Attendees:  Fifteen people in attendance

State Legislative Report

Maine Budget Crisis

The Maine Supplemental Budget has had public hearings before the Health & Human Services and the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committees.  The Supplemental Budget is dealing with the $95 million shortfall in the current budget.  The legislature will also have to deal with another $99 million shortfall because of less state revenues (taxes and fees) coming in and because of cuts in federal funding.  Many people at the meeting commented that the federal funding cuts were putting the states in crisis.  They feel that our tax dollars are being used for war and for tax cuts to the rich.  Instead it should be used for health care, education, living wage jobs, childcare, clean environment and healthy food in the U.S.  People suggested that we contact our Congress members. http://www.congress.org

There are many serious cuts in the Supplemental Budget, including those to the HOME fund and mental health and elder services. MEJP and MAIN took the lead on the following:

·         General Assistance cuts to TANF families;

·         ‘Good’ TANF proposals that would increase the Housing Special Needs payment and offer extra help to families leaving TANF for work.;

·         SSI for legal immigrants;

·         Freezing enrollment in the noncat MaineCare program.

(Look in the latest MAIN Update for details on the budget and other legislation.)

Several MAIN members shared very powerful stories in their testimonies. Denying General Assistance to TANF families puts them at great risk during an emergency. 4900 people are on the waiting list for the MaineCare noncategorical program. 6700 will drop off the program by the end of June.  Cuts are penny wise and pound foolish.  You may save a few dollars in this budget but before long those in need will turn to other programs, emergency rooms, and faith-based groups that are also running out of funds.  The need is great. 

 MEJP, MAIN and allies are suggesting:

 * 1/3rd come from budget stabilization/‘rainy day’ fund.   

 * 1/3rd from efficiencies in health care (bulk buying of  prescription drugs, services etc)

*  1/3rd from raising taxes on alcohol, tobacco and snacks – health related items (also looking at raising the sales tax by 1 penny, and possibly taxing luxury items like meals at restaurants and ski lift tickets.)

The proposed items in the budget to help TANF families -  housing special needs increase and workers’ supplement - will not make up for the proposed cut in access to General Assistance to TANF families.

TAKE ACTION!  If you have a personal story to share about how these budget proposals will affect you, please contact your legislators. You can’t assume that lawmakers understand what goes on in your life.  It is critical for people affected to come forward.  They need to hear that there is no room in your family budget to make up for these cuts.  You can find out who they are and how to contact them online:  www.congress.org then type in your zip code under “My Elected Officials” on the left side of the screen. 

The budget will be voted on before April 1.

Child Care

There are child care proposals to cut funds to families using their family members or friends to provide child care. The proposal’s goal is to make sure that childcare providers are ‘trained’.  MAIN thinks that the option to use family members and friends should be available.  Each child has different needs. Family members can be great providers.  There often aren’t childcare services available in all areas of the state, for children with special needs, for all times of the day (e.g. evening shift; varied work schedules), and there are often waiting lists for childcare.

Minimum wage

The minimum wage bill proposes

·         An increase to $8.40 per hour;

·         Indexes it to inflation;

·         Increases tip credit for wait staff so they get a higher wage; and

·         Ends the exemption from the minimum wage law for non-profit organizations.

 A work session in the Labor Committee is scheduled for Monday, Feb 25, 2008, 2:00 pm in Room 220 Cross Building.

TAKE ACTION!  Letters to the editor in local newspapers are needed talking about why raising the minimum wage is important.  If you need help writing a letter, please contact a MAIN leader

MAIN Leaders Report

Eliminating Poverty Campaign

LD 1110 Create a Council on Poverty and Economic Justice. This bill has been re-drafted to include two positions for people who have experience living in poverty. 

Work Session in the Health and Human Services Committee is Thursday, Feb 28, 2008, 1:00 pm in Room 209 Cross Building.

Discussion on ending poverty: 

MAIN could hold informal grassroots discussions in our own communities to get ideas on what it will take to end poverty.  Use the website as a way to get people’s ideas and get interest in having local discussions.  A work group was formed. If you’re interested in helping, contact Heather at 899-9671.

Investing in someone who is struggling benefits all of society. Help people get to college or other post secondary education or training.  Change our thinking about what we invest in. Invest to empower people and strengthen communities.  Design programs specifically for each community. 

End corporate welfare (BETR program; TIF’s; tax credits to large corporations that don’t need it).  Corporate welfare has not been proven to be a benefit for the community at large only for individuals.  Also… Create microenterprise networks to help small businesses with funding, sharing skills, and cooperating with each other to provide services like accounting and bulk purchasing.

Lots of jobs are leaving Maine.  Teach people and support people to start and run local businesses.  College isn’t the answer for everyone. 

Treasurer’s report

We need to raise money!  We spend about $200 each month on travel and childcare reimbursement for those who attend MAIN meetings.

 *****Fundraising meeting: Friday, Feb 29 10:00 am – 12:00 at MEJP (MAIN Leadership meeting to follow: 12:00 – 2:00). Everyone is welcome to the fundraising meeting. Please let us know if you will attend by calling Pam at 458-2210.

Dental Care: Many MAIN members are concerned about getting dental care.  MaineCare rarely pays for dental care for adults, and dentists who accept MaineCare for children are becoming hard to find.  Dentists in Maine are aging, and are not being replaced quickly enough by new dentists.  Maine Oral Health is a coalition that meets monthly to work on increasing access to dental care in Maine.  Their website includes a list of public and private clinics in Maine: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/bohdcfh/odh/.  Judy Feinstein is the contact person: Phone: (207) 287-2361 or 1-800-698-3624, ext. 2361   TTY: (800) 606-0215    Governor Baldacci also has a committee working on how to meet the dental needs of Maine people.

Home Heating Crisis

With home heating prices high, as well as prices for other basic need items, many households are struggling to keep warm.  Citizen’s Energy (JOE-4OIL) has stopped taking applications.   Maine has gotten more money for LIHEAP.  Many community groups have started their own funds to help neighbors.  Contact your local Community Action Program to see if you can get help or more help from LIHEAP and about other local resources.  Also check the latest MAIN Update for other programs that can help with other expenses in order to free up cash so you can heat your home.

Door Prize: We offered a Door Prize for the first time at a MAIN meeting. The purpose is to get people to the meeting on time, and because it’s fun!  The ‘door prize’ drawing will be held at 9:45.