Sen Claxton 3/22 Update

Dear friend,

In the committee I co-chair, State and Local Government, we continue to work to come up with commonsense decisions. Sometimes that means not creating new laws, other times it means working to get a bill we can all support. Yes, we sometimes disagree on topics but the discussions are respectful and all of us are trying to help Mainers. I'm happy to be part of a process of civil discussion in Augusta. Please read on to hear more about what I've been up to in Augusta.

As always, you can contact me with any concerns you have by emailing me or calling my office at (207) 287-1515.

Sincerely,

Ned Claxton

Office hours in Auburn and Minot

Auburn: April 5 from 9 am to 10 am at Auburn Town Hall, 60 Court Street.

Minot: April 26 from 8 am to 9 am at Minot Town Office, 329 Woodman Hill Road.

Please feel free to drop in with any questions, comments, concerns or just to say hello. All are welcome.

Additional dates and locations for public office hours throughout Senate District 20 will follow. Senate District 20 includes Auburn, Mechanic Falls, Minot, New Gloucester and Poland.

Prescription drugs just cost too much - here's what we're doing about it

This month, I stood with my colleagues to unveil an ambitious plan to reduce the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs in Maine. Going door-to-door last year, I heard from too many people struggling to choose between paying for their medicine and paying for food, rent, heat or childcare. But this is a sad thing we see every day. In just the last 20 years, the cost of insulin has gone from $20 a vial to $300 or more, with that cost doubling in the last few years. This is outrageous and unacceptable.

That's why I'm proud to serve with lawmakers who are interested in meaningful change that will help Mainers. The package of bills put forward by Senate President Troy Jackson, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli and Sen. Heather Sanborn come at the issue from several angles, because we know there is no silver bullet for this problem.

The changes in this bill package include:

Opening a way for Maine to import high-quality drugs from Canada at wholesale prices, where the costs for prescription medicines are on average 30 percent less than they are here in the U.S.

Regulating pharmacy benefit managers, the middle-man, and making sure savings from pharmaceutical companies are passed on to consumers.

Building on the success of a law passed last session by requiring pharmaceutical companies to be transparent about what is causing the greatest increases in drug prices.

I'm glad we're coming together to continue our stand for everyday Mainers, and I want you to know my colleagues and I are 100 percent committed to putting Maine people before big pharma profits.

Hardworking Mainers deserve earned paid sick days

No worker should ever be fired because they get sick. No worker should ever have to choose between staying home to recover from an illness or earning a needed paycheck. But that happens for far too many workers in Maine. That's why Sen. Rebecca Millett has submitted a bill that offers common-sense protection for Maine workers. Sen. Millett's bill would make sure that companies that employ five or more people allow workers to earn up to five paid sick days a year.

Maine businesses know healthy workers make a healthy work environment. That's why more than 180 small businesses from around the state support this measure. This is a bill that could be good for employers and employees alike. I continue to study the bill as it progresses in the legislature but haven't decided how I'll vote. Are you a business that would welcome this idea or not? I'd be happy to hear from you.

Maple Sunday is a tasty way to celebrate a Maine industry

Every year, my family and I look forward to Maine Maple Sunday -- one of our state's sweetest traditions. It's a day for sugar shacks and farms across the state to open their doors to the public so families can see first-hand what goes into making maple syrup and all the delicious maple products that are unique to Maine. To see participating locations, visit here: https://mainemapleproducers.com/maine-maple-sunday

News From Around the District (click on the links for more information)

Congratulations to this year's Western Maine Conference boys' Bob Butler Award winner John Martin of Gray-New Gloucester.

Benefit for Good Shepherd Food Bank at Coolidge Farm March 23.

The City of Auburn is seeking volunteers to serve on various boards and committees, applications are due by April 22.

Mechanic Falls Budget Committee met on March 7, click here for an update.

Minot Community Day planning meeting to be held on April 1.

Poland annual town elections will be held April 5.

100 years of women's suffrage

In 1919, Maine voted to ratify the 19th Amendment, granting U.S. women the right to vote. Now, 100 years after that incredible milestone, and 146 years after the Maine Woman Suffrage Association's first meeting in 1873, we celebrate the political accomplishments of Maine women. From the first women elected to Maine Legislature - 1923 for the House of Representatives and 1926 for the Senate - to the first woman elected to the Blaine House just this past year, women's impact on Maine politics is undeniable. Right now, in the 129th Legislature, we have 71 women serving as state lawmakers - the highest number in state history.

To help celebrate these momentous accomplishments, Sen. Cathy Breen has introduced a joint resolution recognizing the long road to women's suffrage. Also, the Maine State Museum in Augusta has announced a new exhibit, "Women's Long Road - 100 Years to the Vote," which will open Saturday, March 23. The exhibit will be on view through January 25, 2020.

Senator Ned Claxton | (207) 287-1515 | ned.claxton@legislature.maine.gov | www.mainesenate.org