|
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 [email protected].
Here is an update on what is happening in Augusta.
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.
|
|
AUGUSTA - On Thursday, May 25, Mrs. Turcotte and Mrs. Stowe's 4
th grade classes from Carmel Elementary School traveled to the State House to learn more about the Revolutionary War in the Maine State Museum. During their visit, they also met with their state senator, Andre Cushing (R-Penobscot).
"I always enjoy seeing young people visit our State House and experience Maine's heritage and legislative process," said Sen. Cushing. "I was glad to have the opportunity to visit with these students from Carmel Elementary School during their field trip to Augusta.
Senate President Appoints Senators to Committee of Conference to Negotiate Budget
Maine Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) today appointed three members to a committee of conference in an effort to reach an agreement following an impasse over the state's biennial budget that begins on July 1, 2017.
Joint Rules of the Maine Legislature allow a committee of conference to be convened when there is a disagreement between the House and Senate over a particular bill. According to the rules, the committee includes three members of each chamber who voted on the prevailing side of a bill.
Lawmakers, thus far, have been unable to reach a budget agreement that will garner the necessary two-thirds majorities needed to pass a state budget by June 30, 2017.
Senate President Michael Thibodeau said, "There are a lot of good people working to make sure we are successful. I am confident that the members of the committee will work tirelessly to find a solution."
The Senate members of the committee of conference are:
- Senator Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo)
- Senator Roger Katz (R-Kennebec)
- Senator Cathy Breen (D-Cumberland)
Legislature Swiftly Moves to Correct Online Burn Permit Issue
The Senate yesterday voted in support of Senator Tom Saviello's (R-Franklin) bill - LD 1640 - to allow the issuance of open burn permits online by private organizations in a bipartisan, unanimous vote.
Just last week the Maine Forest Service announced a policy change disallowing the online distribution of open burn permits by private websites, impacting more than 70 municipalities and thousands of Maine residents. Prior to the rule change, open burn permits could be purchased through the State's website for a fee of $7 to the applicant or through one of two private websites, free of charge.
"As soon as this rule was changed, I immediately began hearing from fire chiefs and residents who prefer using the private websites and would like to continue doing so," said Sen. Saviello. "These private websites are providing a valuable service and are allowing municipalities to save money and streamline how they issue burn permits, which gives them more control and flexibility. Many residents also prefer the free services over the State website that charges a fee and is less convenient.
"I'm glad we were able to move quickly to give this bill a unanimous vote today. We feel strongly that fire chiefs should have the ability to choose how they issue burn permits and that mandating a fee for the online service could result in fewer people seeking permits to burn. I would like to thank my colleagues for passing this emergency bill with a strong, bipartisan vote."
LD 1640 will now go to the governor's desk for consideration.
Homeland Security Grants Maine REAL ID Extension
As promised, the Department of Homeland Security has extended Maine's compliance period for the federal REAL ID Act following the passage of the law enacted by the Legislature to bring driver's licenses in compliance with federal law. With this extension, Maine driver's licenses will once again be acceptable for access to military bases and other federal facilities while the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles works towards implementing the systems and procedures to issue REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses by July 1, 2019.
Once implemented, Maine driver's license holders may obtain a REAL-ID compliant license or ID at any time at their local BMV office. Applicants must provide proof of legal presence, such as a birth certificate, and submit to a photograph using facial recognition technology. No one will be required to renew their current ID before it expires unless they need a compliant ID. Under this new law, anyone may opt out and choose to keep their non-compliant license.
Adults over 65 Years Old Hardest Hit by Lyme Disease in 2016
Data compiled by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed that adults over the age of 65 had the highest rates of Lyme disease in Maine last year. While the number of reported cases increased for all age groups, they experienced the sharpest increase with more than 400 seniors, or 162 per 100,000 adults over 65, diagnosed with Lyme disease last year.
"In light of this data, we are calling on adults over the age of 65 to take the necessary precautions to prevent tick bites," said State Epidemiologist, Dr. Siiri Bennett. "It is concerning to see such a spike within this age group and it is the first time we are seeing this group surpass children between the ages of 5 and 14 years. This is why we are stressing the need to be aware, take extra preventative measures, and understand the risks."
For more information about Lyme disease statistics or information, go to www.maine.gov/lyme.
|
|
Corinna
CANCER PRAYER/SUPPORT GROUP MEETING: The Corinna Cancer Prayer and Support Group will meet every third Tuesday of the month from 4 to 5 PM at the Corinna United Methodist Church Parsonage (the house next to the church) on the Dexter Road. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 20th. Meetings are open to anyone in the community or surrounding communities that has been touched by cancer. For more information, contact Carol at 278-7952.
PUBLIC SUPPER:
The Corinna United Methodist Church will have a public supper on Saturday, June 24th from 4:30 to 6 PM. he price for the meal will be $7 and combo tickets for $12, which includes dinner and a ticket to that evening's performance of "Mobile Home, Sweet Home" by the Levi Stewart Community Theater group. The church is located at 16 Dexter Road.
Newport
BENEFIT SPAGHETTI SUPPER: There will be a benefit spaghetti supper for Bruce and Bobbie Bowden and family on Friday, June 23rd from 4 to 7 PM. This is a by donation event that includes a 50/50 raffle. The proceeds to benefit the Bowden family that recently lost their home to a fire. Bud's Shop 'n Save and Hannaford friends and family invite the community to come out and support this family during this devastating loss. The supper will be held at the American Legion Hall on North Street. For more information contact 368-5757.
|
 |
|
