I’m honored to be serving my second term in the House of Representatives, and my favorite part of the job remains the same: meeting with constituents and hearing directly from the people I work for. Lately, what I'm hearing most often is deep concern about affordability. Families and seniors are struggling to stay in their homes amid skyrocketing electricity prices, persistent inflation, and ever-rising property taxes – all exacerbated by prolonged single-party control in Augusta.
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| State Rep. Barbara Bagshaw |
Property taxes hit hardest on fixed-income seniors. I supported restructuring the senior property tax stabilization program rather than eliminating it, but the majority prevailed. Next session, I plan to introduce a bill – collaborating with a constituent from across the aisle – to revive and strengthen similar protections. My parents were lifelong Kennedy Democrats, and I've come to realize our shared values on fiscal responsibility transcend party lines. When constituents reach out, I don't ask about their registration; I help because that's the job they hired me to do.
As a 25-year teacher and member of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, I'm deeply troubled by Maine's failing student performance. Recent NAEP results show Maine fourth- and eighth-graders posting some of the lowest scores in three decades in reading and math, with little meaningful recovery from pandemic disruptions. Despite this crisis, committee priorities remain dominated by majority-party bills.
On our first day back this session, I requested to address these declining test scores seriously – sadly, I have little confidence it will happen. No minority proposals advance through the Legislative Council, and many education initiatives originate from the Department of Education itself, rather than the committee directing the department as intended. We need balance: a renewed focus on basics – reading, math, core academics – over an overemphasis on equity, inclusion, and social justice issues. As a childless taxpayer who has always supported schools through property taxes (a significant portion of which funds education), I want a better return on that investment.
The majority party's decisions to lift municipal tax increase caps have fueled these rising property taxes, threatening long-term affordability in communities like Windham. Supplemental budgets loom because of unchecked spending, often with minimal input from the minority. I've voted against otherwise good bills when they included tax hikes I couldn't support.
The majority votes as a bloc, rarely breaking ranks – a discipline that serves party unity but often overlooks Maine taxpayers. We must prioritize struggling residents over policies that divert resources to economic migrants here unlawfully, without the consent of the governed. Government derives its power from the people; when that consent is ignored, trust erodes.
Single-party rule has persisted too long in Augusta, contributing to higher costs and neglected priorities. Change is needed – not just rhetoric or press conferences, but real action to lower electricity bills, cap taxes, and refocus schools on fundamentals. I've been grateful for constituents who thank me for simply returning calls or emails. I take seriously that the people of Windham hired me to serve them, not an agenda or power structure. Too many in Augusta – and Washington – have forgotten they work for the people, not the other way around.
It's time to restore balance, accountability, and focus on what matters most: helping Maine families afford to stay here and building a brighter future for our children.
It is an honor to represent part of Windham in the Legislature. If there is any way that I can be of assistance, please contact me at [email protected] .My office phone number is 207-287-1440. You can find me on Facebook. To receive regular updates, sign up for my e-newsletter at https://mainehousegop.org/
The opinions in this column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of The Windham Eagle newspaper ownership or its staff. <
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