Maine Bicentennial Commission Launches Community Grants Program
Maine bicentennial community grants will be available for bicentennial-themed projects that benefit the public, such as parades, historic preservation efforts, lectures, and curriculum. The Maine Bicentennial Commission will consider grant applications from Maine community non-profit organizations, such as historical societies and libraries, government entities, and schools. Private individuals and for-profit corporations will also be welcome to apply in partnership with a non-profit entity.
The community grants are the core of our bicentennial commemoration. They provide an opportunity for all Mainers to engage at the local level and provide a strong community element in addition to the larger signature events found online here.
The Maine Legislature appropriated funding to the Maine Bicentennial Commission for the grants, which will be supplemented by matching funds from private corporations and individuals. The initial round of funding is for $375,000. Up to 10 percent of the funds will be set aside for small grants of $500 or less, and at least one grant of up to $10,000 will be available in each county.
The Maine Arts Commission will administer the grant program, with three application deadlines -- September 1, 2019, February 1, 2020, and June 1, 2020.
Details of the bicentennial community grants program and a link to the application form are available on the Maine Bicentennial Commission Web site under the Get Involved section.
Voter Registration Mailing is Not from State Elections Division
The Maine Division of Elections is responding to complaints about a recent voter registration outreach mailing being sent to Maine households by an independent organization. A copy of the mailing can be found online here.
The mailing is being sent by Vote Forward, a volunteer organization based in Alabama that enlists individuals to send handwritten letters to potential Democratic voters, asking them to register and vote. Along with the letters, the organization is sending pre-filled voter registration applications as part of a voter registration drive.
The Maine Division of Elections has no connection to this organization and did not collaborate in any way on the mailing, even though the address of the Division is printed on the return mailer. The names and contact information for the individuals receiving the mailings are not being provided to Vote Forward by the Secretary of State, thus both the voter list and Maine Voter Registration Application form they are using is outdated.
While it is very upsetting for family members to receive letters addressed to deceased relatives, accessing public records is legal, and no Maine election laws are being broken, said Maine’s Secretary of State.
Those who receive these mailings addressed to a deceased family member are advised to discard it and do not need to correct any information on file with the Maine Division of Elections.
Maine Reaches Federal Milestone in Special Education
Maine is proud to be one of 20 other states in the nation to meet federal requirements for serving the needs of children with disabilities. This rigorous effort was led by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), states are required to report each year to the U.S. Department of Education regarding their progress in meeting “measurable and rigorous targets” to serve students with disabilities. This determination is based on how well schools address the needs of children with disabilities. As part of the review process, Maine and other states were evaluated based on several factors, including student performance and fulfilling IDEA’s procedural requirements.
Members of the Special Services Team at the Maine DOE have been hard at work to partner with and support schools to ensure the quality of education for disabled students in Maine continues to improve. Their strategy has been to identify areas where the State has struggled and use targeted professional development and collaboration with district administrators and teachers to improve those areas. Child Development Services has also been utilized to enhance support for children with disabilities from birth to the age of five. As part of a broader Department-wide effort, this strategy has helped to further emphasize student support and achievement.
One contributing factor, among many others for the 2019 review, was the increased amount of Maine students with disabilities who participated in standardized testing compared to the previous year. The State receives full points from the federal government if at least 90% of students with disabilities participate in standardized testing.
The commitment and collaboration of students, families, educators, and the Maine DOE has enabled Maine to meet requirements by several percentage points. Additionally, the support and guidance that enables students with disabilities to make smooth transitions from secondary school to post-graduation living has also improved, and the dropout rate for students with disabilities has decreased. With more Maine students receiving their diplomas, these young people can expect improved employability and a wider spread of higher education options after high school.
This milestone gives the Department the opportunity to refocus efforts on collaborative and student-focused growth, as well as areas in which Maine has not yet scored full points as part of the requirements. One example is around the team’s efforts to improve the State’s federal ratings for math scores through the Math4ME program. This program is grounded in hands-on activities and interactive professional learning experiences that allow participants to gain a deeper understanding of core concepts of mathematics and strategies. The program focuses on students with disabilities in grades three through eight.
Maine’s special education professionals are passionate and dedicated in their daily work to improve the lives and outcomes of children with disabilities. With a strong team of professionals at the Maine DOE, and valuable partnerships with educators, administrators, families, and stakeholders statewide, the important work toward ongoing growth, improvement, and alignment in our state’s special education can continue.
Maine bicentennial community grants will be available for bicentennial-themed projects that benefit the public, such as parades, historic preservation efforts, lectures, and curriculum. The Maine Bicentennial Commission will consider grant applications from Maine community non-profit organizations, such as historical societies and libraries, government entities, and schools. Private individuals and for-profit corporations will also be welcome to apply in partnership with a non-profit entity.
