Expanding veterans’ education opportunities
From the Maine House
By Rep. Robert J. Saucier
(D-Presque Isle)
As the legislative session advances, I remain dedicated to making veterans a top priority. As a veteran of the Air Force, a disabled veteran through the VA, and a retired Artillery Officer in the Maine Army National Guard, I am keenly aware of the sacrifices servicemen make. I have witnessed military personnel face extended stretches away from their family, emotional trauma and an uncertain future once they leave the military.
My experiences in the military have led me to introduce L.D. 409, An Act To Establish a Veteran-to-Farmer Training Pilot Program. The bill calls for the University of Maine System and several state agencies to design a postsecondary education certificate program that will enable U.S. military veterans to develop farming skills while also addressing the difficulties some veterans face in transitioning back to civilian life after military service.
As a 4-year-veteran of the Air Force and proud G.I. bill beneficiary, I understand the value of an education for service members. Because of the education I received through the G.I bill, I was able to find a good paying job as a civilian employee with the Dept. of Defense, the Defense Logistics Agency and the Social Security Administration. My legislation would expand the education opportunities available to veterans and give them the skills they need to earn a decent living. What is more, by offering specialized training programs in agriculture, we will cultivate the new generation of farmers needed to support traditional industries in northern Maine.
All Mainers deserve access to a great education. Regrettably, the supplemental budget, a recently adopted bill that will bring state expenses in line with revenue for the remainder of the fiscal year, balances the budget by cutting funding for rural Maine public schools but exempting charter public schools. This is unacceptable, which is why I sent a strong message to House leadership that I won’t allow the Legislature to hurt public schools by voting against this bill. In the future I hope Democrats and Republicans will work together to restore these hurtful cuts.
Despite the cuts to education, I am proud that Democrats worked with Republicans to significantly improve the governor’s original supplemental budget proposal. The improvements included the restoration of the Drugs for the Elderly Program and cost-of-living adjustments for retired state employees. Additionally, we rejected the governor’s reductions in hospital reimbursement rates and outpatient services, cuts to private non-medical institutions and cap on General Assistance – the last safety net for the poorest of our residents.
Now that the supplemental budget has been approved, the Legislature’s focus moves to the biennial budget. As budget negotiations move forward, I am urging my fellow members to support policies that will grow Maine’s middle class. This will require creating a fair tax system, improving access to job training programs, investing in our roads and bridges, and provide adequate funding for HeadStart and our public schools.
As always, I hope you will feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail with your questions or concerns at 207-227-1160 and www.saucierforpi@gmail.com.
