Last week, my wife and were taking a drive down Route 302 in search of some pumpkins for our front steps. A car full of kids came speeding up behind us, and passed us in a designated no-passing zone. In shock, Diane looked at me and asked, “isn’t that illegal?” I chuckled and replied, “not this week.”
Like Diane, most people probably assumed that passing in a designated no-passing zone was already illegal. But this was one of 460 new laws enacted by my fellow legislators and I this past session in Augusta. As of September 17, they have almost all become effective.
A simple traffic law might seem to pale in comparison to stemming the tide of methamphetamine production in our state, but all our laws are equally important to public safety, or at least, making life a little bit easier for hard-working families to do more than just get by.
For example, most people have heard of the Family Medical Leave Act, the federal law that guarantees time off for serious illnesses for the employee or a family member, or for having a child by natural or adoptive means. But what most people don’t realize about the FMLA is that the time off didn’t have to be paid. However, we passed a state law that allows workers to use paid vacation or sick time to care for ill family members, so that wages aren’t lost during a family crisis. We also increased penalties for employers who violate the FMLA.
We also focused this session on making homes safer. I was shocked to learn that lead poisoning is the leading health threat to Maine children. Our state has the third oldest homes in the country, and all those old houses translate into lead paint on the walls, windows, and stairs that release lead dust into the air during home improvements or day-to-day use. Legislation enacted this session establishes the Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund, which will promote public awareness of this potential problem, and provide free testing kits to families. Previously this program was funded by the federal government, but massive cutbacks have eliminated funding for every city and town in Maine with the exception of Portland. The fund is now paid for by paint manufacturers.
Here is a related “common-sense” bill that will help renters as well as homeowners be aware of the risks of lead paint. When a person buys a home, he or she is given a disclosure about the presence of lead paint in the home. Starting this week, the same will be required of landlords renting apartments to tenants.
During this session, I saw a lot of bills that just made good sense, and I’d often wonder, like Diane’s reaction in the car, why something wasn’t already a law. What I’ve learned in nearly a year of legislative service is that it takes everyone being involved to make our government work. The best ideas-the one that just make good, plain sense-are the ones that come from you. I’m very interested in hearing what you think, and would like to incorporate your thoughts into meaningful legislation.
I have until October 7 to submit bills for the upcoming legislative session, provided that they classify as “emergency” legislation, meaning that it is something that can’t wait another year to be considered, and needs to be fixed in the law now. Just submitting the bill does not automatically guarantee it a public hearing, however. I must present it before the Legislative Council, a group of legislative leaders from both parties in the House and Senate, and they give the final verdict on whether the legislation should be considered now, or at another time.
Please let me know if you have any ideas for legislation, or if I can be of assistance on any state matter. Feel free to call me at home at 892-6591 or e-mail me at RepMarkBryant@yahoo.com.
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