The community grants are the core of our bicentennial commemoration. They provide an opportunity for all Mainers to engage at the local level and provide a strong community element in addition to the larger signature events found online here.
The Maine Legislature appropriated funding to the Maine Bicentennial Commission for the grants, which will be supplemented by matching funds from private corporations and individuals. The initial round of funding is for $375,000. Up to 10 percent of the funds will be set aside for small grants of $500 or less, and at least one grant of up to $10,000 will be available in each county.
The Maine Arts Commission will administer the grant program, with three application deadlines -- September 1, 2019, February 1, 2020, and June 1, 2020.
Details of the bicentennial community grants program and a link to the application form are available on the Maine Bicentennial Commission Web site under the Get Involved section.
Voter Registration Mailing is Not from State Elections Division
The Maine Division of Elections is responding to complaints about a recent voter registration outreach mailing being sent to Maine households by an independent organization. A copy of the mailing can be found online here.
The mailing is being sent by Vote Forward, a volunteer organization based in Alabama that enlists individuals to send handwritten letters to potential Democratic voters, asking them to register and vote. Along with the letters, the organization is sending pre-filled voter registration applications as part of a voter registration drive.
The Maine Division of Elections has no connection to this organization and did not collaborate in any way on the mailing, even though the address of the Division is printed on the return mailer. The names and contact information for the individuals receiving the mailings are not being provided to Vote Forward by the Secretary of State, thus both the voter list and Maine Voter Registration Application form they are using is outdated.
While it is very upsetting for family members to receive letters addressed to deceased relatives, accessing public records is legal, and no Maine election laws are being broken, said Maine’s Secretary of State.
Those who receive these mailings addressed to a deceased family member are advised to discard it and do not need to correct any information on file with the Maine Division of Elections.
Maine Reaches Federal Milestone in Special Education
Maine is proud to be one of 20 other states in the nation to meet federal requirements for serving the needs of children with disabilities. This rigorous effort was led by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), states are required to report each year to the U.S. Department of Education regarding their progress in meeting “measurable and rigorous targets” to serve students with disabilities. This determination is based on how well schools address the needs of children with disabilities. As part of the review process, Maine and other states were evaluated based on several factors, including student performance and fulfilling IDEA’s procedural requirements.
Members of the Special Services Team at the Maine DOE have been hard at work to partner with and support schools to ensure the quality of education for disabled students in Maine continues to improve. Their strategy has been to identify areas where the State has struggled and use targeted professional development and collaboration with district administrators and teachers to improve those areas. Child Development Services has also been utilized to enhance support for children with disabilities from birth to the age of five. As part of a broader Department-wide effort, this strategy has helped to further emphasize student support and achievement.
One contributing factor, among many others for the 2019 review, was the increased amount of Maine students with disabilities who participated in standardized testing compared to the previous year. The State receives full points from the federal government if at least 90% of students with disabilities participate in standardized testing.
The commitment and collaboration of students, families, educators, and the Maine DOE has enabled Maine to meet requirements by several percentage points. Additionally, the support and guidance that enables students with disabilities to make smooth transitions from secondary school to post-graduation living has also improved, and the dropout rate for students with disabilities has decreased. With more Maine students receiving their diplomas, these young people can expect improved employability and a wider spread of higher education options after high school.
This milestone gives the Department the opportunity to refocus efforts on collaborative and student-focused growth, as well as areas in which Maine has not yet scored full points as part of the requirements. One example is around the team’s efforts to improve the State’s federal ratings for math scores through the Math4ME program. This program is grounded in hands-on activities and interactive professional learning experiences that allow participants to gain a deeper understanding of core concepts of mathematics and strategies. The program focuses on students with disabilities in grades three through eight.
Maine’s special education professionals are passionate and dedicated in their daily work to improve the lives and outcomes of children with disabilities. With a strong team of professionals at the Maine DOE, and valuable partnerships with educators, administrators, families, and stakeholders statewide, the important work toward ongoing growth, improvement, and alignment in our state’s special education can continue.
Dear Friends:
It's a great honor to have the opportunity to serve the people of Senate District 17 in the 129th Legislature.
If you have a question or comment about what is happening at the State House, I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at Russell.Black@legislature.maine.gov or (207) 287-1505.
Here's an update on what is happening in Augusta.
Sincerely,
Russell Black
Senate District 17 includes all of Franklin County communities as well as the Kennebec County communities of Belgrade, Fayette, Mount Vernon and Vienna.
