UPDATED MARCH 15, 2025
Going into this legislative session, The Partnership was working to build on the progress it has made over the past few years. Unfortunately, we have been spending the first months of this session fighting to hold the gains we have made. We are working hard to minimize the damage that will be done if we cannot find the will to increase investment in our essential care & support workforce and our long term support services.
The Supplemental Budget did not include promised Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) for the workforce and more than ½ of the MaineCare budget reductions in Governor Mills’ proposed Biennial Budget are related to our previous investments in growing the workforce, directly threatening the reliability and stability of care services for Maine people who rely on them.
Separately and together, these two budgets severely undermine the modest but critical progress we’ve made in appropriately valuing this workforce and the care and support they provide.
Last week, (March 10 – 15), the Supplemental Budget Failed to garner the 2/3rds majority needed to provide relief. The Legislative Leadership has now moved to passing a “skinny budget” that includes some of the provisions and additional funding from the failed supplemental budget, but is NOT a “continuing services” budget as most believe. This continuing services budget does not include promised Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) for the workforce and is a budget cut of at least $84 million.
What can you do?
- Reach out to your legislators (Senators, Representatives) and let them know how important it is that we stay the course and continue to invest in this workforce – not balance budgets on the backs of this workforce and the people they care for and support. Let them know how the cuts in this Continuing Services Budget will hurt Maine people.
- Do you have a story to tell? Do you have a loved one needing care that you’ve had a difficult time finding care for? Have you had to drop out of the workforce to care for a loved one? Are you needing care or support to stay independent and in your home? Tell us – It is important that people understand the impacts of under investment in our care & support systems.
In a state with almost $1 billion in the rainy day fund, it is criminal to balance the budget on older Mainers, people with physical and intellectual disabilities, and behavioral health challenges and the workers who care for them.