From the Legislature Submitted by Rep. Jonathan McKane

Governor Releases Supplemental Budget ProposalOn Dec. 16, Gov. Baldacci released his supplemental budget proposal to cover the approximately $140 million shortfall in Fiscal Year 2009. It will be considered by the Legislature when they return to session in January. The supplemental budget contains no tax or fee increases. It does contain the cuts in the Governor’s Curtailment Order and proposes a number of additional cuts, including: Eliminating 94 positions, including 40 layoffs (the other positions are vacant); closes one of the two housing units at the Charleston Correctional Facility and transfers 22 state prisoners to county facilities; eliminates the Dept. of Correction’s Office of Advocacy; changes the reimbursement rate for Critical Access Hospitals and for hospital-based physicians; and utilizes $45 million from the state’s reserve accounts.

The governor will present the 2010-11 biennial budget to the Legislature on Jan. 9. The budget must account for a projected shortfall of $838 million. The governor has pledged that there will be no tax increases in his proposal for the biennial budget.

The complete Supplemental Budget is available online at www.maine.gov/budget/.

Maine Joins Educational Consortium, Drops MEA

The governor announced that Maine will join a regional educational consortium with New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont in a regional attempt to redefine the concept of high school, all while sharing ideas for boosting high school graduation rates and enrolling more students in college.

The project is being funded by a number of private grants, including from the Nellie Mae Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The announcement follows the recent decision to drop the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) test for a regional standardized test.

The Great Schools Partnership, based at the Mitchell Institute at the University of Southern Maine, will coordinate the regional collaborative. The four states will review education policies, graduation requirements, and programs already in place.2009 Hunting and fishing licenses available onlineThe Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has made 2009 hunting and fishing licenses available online through the Maine Online Sportsman Electronic System (MOSES), available at www.informe.org/moses/.

The system is easy to use and has recently been upgraded with new features. License buyers will need to have available their personal information, such as first and last name, address, date of birth, and other pertinent information. Also, they’ll need their previous hunting license number or safety course number (if you are purchasing a hunting authority) and a credit card number. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit and debit cards are accepted.

Any resident or non-resident sportsperson looking to hunt or fish in Maine can use MOSES. This online service is not available for individuals that need to obtain a complimentary, lifetime, or military license or those from countries other than the United States or Canada.

State Rep. Jonathan McKane represents Edgecomb, Newcastle, Damariscotta, Bristol, South Bristol and Monhegan Plantation, and encourages constituents to send thoughts, ideas, questions and opinions. Contact Rep. McKane for more information on this or any other issue at 563-5427 or by email at Jon@JonMcKane.com.