Posted by Dick Hall

Erik Jorgensen, Maine Legislature representing Maine House District 41, elected to the Legislature in 2012, and member of Portland Rotary, was back to report on the most-recent past session.

The First Regular Session of the 128th Maine Legislature convened December 7, 2016 and adjourned, August 2, 2017. It was the longest session in history of Maine. Erik’s service has allowed him to have experiences ranging from his visits to a marijuana cultivation facility, and to visit a huge hydro facility 1400 miles north of Quebec. Erik told us he is lucky to have a job with such experiences.

1650 bills were filed and 350 new laws were enacted. The vast majority of bills were killed by unanimous vote of the committees of jurisdiction. This unanimous record disputes those who say no one can work together. Erik told us that the dysfunction in Washington makes Maine’s dysfunction look amateur in comparison.  Most of the 350 laws which were enacted, were modifications and clarifications of existing law. He was disappointed that they were unable to pass a meaningful solar law. The citizen referendums dominated most of the time in the session. He believes that Maine needs to have an effective tax structure, but we must be competitive with nearby states.

Marijuana legalization for recreational purposes: Erik worked on this committee and says that he had a change of mind after studying the issue as part of the committee. He pointed out that it's very difficult to regulate a product when there is no requirement for labeling what level of active ingredients are in the product. Consumers need to know what is in that brownie or cream which is purchased. 

With a lot of work from both parties, the 3% surcharge for highest earners was eliminated, and schools were funded at a higher level, which came from a non-sustainable source, so this issue will likely return.

The reform of the minimum wage was changed to keep the tip credit intact. The removal of the tip credit was probably not intended, but as written, it occurred.

Unfortunately, other participating groups at the meeting venue created a level of noise making it impossible to hear the balance of Erik’s remarks and, after extending our apologies to him, he was invited to return at a later date.

(Photo L-R: Erik Jorgensen, Bob Martin, and President Don Zillman.)