At Work in Augusta

Sen. John L. Patrick (D-Oxford) Photo:

Sen. John L. Patrick (D-Oxford)

Representative Jarrod S. Crockett (R-Bethel) Photo:

Representative Jarrod S. Crockett (R-Bethel)

Representative G. Paul Waterhouse (R-Bridgton) Photo:

Representative G. Paul Waterhouse (R-Bridgton)

Representative Michael D. McClellan (R-Raymond) Photo:

Representative Michael D. McClellan (R-Raymond)

Rep. Tom Winsor (R- Norway) Photo:

Rep. Tom Winsor (R- Norway)

The following are bills that have been recently introduced to the state legislature by local senators and representatives (in parenthesis). None have yet been voted into law; most have been assigned to committees for consideration and the scheduling of public hearings. To learn more about these bills, or to express an opinion, citizens are encouraged to contact their elected representatives or the state legislature.

Union-weakening

This bill guarantees workers free choice in deciding whether to join or refrain from joining labor unions. It prohibits employers from deducting fees from nonunion employees. (Rep. Winsor, Norway)

Casino fund

This bill establishes the Casino Remedial Fund, and requires a casino to distribute 2 percent of its gaming revenues to be placed in the Casino Remedial Fund. Fund monies will be disbursed to a nonprofit corporation within 35 miles of a casino that can show it has been financially harmed by the casino operations. (Sen. Patrick, Oxford)

State bonds

This bill removes the Maine Governmental Facilities Authority’s ability to issue bonds or negotiable securities beginning October 1, 2011. (Rep. Waterhouse, Bridgton)

Foreclosure refunds

Under current law, if a town forecloses on a property for failure to pay taxes, the town is under no obligation to return any funds that exceed the amount owed in taxes after the sale of the property. This bill requires towns to return the excess funds, after subtracting the tax lien and associated costs. (Rep. McClellan, Raymond)

Property valuation

This bill provides that large increases in the assessed value of property in an unorganized territory must be phased in, so that the impact on the taxpayer is limited to a maximum of 25 percent per year. (Rep. Crockett, Bethel)

Clean Election Act

This resolve directs the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices to study the Maine Clean Election Act to address any adverse rulings by the United States Supreme Court in the case of McComish v. Bennett, which has affected the Clean Elections Acts in other states. (Sen. Patrick, Oxford)