Jessica Fay: Stepping up to protect Maine’s natural resources

By State Rep. Jessica Fay

Greetings! It sure looks and feels like fall is finally here! While we take this time to appreciate all that fall in Maine has to offer, we are proud of the work our state has done to protect our natural resources.

State Rep. Jessica Fay

As your state representative, one of my top priorities is to safeguard our environment for us, our families, and generations to come.

This past legislative session, we enacted a budget that will invest $3 million in community grants for climate resilience, $7.5 million in infrastructure adaptation for storms and nearly $17 million to match existing federal water quality program funds.

Further, we passed legislation to expand protections for Maine loons and other waterfowl by prohibiting the sale and use of certain painted lead fishing tackle, invested $200,000 in the Lake Restoration and Protection Fund to support efforts to improve and maintain water quality, balanced Maine's renewable energy development goals with efforts to conserve the state’s valuable farmland, soils and fish and wildlife habitat as well as my bill to allow water utilities to partner with conservation organizations to preserve land while protecting water quality for their ratepayers.

But despite these successes, I know there is still much more work to do to address all of the challenges facing our environment, not only in our community, but across the state.

I will be working with fellow legislators to submit a bill to assist municipalities as they work to protect water quality by enforcing Shoreland Zoning laws.

I'm looking forward to continuing this work so that every Mainer has an opportunity to enjoy all of the natural resources our state has to offer for years to come.

As always, please reach out to me if you have questions, need help or want to voice your opinion.

Fay, a Democrat, is the Maine House chair of the Government Oversight Committee and a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs, and is serving her fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives. She serves the community members of Casco, Frye Island, Raymond, and part of Poland.<

Reach State Rep. Jessica Fay by calling 207-655-5020 or by email at jessica.fay@legislature.maine.gov 

Jessica Fay: Investing in Maine Families

By State. Rep. Jessica Fay

After many long days and nights at the State House, the Legislature has wrapped up most of its session work for 2023! I could not be more proud of all that we have accomplished to deliver for Mainers.

State Rep. Jessica Fay

This month, we passed a historic budget that addresses some of our most pressing challenges and makes long-term investments in our people – all while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Most importantly, this legislation will make it easier for more folks to make ends meet.

It contains more than $100 million to help tackle our current statewide housing crisis by boosting funding for the Rural Affordable Rental Housing Program and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which help incentivize the development of affordable housing. It also funds the creation of the Housing First Program, which will prioritize providing permanent housing and on-site services to persons who have been chronically homeless.

The budget also takes significant steps to improve the current lack of available and affordable child care, which has made it difficult for many Maine parents to fully participate in our workforce.

It will invest more than $35 million to double the wage stipend for child care workers while expanding eligibility for assistance to more families – a major boost for our economy.

As the House Co-Chair of the non-partisan Caucus on Aging, I am particularly grateful that this budget helps fixed income older Mainers in some very important ways.

It increases funding for Meals on Wheels, it invests in the Elder Justice Roadmap recommendations, it expands eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program, and it expands property tax relief through the Property Tax Deferral Program and the Property Tax Fairness Credit, helping more Mainers – and particularly, those 65 and older – stay in their homes and age with dignity.

Taken together, these are investments in what Mainers value – our families and our communities.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any ideas, questions or concerns. I am here to serve you.

Fay, a Democrat, is the Maine House chair of the Government Oversight Committee and a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs, and is serving her fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives.

She serves the community members of Casco, Frye Island, Raymond, and part of Poland. <

Reach State Rep. Jessica Fay by calling 207-655-5020 or by email at jessica.fay@legislature.maine.gov