State News Update
Applications for Any Deer Permit Lottery Are Due Next Week
Online applications must be completed by 11:59 pm (ET) on August 15, 2019. The lottery will be held on September 6, 2019. To apply, click here: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/any-deer-permit.html
Donations Sought for Rescued Collies
Last month more than 80 animals were seized from a dog breeder in Solon, Maine and taken into state care. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry is currently accepting donations to support rescued Collies in Animal Welfare care. Your contribution helps Animal Welfare rehabilitate and re-home rescued animals. With limited funding, they rely on generous contributions to deliver the care and attention that rescued Maine animals need. Thank you! Donate to Rescue
Maine DECD: Land-Based Aquaculture is Right Fit for Maine
Aquaculture is the “farming” of fish, shellfish, and other marine organisms in a controlled environment. Some are raised in pens in the open ocean and bays. Some are land-based, raised in above-ground artificial ponds in enclosed structures. Maine is well positioned, based on its geographic location, to become a global leader in land-based aquaculture. This is good news for our state, our economy and our environment. For more, click here: https://www.maine.gov/decd/businessdevelopment/landbasedaquaculture
Maine Bicentennial Underway – Will Continue Through 2020
The official Bicentennial Celebration of Maine’s statehood kicked off last week and runs through next year. To keep up with the news and events, go to: https://www.maine200.org/
Senate Republican Radio Address
Though it drew little notice, a very important day in Maine history passed us by a few weeks ago. No, it wasn’t the anniversary of Maine becoming a state, or the important anniversary of some great event.
June 30, 2019 was the last day that Maine State Government operated under a budget that included the fiscal restraints, prosperity, and economic growth of Republican ideas.
When voters put Republicans in charge of state finances back in 2011, Maine finally began to emerge from decades of economic doldrums. The budget that Republicans passed in 2012 included the largest tax cut in the state’s history and removed nearly 70,000 low income Mainers from the tax rolls altogether and cut back on restrictive regulations and impediments to economic growth.
To read the entire address, click here: https://mesenategop.com/2019/08/01/senate-republican-radio-address-8-2-19/
It's a great honor to have the opportunity to serve the people of Senate District 17 in the 129th Legislature.
If you have a question or comment about what is happening at the State House, I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at Russell.Black@legislature.maine.gov or (207) 287-1505.
Here's an update on what is happening in Augusta.
Sincerely,
Russell Black
Senate District 17 includes all of Franklin County communities as well as the Kennebec County communities of Belgrade, Fayette, Mount Vernon and Vienna.
State News Update
Applications for Any Deer Permit Lottery Are Due Next Week
Online applications must be completed by 11:59 pm (ET) on August 15, 2019. The lottery will be held on September 6, 2019. To apply, click here: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/any-deer-permit.html
Donations Sought for Rescued Collies
Last month more than 80 animals were seized from a dog breeder in Solon, Maine and taken into state care. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry is currently accepting donations to support rescued Collies in Animal Welfare care. Your contribution helps Animal Welfare rehabilitate and re-home rescued animals. With limited funding, they rely on generous contributions to deliver the care and attention that rescued Maine animals need. Thank you! Donate to Rescue
Maine DECD: Land-Based Aquaculture is Right Fit for Maine
Aquaculture is the “farming” of fish, shellfish, and other marine organisms in a controlled environment. Some are raised in pens in the open ocean and bays. Some are land-based, raised in above-ground artificial ponds in enclosed structures. Maine is well positioned, based on its geographic location, to become a global leader in land-based aquaculture. This is good news for our state, our economy and our environment. For more, click here: https://www.maine.gov/decd/businessdevelopment/landbasedaquaculture
Maine Bicentennial Underway – Will Continue Through 2020
The official Bicentennial Celebration of Maine’s statehood kicked off last week and runs through next year. To keep up with the news and events, go to: https://www.maine200.org/
Senate Republican Radio Address
Though it drew little notice, a very important day in Maine history passed us by a few weeks ago. No, it wasn’t the anniversary of Maine becoming a state, or the important anniversary of some great event.
June 30, 2019 was the last day that Maine State Government operated under a budget that included the fiscal restraints, prosperity, and economic growth of Republican ideas.
When voters put Republicans in charge of state finances back in 2011, Maine finally began to emerge from decades of economic doldrums. The budget that Republicans passed in 2012 included the largest tax cut in the state’s history and removed nearly 70,000 low income Mainers from the tax rolls altogether and cut back on restrictive regulations and impediments to economic growth.
To read the entire address, click here: https://mesenategop.com/2019/08/01/senate-republican-radio-address-8-2-19/