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Legislative Advocacy Update: Fighting for Maine’s Builders
As we reach the halfway mark of the first session of the 132nd Legislature, the State House is buzzing with activity. ABC’s lobbying and advocacy team is hard at work representing you in Augusta. Here’s a snapshot of key issues we’re monitoring and influencing.
Supplemental and Biennial State Budgets
Lawmakers remain deadlocked over a solution to fill a $121 million shortfall in the state’s current budget. Rising enrollment and inflation have driven a $118 million deficit in MaineCare. The supplemental budget also includes funding to combat the spruce budworm, which is ravaging Maine’s forest products industry.
Democrats and Republicans have been negotiating for nearly a month. Republicans are seeking increased controls on state contributions to local General Assistance programs, along with long-term reforms to transition people to private health insurance. On March 11, progress appeared possible when the Maine House voted 113-27 in favor of the supplemental budget. However, the Maine Senate’s 22-11 vote fell just short of the two-thirds majority needed for emergency enactment. Without emergency passage, payments to providers could be delayed until October.
Simultaneously, legislators are negotiating the state’s $11.7 billion budget for 2026-2027—the largest in Maine’s history. With a nearly $500 million shortfall, lawmakers must either cut services or find new funding sources. In the last two budget cycles, Maine Democrats passed a budget via simple majority to avoid negotiations with Republicans. If they take the same approach this time, the budget must pass by April 1—no joke!
Right-to-Work Bill Fails in Committee
On February 26, the Legislature’s Labor Committee voted 7-4 against LD 187, a bill sponsored by Rep. Josh Morris (R-Turner) to extend private-sector employees the same union membership rights as public-sector employees. ABC Maine testified in support of the bill on February 12. The measure now moves to the House floor for final consideration.
Eliminating Outdated Regulations
ABC Maine collaborated with Rep. Lydia Crafts (D-Newcastle) to amend LD 659, originally intended to ease certain requirements for single-family homes and duplexes. Through member input, an outdated and costly fire alarm provision was identified. ABC drafted an amendment, which Rep. Crafts agreed to support, and presented it to the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee on March 6. A work session is scheduled for a later date.
As always, your ABC Maine Legislative team is always working for you. We invite you to join us Wednesday mornings at 7:30 AM for our Government Affairs committee. Contact Hope for more information.