Quick Action
Maine’s child poverty rate is increasing eight times faster than the national average. A bill in the Maine legislature could help bring those numbers down by increasing parents’ access to educational and training opportunities. UPDATE: LD 1774 is now law in Maine! After receiving overwhelming support in the House and Senate, the bill became law without the governor’s signature. A huge thank you to everyone who worked on this important legislation!
UPDATE: LD 1774 is now law in Maine! After receiving overwhelming support in the House and Senate, the bill became law without the governor’s signature. A huge thank you to everyone who worked on this important legislation!
THE ISSUE
Between 2011 and 2015, the number of Maine children living in extreme poverty rose 8 times faster than the national average, increasing by 13.6%. While the majority of parents living in poverty work at least part-time, many are locked into low-wage or seasonal jobs, often due to a lack of education or training. Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon (D-Freeport) is sponsoring LD 1774, An Act to Reduce Child Poverty by Leveraging Investments in Families for Tomorrow (LIFT 2.0). The bill, an update to legislation introduced last session, aims to increase access to training and education, add more skilled people into Maine’s shrinking workforce, and increase families’ abilities to earn higher wages. Funds for LIFT 2.0 will come from existing federal programs, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF). The bill would also provide support for childcare, transportation, and job coaches, helping parents provide a financially stable home for their families, while improving the opportunities for Maine’s most vulnerable children.
THE ACTION
- LD 1774 is now law in Maine! After receiving overwhelming support in the House and Senate, the bill became law without the governor’s signature. A huge thank you to everyone who worked on this important legislation!
Suit Up Maine is an independent, all-volunteer grassroots progressive group that seeks to build a more informed and engaged electorate in Maine. Founded in 2016, Suit Up Maine is run by and for Mainers, and is not engaged in fundraising of any kind. Representing thousands of constituents across Maine’s 16 counties, Suit Up Maine raises awareness of and advocates for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. Suit Up Maine is beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians.
