Augusta, ME – The Maine Jobs Council, a new, statewide, nonpartisan, member-driven advocacy organization that advances public policies to support
Tell Your lawmakers: Maine needs a comprehensive plan to grow economy that reflects state’s diverse interests
Augusta, ME – The Maine Jobs Council, a new, statewide, nonpartisan, member-driven advocacy organization that advances public policies to support the creation and preservation of foundational jobs in Maine, today announced its opposition to plans to pass a single-party, simple majority state budget by April 1.
We need your support. Tell lawmakers to support a bi-partisan vote on the state budget that follows the normal budgetary process and allows for input a wide spectrum of Maine interests. Click HERE to send them an email now!
“The Maine Jobs Council believes this hyper-partisan decision takes Maine in exactly the wrong direction away from compromise, cooperation, and an inclusive vision of the state’s future,” said Executive Director Ben Lucas. “Our bi-partisan, apolitical Board endorses this position independent of party and we hope the majority party reconsiders and allows the normal budgetary process to unfold with collaboration and everyone working together.”
The Maine Jobs Council believes the state needs a comprehensive plan and vision to support and grow the economy for all of us. That starts with accounting for everyone’s interests and enacting policies that put people to work, attract investment, provide quality training and jobs skills, improve our economic competitiveness, and enable job creation. And that requires everyone’s involvement and all of us working together.
One hallmark of Maine’s budget process is the requirement for a bi-partisan vote for final approval. Traditionally, work on the budget proceeds throughout the legislative session and backs up against the state’s fiscal year July 1. That means it needs a two-thirds majority vote to take effect as emergency legislation rather than waiting the normal 90 days post-adjournment.
This process assures careful consideration by both major parties and input from and support by a wide spectrum of Maine interests. It gives the minority party a voice in major issues and minimizes the disenfranchisement of important statewide constituencies. Perhaps of equal importance, it brings Mainers together, requires some degree of compromise, takes account of diverse opinions, and is an expression of Maine’s values and priorities that includes all of us.
