5-22-09 Maine Statehouse Update

Governor's Budget & Legislative Overview

With the statutory adjournment of the first session of the 124th Maine State Legislature coming in four weeks, the Appropriations Committee has a budget out of committee.  It will be taken up by the House and Senate beginning Tuesday of next week.  Other bills, including our priorities, are also winding down.  In all, we have done quite well this year, including moving some of our scorecard measures.

Priority Areas  

Lung Cancer

LD 1429:  "An Act To Strengthen the Workplace Smoking Laws and Other Laws Governing Smoking" is law. (Scorecard)

Access to Healthcare

LD 1228: "Resolve, To Direct Action on Health Disparities of the Passamaquody Tribe and Washington County" directs many groups to form an action plan to combat the unacceptable health disparities in Washington County, particularly within the tribe.  It passed unanimously on Tuesday.

Comp Cancer

LD 701: "An Act To Fund the Screening and Early Detection Elements of the Statewide Cancer Plan" is on the Appropriations  table.

LD 781:  "An Act To Designate a Specialty State Lottery Ticket To Benefit Cancer Education and Awareness" was killed yesterday.

LD 909:  "An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Fund Research and Development for Cancer" will be carried over until next session.

LD 919:  "An Act To Prevent and Treat Cancer in Maine by Implementing Critical Portions of the Comprehensive Cancer Program" is still sitting in committee.

Congress:  Health Care ReformMaureen and I continue to meet with our Health Care Reform Partners, and are in the midst of scheduling and planning several forums on women's health and general HCR in both northern and southern Maine.  They will be inclusive forums and include the general public as well as our and our partners' members and/or volunteers.  Stay tuned for dates and times to pass on to your volunteers!

 * The issues that directly impact the NEDiv Business Plan and/or National Scorecard measures in blue.