E-Newsletter from Representative Abigail Griffin

131^st Legislature List of Bills and Bill Titles

The 131^st Legislature is underway, with over 2,200 bills already being introduced and referred to the legislative committees that will schedule public hearings and issue recommendations to the full legislature. 

Over the course of the next several months, the legislature will be developing a biennial (two-year) budget. The process recently began when Governor Mills submitted her proposed budget for legislative consideration. The Appropriations Committee will hold hearings on her proposed budget and ultimately make recommendations. That process has traditionally involved both political parties in order to win broad-based approval.

You can find the preliminary list of bills and working titles here.

What Are Winter Energy Relief Payments? 

The Winter Energy Relief Payments are $450 direct checks to eligible Maine individuals. It’s the fastest, most direct way to get help to Maine people by putting money back into their pockets to help with high energy prices this winter. These payments are part of a larger Emergency Winter Energy Relief Plan proposed by the Governor and approved by the Legislature as an emergency measure. The $450 checks will be sent to an estimated 880,000 eligible Maine individuals.

Click here to find the answers to your questions about the Winter Energy Relief Payments.

Maine Child Welfare Services Ombudsman Annual Report 

The Maine Child Welfare Services Ombudsman has released its annual report. The report raises several troubling issues, indicating that our child welfare system is falling short of its duty to protect children. The Ombudsman is one source of information available to policy makers, providing neutral objective assessment of concerns raised by individuals involved in child welfare cases through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services.

Members of the Health and Human Services Committee will have the opportunity to hear from the Ombudsman and everyone working toward the safety of our children. When laws for criminals are loosened, crimes against our children rise. The HHS Committee and others are working diligently to keep families healthy. All stakeholders need to be part of finding solutions to the issues raised in the report. Most importantly, I want to hear from you if you have concerns, suggestions or questions about this other issues involving the state of Maine.

Don’t Forget to Renew Your Dog Licenses 

The online renewal service will allow renewals without a late fee through January 31, 2023. If you are licensing a wolf hybrid, service/search or rescue dog or obtaining a kennel license please contact your municipal office.

What you will need:

• Credit Card
• License/Tag number (Renewal only)
• State of Maine Rabies certificate
• Veterinarian's name and phone number
• Spay or Neuter Certificate (if your dog has been "fixed")

To use the online renewal service click here. 

Increase Your Awareness Around Plow Trucks – What Do They See?

(Graphic Courtesy of the Maine DOT)