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MSEA-SEIU Local 1989
65 State Street
PO Box 1072
Augusta, ME 04332-1072
207-622-3151
1-800-452-8794

MAINE STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION

SEIU Local 1989

March 4 --

Governor's New Budget Proposal Restores Funding for Many Services Provided By Our Members;

Contact Your Legislators Right Away and Urge Them to Support It

In addition to restoring longevity pay effective July 1, 2010, and eliminating the proposed three additional unpaid state shutdown days, making moot the need for a payroll push, the Governor's new budget proposal restores funding for many services provided by our members. The Governor's new budget proposal:

  • Restores cuts to home-based services and consumer-directed care. The proposal also adds an additional $1 million to provide additional services for Maine citizens on waitings lists for home-based services. Many of these services are provided by our members who work for Home Care for Maine and Alpha One;
  • Restores $3.5 million toward a fund to help pay off the state's unfunded liability for retiree health insurance;
  • Restores $1.7 million for the Maine Community College System;
  • Restores $267,000 for Maine Maritime Academy.

The Governor's new budget proposal calls for the elimination of 22 positions at the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center. While we remain concerned about staffing issues at the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center and will continue working with the administration to ensure that they are addressed, we are encouraged that all of the positions proposed for elimination are vacant.

We are still exploring ways to recover the first year of longevity pay.

Please contact your state legislators right away and urge them to support the Governor's new budget proposal. Their contact information is at: http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/townlist.htm