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Dear Friends:
  
It is a great honor to have the opportunity  to serve the people of Senate District 10 in the 128th Legislature.  If you have a question or comment about what is happening at the State House, I would like to hear from you. Please use the information provided above to contact me, or follow email me at andre@andrecushing.com.

Here is an update on what is happening in Augusta. For those who celebrate it, I hope you have a blessed Easter and an early spring!
 
Sincerely,           
                                                     
Andre Cushing

Senator Andre Cushing represents Senate District 10, which includes the municipalities of Carmel, Corinna, Corinth, Dixmont, Etna, Exeter, Glenburn, Hampden, Hudson, Kenduskeag, Levant, Newburgh, Newport, Plymouth and Stetson.
State News Updates
Senator Andre Cushing Named ALEC-Freedom Works Legislator of the Week

AUGUSTA - On Thursday, April 13, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)  selected Assistant Senate Majority Leader Andre Cushing (R-Penobscot) as this week's ALEC- Freedom Works Legislator of the Week.

The organization selected Sen. Cushing in recognition of his work in the Legislature over the last nine years, first in the House of Representatives and now the Senate, to reform healthcare and workers comp, in addition to his work to expand economic development opportunities across the state of Maine.

ALEC also cites his extensive involvement and leadership role with the organization, where he is currently serving his second term on the Board of Directors as well as the Maine State Chair.

"It's quite an honor to have been selected as the Freedom Works Legislator of the Week by an organization that I so firmly believe in," said Sen. Cushing. "As a small business owner for over forty years, I have a firsthand understanding of the barriers businesses and employers must overcome to succeed in Maine, which is why I've dedicated my legislative career to passing reforms that help our economy flourish.

"I would like to thank the American Legislative Exchange Council for everything they do to foster dialogues and address important policy issues, providing the research and data necessary for legislators to facilitate positive changes for each and every state in our great nation."

Senator Andre Cushing Reminds Students Legislative Scholarship Deadline Approaching

AUGUSTA - Maine State Senator Andre Cushing (R-Penobscot) reminds constituents that the deadline for applying for the Maine Legislative Memorial Scholarship is fast approaching.

The Maine Legislative Memorial Scholarship Fund was created by the Maine Legislature and staff to annually recognize one student from each county who is currently enrolled or is planning to pursue a post-secondary degree or attend technical school in Maine. This scholarship is available for full or part-time students.

A total of 16 scholarships are awarded - a $1,000 scholarship to one student from each Maine county. The eligible recipient must be a Maine resident.

"This is a great opportunity for young Mainers who are college bound," Senator Cushing said. "The costs of post-secondary education present enormous challenges to many young people, and this scholarship can help defray those costs."

Among other criteria, awards are made on the basis of:
  • Academic excellence demonstrated by the content of the applicant's transcript and GPA
  • Contributions to community and employment
  • Financial need demonstrated by the applicant's Student Aid Report (SAR)
The deadline for the Maine Legislative Memorial Scholarship is May 1, 2017. For more information, please visit the  Maine Legislative Memorial Scholarship Fund website.

Maine's Unemployment Rate Reaches Record Low
 
The Maine Department of Labor last week announced the lowest unemployment rate for the state of Maine since the current estimation methodology was first implemented in 1976. The preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was just 3.0 percent, down from 3.7 percent one year ago. The preliminary national unemployment rate was also down from 5.0 percent one year ago to 4.5 percent in March.  
 
"Over the past six years, Republicans in the Maine Legislature have worked tirelessly to lower taxes and enact other policies to promote job growth and investment in our state," said Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo). "This historically low unemployment figure is validation of those efforts by legislative Republicans and the governor, and the people of Maine are better off as a result. Maine still faces enormous challenges, but we are blessed with the most creative, talented and hard-working people in the nation, and I believe our best days are yet to come."

MaineHousing Now Offering Arsenic Abatement Program for Low-Income Households
 
Financial assistance is now available for low-income households with arsenic levels greater than 10 ug/L to remedy the problem through MaineHousing's Arsenic Abatement Program. While grants are limited to homeowners with an income at or below 80 percent of an area's income, it is important for everyone to test their well, especially in Cumberland, Kennebec and Hancock counties.
 
