When voters sent me to represent Gorham in the Maine House of Representatives, they put their faith in me to continue to work for their interests in Augusta. In the 129th Legislature, I am committed to collaborating with my fellow lawmakers, regardless of political party, to address the issues Gorham residents care about and build a brighter future for the people of Maine.
I am particularly committed to working on an issue that affects the people of Gorham: our property taxes. This problem is hurting property taxpayers throughout the state and demands immediate attention from legislators. Reduced state funding to our communities and inadequate education funding has placed an unfair burden on property owners, squeezing people’s budgets even tighter.
I am proud to continue my work on the Taxation Committee, giving me a place at the table to help Gorham taxpayers. I am sponsoring a bill to establish a Maine Workforce Tax Credit, which would expand income tax credits to boost working families out of poverty. We need an economy that works for everyone and this will help us do just that.
As your voice in Augusta, many of the ideas for bills come directly from my constituents. When a student from the University of Southern Maine approached me and told me about the need for non prescription medicine to be accessible through vending machines for times that the health clinic is closed, I sponsored a bill to make that possible. Permitting the sale of non prescription medicines through vending machines will make over-the-counter products more accessible to students, people who live in rural areas and people who work long hours.
I am also sponsoring bills that will help our local economy. One of the bills prioritizes buying locally produced, healthy foods when state institutions make purchases, which will bring a lot of business to our local farmers and food producers. Another bill I am sponsoring will improve the health and wellbeing of our community, while simultaneously supporting local farmers. It is a bill to allow all farmers to accept food vouchers for mothers and their young children as payment. These food vouchers are part of the Women, Infants, and Children program, or WIC, and my bill will give qualifying Maine mothers and children more access to healthy, locally produced food.
Needless to say, it has been a busy legislative session so far. While talking to neighbors at their doors or having conversations at the farmers market, community members repeatedly talked to me about our pressing need for more affordable health care, solutions to the opioid crisis and a better tax code that enables the hardworking residents of Gorham to succeed.
I am looking forward to bringing our needs to the table and working out commonsense solutions to raise revenue sharing for our neighborhoods, and those around the state. The 129th Legislature has a unique opportunity to address these issues that Mainers have been struggling with, and I intend to take full advantage of my time in Augusta to enact positive changes for the people of Gorham.
It is an honor to continue to serve our community in Augusta. As always, I encourage you to contact me with ideas, questions and concerns. The best way for me to serve our community’s needs is by hearing from you.
Rep. Maureen “Mo” Terry is serving her second term in the Maine House of Representatives. She is a chef and small business owner with more than 30 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