits for those who qualify and body composition analysis. The test kits, a less invasive way to screen for colon cancer, can be completed in the privacy of one’s own home. Body composition analysis allows participants to see total weight and how many pounds of that weight are made up of muscle, fat, and water. It can track changes in muscle and fat tissue, and physical fitness improvements when weight may not change.

The Mobile Health Unit will be offering health screenings at: Farmington Save-A-Lot on Wednesday, July 1 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Wilton Food Bank on Thursday, July 2 from 9 a.m.-noon; Wilton Food City on Thursday, July 2 from 12:30-3:30 p.m.; Industry Food Bank on Monday, July 6 from 9-11 a.m.; Fairbanks Food Bank on Monday, July 6 from noon-2 p.m.; Rangeley Food Bank on Tuesday, July 7 from 10 a.m.-noon; Rangeley IGA on Tuesday, July 7 from 12:30-3 p.m.; Phillips Food Bank on Thursday, July 9 from 9 a.m.-noon; Edmund’s Market in Phillips on Thursday, July 9 from noon-3 p.m.; Sandy River Farm Supply in New Sharon on Monday, July 13 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Livermore Falls Food City on Tuesday, July 14 from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Livermore Falls Food Bank on Tuesday, July 14 from 2-4 p.m.; Eustis Food Bank on Thursday, July 16 from 10 a.m.-noon; Fotter’s Market in Stratton on Thursday, July 16 from 12:30-3 p.m.; Salem Food Bank on Tuesday, July 21 from 1-4 p.m.; and Farmington Summer Fest on Saturday, July 25 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m..

 

All services are provided free. Donations are accepted. For more information, contact Janis Walker at 779-2750 or jwalker@fchn.org.

 

Economist Bruce Williamson Takes Oath to Serve on Maine Public Utilities Commission

Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage today administered the oath of office to economist Dr. Bruce Williamson, the newest member of the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

“We now have an engineer, an attorney and an economist at the Maine Public Utilities Commission,” said Governor LePage. “They bring extensive knowledge and the expertise needed to lower energy costs for Maine rate payers. There is much work to do on the state’s complex energy issues and challenges, and I am confident the three Commissioners will serve the best interest of the Maine people with integrity and professionalism.”

Dr. Williamson is a senior economist at the University of Tennessee’s Howard Baker Center for Public Policy. He has also served as a research professor at the University’s College of Business Administration, lectured in advanced data analytics and worked as a senior economist at the National Defense Business Institute.

The MPUC regulates electric, natural gas, telecommunications and water utilities to ensure that Maine consumers enjoy safe, adequate and reliable services at rates that are just and reasonable for both consumers and utilities. The Commission oversees emerging competitive markets for some of these services. The Commission also regulates water taxis and ferries in Casco Bay and promotes safe digging through the Dig Safe underground utility damage prevention program.

Williamson replaces outgoing Commissioner David Littell, whose term expired in March.

 

Democrats and Maine People’s Alliance Kill Welfare Reform in Dark of Night

Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531  

Old-guard liberals fight to continue failed policies of Maine’s past AUGUSTA – Majority Democratic lawmakers in the Maine House of Representatives Monday killed the bulk of welfare reform bills remaining before the legislature in late-night votes taken after most media outlets had left the building.

“Liberal welfare policies have failed Maine throughout decades of one-party rule in the state legislature, and today’s Democrats, who are controlled by the welfare-activist group Maine People’s Alliance, have shown that they are not interested in change of any kind,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “Democratic politicians are not content with the status quo; they actually want Maine to go backward and revert to the broken welfare policies of the past. They have ignored the wishes of hard-working Mainers who see welfare fraud and abuse every day firsthand and are crying out for reform.”

Several Democratic lawmakers joined their Republican colleagues in supporting reform, though not enough for reform legislation to pass in the House.

Among the bills killed by Democratic lawmakers and their puppet masters at Maine People’s Alliance were:

• LD 1375: Governor’s bill to require an up-front work search for able-bodied TANF applicants; eliminate loopholes in the work requirement; ban out-of-state use of Maine TANF benefits; and prohibit the expenditure of cash welfare on alcohol, tobacco, gambling, bail, and tattoos. This bill received a strongly bipartisan, 29-5 vote in the Senate. (Killed 76-68 in the House)
• LD 607: Democratic report would make it more difficult for the state to put photo IDs on EBT cards. Bill as introduced would have facilitated the effort and also received a strongly bipartisan, 27-7 vote in the Senate. (Dem Report passed 72-70 in House)
• LD 1407: Governor’s bill would have given DHHS the authority to drug-test TANF applicants, dependent on the results of a written screening to determine current drug abuse. (Killed 76-67)
• LD 1035: Would have imposed a 9-month cap on General Assistance welfare. (Killed 74-71)
• LD 1036: Would have required the use of other benefits before GA. (Killed 73-72)
• LD 1037: Would have established a 180-day residency requirement for welfare benefits. (Killed 78-67)
• LD 368: Would have imposed a 5-year limit on GA to align with TANF. (Killed 80-65)

“These bills would have helped to move Mainers from welfare to work while ensuring that scarce resources are being used appropriately,” said Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew. “We must align our benefits with the goal of helping people and families move from poverty to prosperity.”