According to MaineHousing, bet ween 1999 and 2013, approximately 58 percent of the homeowners from seven communities in Cumberland, Hancock, and Kennebec counties who submitted well water samples for testing at the Maine CDC's lab received results that showed arsenic levels exceeding 10 ug/L. That was 1,873 wells out of 3,234 tested.
 
It's quick and easy to test your well water.
  • First, find a certified well water testing lab. A list is provided here - wellwater.maine.gov or call 1-866-292-3474.
  • Second, call the lab and order a test kit. Prices may vary depending on the level of tests you're requesting be done on your well water.
  • Third, fill test kit bottles with tap water and fill out the forms included with the kit.
  • Fourth, return water bottles to the lab via mail or drop them off in person.
For more information on MaineHousing's Arsenic Abatement Program, please visit mainehousing.org and select "Arsenic Abatement" on the home page, or call 207-626-4600 or 1-800-452-4668 or Maine Relay 711.
 
For more information on why it's important to test your water, please visit wellwater.maine.gov.
 
Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day Next Saturday

Next week dozens of family-owned greenhouses and nurseries will kick off this year's growing season with special events for Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day on Saturday, May 6. Festivities planned for the day include: demonstrations, workshops, personal tours, expert speakers, refreshments, giveaways, door prizes, raffles, container-planting demonstrations and plants and balloons for children. Participating facilities will also share gardening expertise, tips and information on plant varieties and garden design.  For more information about Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day, go to: http://www.plants4maine.com/GreenhouseAndNurseryDay.shtml.
 
Maine Department of Labor Seeks Nominations for 2017 Silver Collar Awards

The State Workforce Board's Older Working Committee is now accepting nominations for 2017's Silver Collar Awards. These awards recognize Maine employers with policies and practices that match the needs of mature employees to capture their skills and experience. If you know of a business that is a great place to work for workers over the age of 50 in Maine and you would like to nominate them for this award, visit http://www.maine.gov/swb/committees/older_workers/index.shtml. Questions can be directed to the State Workforce Board at swb.dol@maine.gov or 207-621-5091.

The Time to Vaccinate Horses is Now
 
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has announced that now is the time to vaccinate horses to protect against rabies and mosquito-borne diseases such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV). All three of these diseases can cause neurologic symptoms and can commonly cause death in animals that have not been vaccinated. 

In addition to the vaccines, horse owners can also protect their animals by limiting their horse's interactions with wildlife species that are common carriers of the rabies virus, such as raccoons and skunks. It's also recommended that owners clean up potential food sources for these wild animals and eliminate sources of standing water, which provide breeding sites for mosquitoes.  Symptoms of these diseases include stumbling, circling, head pressing, depression or apprehension, weakness of legs, partial paralysis, inability to stand, muscle twitching or death. If your horse experiences any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
Community Events
Corinna

PUBLIC CHURCH SUPPER: This Saturday, April 29 from 4:30-6:00 PM, the Corinna United Methodist Church will host a public supper at 16 Dexter Road. The cost for the meal will be $6.

Dixmont

DONATIONS SOUGHT FOR YARD SALE: On Saturday, May 6 from 8:00 AM-noon, the Etna-Dixmont School will hold their annual yard sale fundraiser. They are looking for gently used items including  clothing, books, furniture, toys, purses, small working kitchen appliances, dishes, wall decor, etc. They are not accepting computers, monitors or televisions. To make a donation, drop items off on Friday, May 5 from 3:00 PM-7:00 PM. For more information, contact Michelle Davis at 269-3090.

Newport

DONATIONS SOUGHT FOR INDOOR YARD SALE: On Saturday, May 13, a fundraiser yard sale will be held at Nokomis Regional High School to benefit the Class of 2017. For more information, or to make a donation, contact Liza at 368-4354.
Maine Senate Majority Office | (207) 287-1505 |  Website
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