My bill to help Maine people afford health insurance and strengthen rural health care is moving forward! Advocates testified to the number of Mainers dropping coverage because they can't afford it. That's not right. This bill will help those families and the healthcare system across Maine.
170,000 Mainers depend on SNAP to feed themselves and their families. It's a critical lifeline for children, working adults, seniors and people with disabilities. They deserve to know they will be able to get the food they need.
The graphic shows two Maine maps. One shows childhood food insecurity rates. The other shows the potential impact on retailers that accept SNAP.
Federal cuts to SNAP are going to hit rural communities in Maine the hardest, but they will have ripple effects on families across our state. Thanks to Democrats on the Health and Human Services committee for advancing my bill to help protect Mainers from these cruel cuts.
Towns know where they want to welcome growth-- often near community centers and close to existing public sewer and water. We need to make sure that can happen by addressing infrastructure needs. That's why I'm proposing a bond to make upgrades and cut down this barrier to building more housing.
Trump's War on Iran helped the average price of heating oil in Maine jump 26% in two weeks - from $3.82 a gallon on February 23 to $4.83 a gallon on March 9. It's now at the highest price in more than 3 years. #mepolitics
www.maine.gov/energy/heati...
From a president who has never had to think twice about fitting a 100 gallon heating oil delivery into his monthly budget.
Speaker Fecteau delivers remarks in the State House Welcome Center. He is surrounded by lawmakers and advocates. The are holding signs that say #SNAPMattersToMe.
(left to right) Rep. Flavia DeBrito, Rep. Sharon Frost, Speaker Fecteau, Rep. Lynn Copeland, Rep. Jan Dodge and Rep. Lori Gramlich stand holding signs during the press conference.
Anna Korsen, Deputy Director of Full Plates Full Potential, speaks during the press conference. She is surrounded by lawmakers and advocates.
(left to right) Rep. Lynn Copeland, Don Bisson, President & Manager of the Biddeford Food Pantry, Rep. Marc Malon and Speaker Ryan Fecteau gather for a group photo.
Yesterday, I joined food pantry leaders and advocates to introduce my bill, LD 2122, to protect food assistance in the face of reckless federal cuts and government shutdowns. We can ensure that families, kids, veterans, and older Mainers aren't left worrying about how to put food on the table.
Shows a newspaper clipping from the Maine Morning Star. Headline reads 'Thousands of Mainers are living without health insurance since premiums skyrocketed'.
Because of Congress, Mainers like Rachel Phipps are forced to pay thousands for health care insurance or risk going without it. It's unacceptable. That's why I've introduced a bill to help families and seniors keep their coverage.
I am thrilled that the Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously to support my bill, LD 1932. It will provide a much-needed cost-of-living adjustment for these workers and will require the state to report critical information to help us close the care gap.
Maine is facing a critical shortage of workers to care for older Mainers and those with disabilities. And it's no secret why – low wages keep people from entering the profession and drive good staff away.
Kate Ende, Policy Director with Consumers for Affordable Health Care (CAHC), testifies in support of the bill.
My bill will help our rural hospitals, lower insurance costs and help Mainers to keep their coverage. I am grateful for the advocates who told lawmakers about the impact of federal changes and how we can prevent further damage to our health care system.
Speaker Fecteau presents his bill before the committee.
Sen. Donna Bailey and Rep. Kristi Mathieson, chairs of HCIFS, listen as an advocate speaks during the hearing.
LD 2208 is about ensuring Maine people can get the health care coverage they need and can afford. Because Congress passed HR 1, tens of thousands of Maine people are at serious risk of losing their insurance or dropping it because of cost.
My latest newsletter is out now. There is information about my bills, a reminder for upcoming Biddeford ward meetings and timely resources for student loan borrowers.
🔗 mailchi.mp/9c686b87f1dd...
Democratic lawmakers listen during the remarks.
I'm looking forward to seeing these bills move forward so we can provide meaningful relief to Maine families.
Senator Cameron Reny delivers remarks at a podium. Democratic lawmakers stand behind her holding signs that say 'health care' and 'lower costs, stronger communities'.
Sen. Cameron Reny has a bill to increase pharmacy access in rural and underserved areas, reducing travel expenses and helping Mainers avoid costly emergency room visits when they’re unable to get affordable prescriptions locally. 🧵
Democratic lawmakers listen during the remarks.
Our proposals will not only address this problem but also strengthen health care access in rural areas. 🧵
Speaker Fecteau delivers remarks at a podium. Democratic lawmakers stand behind him holding signs that say 'health care' and 'lower costs stronger communities'.
Democrats in the House and Senate continue to push to make health care affordable and accessible for Maine people. For many, this is one of their biggest monthly expenses, and federal changes are already exacerbating this. 🧵
Love seeing this day care center identifying a big challenge for families and taking action to solve it.
I testified in strong support of the bill earlier this year and am glad it is one step closer to becoming law.
The Maine House voted unanimously yesterday to close a dangerous loophole related to AI-generated child pornography. LD524 will help police & prosecutors stop these predators. I thank Rep. Amy Kuhn for working diligently with law enforcement to create a comprehensive bill to protect Maine children.
Voting is not a privilege. It is a right.
Grok @grok Howard Lutnick, US Commerce Secretary and architect of Trump's tariff plans, stepped down from Cantor Fitzgerald (now run by his sons) before taking office. Reports from Wired and Newsweek indicate Cantor bought tariff refund rights from importers in 2025 at 20-30 cents on the dollar, positioning for profits if tariffs were invalidated. Today's Supreme Court ruling struck down most tariffs, potentially enabling $175B+ in refunds. This could yield billions for Cantor, though they deny betting against policy. A Senate probe examines conflicts.
Howard Lutnik, the mastermind behind Trump’s tariff plan, bought the tariff refund rights through his bank at $0.25 on the dollar last year. Actively betting on his own policy to not work.
Lutnik and his bank now stand to make billions.
The graphic shows newspaper clippings on a blue background. The article from the Bangor Daily News is titled "As new industry grows in Aroostook, housing for workers is uncertain."
Northern Maine is looking to bring in new businesses and industries, but housing is a limiting factor. To strengthen Maine's economy, we need to keep building more housing options across the state, including in Aroostook County.
🔗 www.bangordailynews.com/2026/02/19/a...
Interesting to see how the average cost of renting versus buying has changed over time by county in Maine (and across the country). Certainly, cost is only one factor, and there are pros/cons for both options. But seeing it laid out like this is very eye-opening.
The Valentine's Day Bandit strikes again!
The Chief Justice speaks to lawmakers from the House and Senate.
The Chief Justice speaks to lawmakers from the House and Senate.
Speaker Fecteau, Governor Mills and President Daughtry listen to the Chief Justice's remarks.
Thank you to Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill for coming before the legislature today to present on the State of the Judiciary. It is important for lawmakers to hear about the progress of the Judicial branch with hiring, court processes and updating technology.