 

Franklin Memorial Hospital Caregiver of the Year Announced

Honors Gerald Cayer for his leadership in addressing domestic violence

Farmington¾

 

Gerald Cayer, executive vice president, has been named Caregiver of the Year for Franklin Memorial Hospital (FMH) according to Rebecca Arsenault, president/CEO. Arsenault made the surprise announcement during a recent manager’s meeting, praising his leadership in addressing domestic violence and his operational support of the medical staff, clinical teams, and line staff in driving safety and quality outcomes.

 

“This annual award honors a caregiver who on a daily basis demonstrates extraordinary commitment to the delivery of care to patients and their families,” said Arsenault. “Each hospital is allowed only one applicant to be considered for statewide recognition, so being nominated is truly an honor.”

 

Four years ago when several nearby domestic violence homicides took place, Cayer led a local campaign in Franklin County organizing men and boys to take a stand against domestic violence. Since that time, awareness events take place annually to continue to engage the community in creating social change for domestic violence.

 

In addition, his nomination cited that although he is not a direct caregiver, he supports the clinical team of doctors, nurses and other caregivers through safety and quality advocacy and operational support, which is reflected by Franklin Memorial Hospital being awarded an “A” grade in the spring 2015 Hospital Safety Score.

 

Another representation of the organization’s ongoing commitment to domestic violence awareness is a NorthStar ambulance, painted at Cayer’s request, in a purple-and-white color scheme to bring awareness to domestic violence. It is detailed with multiple shades of purple with symbolic oversized ribbons, along with the area’s domestic violence helpline number.This vehicle is believed to be the first domestic violence awareness ambulance in the country.

 

“Police have reported that having local resources available and supporting awareness increases reports of domestic violence,” Cayer said. “This is an important step in breaking the chain of violence.”

 

Most recently and currently on display at Franklin Memorial Hospital, is the Portraits of Courage exhibit that features 16 paintings created by artist Penny Hood. These portraits are of victims of sexual assault and domestic violence who break the silence and tell their story.

 

Cayer was the 2011 recipient of Safe Voices Community Hero Award. His public service work is vast and a sampling includes: Safe Voices Franklin County Task Force, University of Maine Farmington (UMF) Board of Visitors, DHHS and Maine Hospital Association Licensing Reform Committee, the Muskie School MPH Advisory Committee, and past board chair of the American Lung Association.

 

Cayer is a native of Lewiston who now resides in Waterville with his wife Tami and their three children: Chelsea, Ethan, and Annie.

 

Governor Identifies Savings of $60 Million in Budget

June 18, 2015

For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 18, 2015
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

Legislature must take action within 5 days

AUGUSTA —Governor Paul R. LePage today submitted to the 127th Legislature approximately $60 million in savings he identified in the two-year State budget.

Governor LePage highlighted 64 line-item vetoes within the 694-page budget document. By law, the Governor has authority to submit vetoes line by line within 24 hours of receiving the budget. The Legislature delivered the budget to the Governor at 8 a.m. Wednesday. He returned it with his line-items vetoes by 8 a.m. Thursday.

Top $5 Million Line-Item Vetoes:

$4,154,891 – Non-citizen funding for SNAP, TANF, and SSI
These reductions bring the budget back in line with the Governor’s proposed elimination of TANF, SNAP, and SSI welfare for legal non-citizens.

$1,000,000 – Payment to Federal Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHC)
This is a $1 million allocation to FQHCs, which already receive an enhanced Medicaid match for services rendered, as well as federal funding. The municipality that would benefit the most is Portland.

$200,000 – Frances Perkins Homestead
This allocation would buy a private residence in Newcastle, Maine.

$500,000 – Maine Department of Transportation Study of Passenger Rail Service
MDOT completed a similar study in 2011. A new study will not provide any different information. The estimated cost to expand passenger rail from Portland to Lewiston could be between $107 million to $234 million.

$200,000 – Historic Preservation Commission
This allocation provides funds to the Wood Island Life Saving Station Association for the planning, design and restoration of the Wood Island Life Saving Station in Kittery.

Line-item vetoes of the Appropriation Committee’s “$4 Million Christmas Tree”

*It is important to note that while the Governor line-item vetoed the funding below, the programs and/or services may be worthy of receiving taxpayer money. However, the Governor maintains this funding should not have been snuck into the budget late at night without a public discussion about the merits of each initiative.

