Electricity Assistance for Small Businesses Passes Legislature

We recently told you that Mainers can expect some relief from high energy costs from LD 1913, legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli that was signed into law on April 18th. Now, Maine’s small businesses can also hope to receive aid for their electricity needs.

Senate President Troy Jackson introduced LD 2010, “Resolve, To Help Certain Businesses with Electricity Costs,” to meet the rising costs of electricity for small businesses across the state. The bill would make tiered credit up to $3,000 available to offset massive increases in the standard offer for electricity, which nearly doubled this year. Businesses that are considered “medium-general service” under the standard offer and have seen a significant increase in their electric bill are eligible to receive this credit, to be paid out by the end of October at the latest from the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

We’re happy to report that this bill was passed by both the House and the Senate on April 19th and is expected to be signed by Governor Mills in the very near future. Mainers for Working Families applauds Senator Jackson and the Maine Legislature for taking this important step to help Maine’s small businesses thrive in these challenging times.

Electricity Assistance Bill Signed Into Law

As inflation rises, it’s getting harder to meet some of our basic needs. Trips to the grocery store are breaking the bank. Home heating costs are out of control. Gas prices are at their highest since the 2008 recession. And the cost of electric power is skyrocketing in response to ongoing supply issues with natural gas, exacerbated by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Many have seen their monthly energy bills jump by hundreds of dollars.

When it comes to electricity, however, Mainers will soon receive a helping hand.

LD 1913, “An Act To Review Strategies for Improving Utility Rate Affordability and To Provide Utility Relief,” directs the Public Utilities Commission to create a relief program to help seniors and other struggling Mainers pay for their energy bills, including bills from this past winter, and any late fees that might have accrued. To ensure that these relief funds work for as long as possible, the Public Utilities Commission will establish, alongside Efficiency Maine, an education program regarding energy-efficient upgrades and applying for other financial relief programs. The bill also directs the Public Advocate to create a commission of stakeholders to review utility rates and come up with a plan to ensure that Maine people will be able to afford their energy bills as the state modernizes its electric grid and moves toward energy independence.

“Many Mainers saw their electric bills nearly double this winter, hitting working and retired Mainers, their families and small businesses hard,” said Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli, who introduced the bill in January. “This bill is designed to give Mainers a louder voice in the conversation about energy rates to make sure we’re considering any and all options that help people keep the lights on.”

We’re happy to report that LD 1913 was signed into law by Governor Mills yesterday. Because it’s an emergency measure, it will go into effect immediately. Mainers for Working Families thanks Senator Vitelli, the Maine Legislature, and Governor Mills for taking this important action to keep electricity affordable for all Mainers. Times may be tough, but with our leaders in Augusta taking action to lighten the load, we will come out of this period stronger than ever.

Funding Maine Schools In Uncertain Times

It’s been a tough few years for Maine students and educators. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic created major disruptions in the routines of our youngest populations and the caring professionals who work with them.

For many schools and universities already facing difficulties, COVID-19 compounded those challenges and introduced a new hurdle: how to ensure a safe learning environment amid a pandemic.

Meanwhile, some parents were making the transition to home-schooling, dramatically shifting enrollment numbers in public schools across the state. Recorded data suggests that the number of children who were homeschooled in Maine grew by as much as 74 percent in 2021 as compared to the year before.

Recognizing the vital role of education funding in a time of uncertainty, Senator Joseph Rafferty of Kennebunk introduced LD 1207 - An Act To Maintain the Current Level of Education Funding.

The bill would require the Commissioner of Education to use student enrollment numbers from the pre-pandemic period to determine operating costs, even if a school’s enrollment declined after 2020. This would ensure that schools aren’t funded based on a fluctuating or likely inaccurate number of students as many continue to transition in and out of the school system.

The act was written as an emergency bill, which means LD 1207 would take effect immediately if it were to be passed by a two-thirds majority in both houses of the Maine Legislature.

After two years of managing the pandemic, it’s clear that there is still much more work to be done. We applaud Senator Rafferty for taking this step to ensure appropriate education funding goes to our public schools during Maine’s recovery.