Since I started serving Gorham in the Legislature a little more than a year ago, it’s been such an amazing experience and a great honor for me. I’m so proud that I get to be your voice in Augusta. Every day when I walk across the threshold of the State House, I think of the people back home who get up and go to work every day to help make our community and state a better place. I focus on how I can be the best representative I can be for them, because they are my inspiration. That’s the perspective I bring to every issue we hear and every vote I take.
This year, there are a number of important issues that the Legislature will consider, and I will work hard to make sure our town is well represented. I’m focused on having the backs of Gorham families, whether it’s expanding access to health care or fairly funding our schools.
Last November, Maine voters finally got the chance to weigh in on MaineCare expansion at the polls and they delivered access to health care to 70,000 Maine people. Both statewide and here in Gorham, 59 percent of voters demanded what the governor and his allies have tried to block for years. MaineCare expansion is now the law of the land, and everyone who takes their responsibility as a public servant seriously needs to respect that.
Another important issue I am following is the impact of the recent education funding changes on our community. The state funds about half the education costs statewide. Here in Gorham, we receive slightly more—about 57 percent. The last two-year state budget recognized that education costs have gone up over the last few years due to a number of factors including rising special education and technical education costs. Last year, I fought for increased education funding across our state to ensure our schools, teachers and children have the resources they need to succeed. Unfortunately, the governor and some legislators were willing to shut down the government to prevent a sustainable funding source that would have increased funding even more.
The cost of education is continuing to rise, and Gorham, along with dozens of other towns across the state will have to grapple with how we keep up with them. I am committed to working with our local education officials and my colleagues on the Legislature’s Education Committee to address ballooning cost drivers and prevent harm to our schools. Our kids deserve the best education we can give them, our property taxpayers should be treated fairly and I will do everything in my power to make sure the funding structure meets Gorham’s needs.
Of course, there’s so much more that we’ll be working on, including implementing recommendations to combat the opiate crisis that’s claiming too many lives in Maine and across the country. I want to hear from you about these and any other issues before the Legislature. Please contact me with any questions or comments.
Rep. Maureen “Mo” Terry is serving her first term in the Maine House of Representatives. She is a chef and small business owner with more than 25 years of experience in the food service industry. She serves on the Taxation Committee.
(207) 712-9735 | (800) 423-2900 | maureen.terry@legislature.maine.gov