“An Act to Appropriate Funds to Help Restore the Historic Wood Island Saving Station in Kittery”
Sponsor: Sen. Dawn Hill $200,000

“An Act to Provide Funding to the Department of Transportation to Complete the Assessment of the Completion of the State-owned St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad Line”
Sponsor: Rep. Jared Golden
$150,000

Meals on Wheels Medicaid Reimbursement
Sponsor: Rep. Linda Sanborn
$55,000

“An Act to implement the Recommendations of the Task Force to End Student Hunger in Maine”
Sponsor: Sen. Justin Alfond
$80,755

“An Act to Create Community Schools”
Sponsor: Sen. Rebecca Millett
$150,000

Payment to Federal Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHC)
Sponsor: Sen. Roger Katz
$1,000,000

“An Act to Support School Nutrition”
Sponsor: Rep. Christopher Johnson
$15,700

“An Act to Attract Young People to Maine by Expanding the job Creation Through Educational Opportunity Program”
Sponsor: Sen. Justin Alfond
$304,000

“An Act to Expand Access to Workforce Development at Brunswick Landing”
Sponsor: Sen. Stan Gerzofsky
$410,982

Put ME to Work
Sponsor: Rep. Mark Eves
$1,000,000

Addition to Drug Court Appropriation
Sponsor: Rep. Aaron Frey
$300,000

Increase funding for Peer Support Centers
Sponsor: Rep. Peter Stuckey
$125,000

Computer Crimes
Sponsor: Sen. Bill Diamond
$85,769

TOTAL $3,978,374

A complete list of all line-item vetoes is forthcoming.

 

 

Governor LePage Announces Merger of MELA and FAME

June 16, 2015

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA — Governor Paul R. LePage announced today he has signed into law legislation merging the Maine Educational Loan Authority (MELA) with the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME).

“This merger will provide Maine students and their families with one-stop shopping for their higher education finance needs,” Governor LePage stated. “This action unites the best of two agencies that are dedicated to serving the citizens of Maine.”

The Governor on Friday signed into law a Governor’s bill, L.D. 1443, “An Act to Merge the Maine Educational Loan Authority with the Finance Authority of Maine.” The bill received unanimous support in the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, as well as in the full Legislature. The measure will take effect 90 days following adjournment.

The new law merges MELA, which offers private student loan financing, with FAME, which has long guaranteed federal student loans and administered the state’s various higher education loan, loan repayment, grant and savings programs. Both the MELA and FAME boards of directors supported the merger, including State Treasurer Terry Hayes, who sits on both boards.

“I wish to thank the MELA board of directors and their longtime executive director, Shirley Erickson, for their service to the people of Maine and for their support of this sensible consolidation,” stated Governor LePage.

A merger of the two agencies had been contemplated over the years, but was never implemented. MELA recently learned that its longstanding loan servicer, Maine Education Services (MES), would be discontinuing its services to MELA effective September 30. Without action this session, thousands of Maine students and their families could have been affected. This move will ensure a smooth transition and avoid any disruption of services for private student loan borrowers.

“Merging MELA with FAME will streamline the higher education financing process for Maine families,” stated Bruce Wagner, Chief Executive Officer at FAME. “This merger will maintain MELA’s important private loan program while reducing borrower confusion and achieving efficiencies and cost savings.”

FAME is a quasi-independent state agency that provides innovative financial solutions to help Maine citizens pursue businesses and educational opportunities. FAME helps to lead the creation of quality jobs for Maine citizens by working at the nexus between economic and workforce development. To learn more about FAME, please visit www.famemaine.com.

 

Clinical Social Workers are now part of the Primary Care Team

Perform direct delivery of behavioral health services on the spot rather than having patients wait for a referral appointment

Farmington¾

 

After a six-month pilot project that placed licensed clinical social worker Anna D’Epiro Cushing in the Franklin Health Farmington Family Practice performing direct behavioral health services for patients proved successful, three licensed clinical social workers have recently relocated from the Franklin Health Behavioral Services medical practice to a primary care practice.

 

Having clinical social workers alongside health care providers is a new integrated model being used at four Franklin Health primary care medical practices. These social workers now perform direct delivery of behavioral health services on the spot—rather than by referral—providing immediate assessment and diagnosis and brief solution-based therapy for patients of all ages. They also provide patient education and support and complete referrals to case management and other services as needed.

 

“Adding a social worker to the team in a primary care setting removes barriers and improves access for patients. They now have immediate support from a group of health professionals who work together to coordinate care so our patients can be as healthy as possible,” said Dr. Kendra Emery. “We believe that this collaborative approach improves continuity of care and produces better health outcomes at lower costs for our patients.”

 

In addition to D’Epiro Cushing, the social workers and where they are now providing care is as follows: Paula Lumb, LCSW, Franklin Health Internal Medicine; Sheila Hoyt, LCSW, Franklin Health Livermore Falls Family Practice; and Christina Christie, LCSW, Franklin Health Pediatrics.

 

D’Epiro Cushing added that she enjoys being a part of the medical practice in this new model of care, working together with providers, to immediately address patients’ needs to improve their health and enhance well being.