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Friday, June 8, 2007
BerryBlog #32
Bipartisan budget passed; tax reform next week
The
biennial budget was signed by the Governor yesterday afternoon, and has been hailed in the papers as a budget that is both
responsible and forward-thinking.* I cast my vote for it proudly, having fought literally past the 11th hour (the budget
passed the House at 1:30 am on Wednesday) to protect Richmond and MSAD 75's right to self-determination, while seeking
to preserve the carefully balanced budget package as a whole.
The
overwhelming support from both sides of the aisle is a testament to the hard work that has ensured both fiscal and social
responsibility.
Regarding the administrative consolidation of schools, I was able to build in several protections for
Richmond and MSAD 75:
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MSAD
75 will qualify for a "high-performing, efficient schools" option that allows streamlined planning for administrative cost
reductions;
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Richmond
will not be forced to consolidate with MSAD 11, but can choose its own partners;
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Both
districts will be allowed to decide how much local funding to raise, but with greater transparency in the budget through comparison
to other high-performing and efficient districts.
I look
forward to tackling tax and health care reform in the final weeks of this legislative session, and hope you will contact
me with any questions or concerns.
Best,
Seth
http://bangordailynews.com/news/t/viewpoints.aspx?articleid=150737&zoneid=34
Sunday, June 3, 2007
BerryBlog #31
Schools Plan and Budget To Be Voted On this Week
Dear Friends and Constituents:
As you know, we are likely to vote tomorrow
on the budget, including the schools plan. It will likely take several attempts and amendments to pass a final budget
but nevertheless tomorrow is a critical moment.
At present, I am still reviewing the language voted out of the Committee on
Appropriations and Financial Affairs. The bipartisan and unanimous vote of the AFA Committee suggests that this budget
and schools plan is eventually likely to pass, but many rank and file members of the House and Senate also have serious
concerns and unanswered questions.
Over the last weeks, I have met repeatedly with AFA members and with Education
Commissioner Gendron in order to seek improvements to the plan and to seek answers to your concerns and questions.
Clearly, there is a need to find every possible efficiency in running schools and every
other sector of our economy, both public and private. As Thomas Friedman wrote recently, the world is now flat.
We must compete in a global economy, and have some catching up to do. Efficient delivery of government services is an
important part of the sacrifices we must make.
I appreciate the feedback I have received from many of your on this language,
and encourage any additional input, feedback, questions or concerns you may have.
Yours,
Seth
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Click on above dates for archived BerryBlogs
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HOW BAD IS IT, DOC? -- NY Times Interactive Map of State Budget Shortfalls in the U.S.
Note: most states have major budget shortfalls. Those that do not are largely states with strong fossil
fuel (TX, AK, WY, WV) or food (IN, SD, OR, WA) based economies.
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| Bowdoinham's Steen Farm is for sale , protected by ME Farmland Trust. Click for Press Herald story. |
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| Seth and his son at a new wind farm in Maine |
| HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS |
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| Cpl. Cory McCollet of Bowdoin returned home in May from Iraq, & was reunited with daughter Isabella |
As your State Representative, I use this site as another way to keep
you informed and to hear from you. I believe strong communication and a willingness to
work across party lines are critical as we work to move Maine forward.
The BerryBlog is published at least twice a month when
the Legislature is in session. To read previous postings, please click on the archive dates below the current message.
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| Rep. Berry receives the annual Healthy Air Award from the American Lung Association |
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| Rep. Berry receives award from Major Hatt of the Maine National Guard |
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| Representatives Standing Up for Children |
National Debt Clock (over $140,000 per family... and rising)
Public Hearings This Week
How To Testify at Hearings
| BASIC HEALTH CARE IS A RIGHT -- NOT A PRIVILEGE |
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| Speaking to Richmond elders on schools, health care and tax fairness (see Seth in the News, 3/5/07). |
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