In the midst of Maine’s winter season, many people across our state are struggling to stay warm given the surge in home heating and energy costs. I heard from countless residents of our district about their needs, and am proud to say the Legislature delivered relief in a bipartisan manner.

This was such an important bill for us to pass, and has set a hopeful tone for me as I start my term as your state senator. Gov. Janet Mills has signed into law L.D. 3, the Emergency Winter Energy Relief Program. One of the biggest provisions in this measure will send $450 relief checks to over 800,000 Maine taxpayers. Individuals making less $100,000 and couples making less than $200,000 on their 2021 state tax returns will be eligible for relief.

L.D. 3 includes critical funding for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), and emergency fuel assistance, both of which are administered by Community Action Agencies like Kennebec Valley Community Action Program. To learn if you’re eligible for these benefits, contact KVCAP at 207-622-4761. In addition, this package bolsters funding for the Emergency Housing Relief Fund to keep Mainers in their homes this winter. Learn more about the entire relief package here.

If you have questions about eligibility or anything related to this relief program, please reach out. You can call my legislative office at (207) 287-1515 or send me an email at David.LaFountain@legislature.maine.gov.

Nobody likes to be cold, and some folks might resort to unsafe ways to heat their homes like using your oven, old space heaters or fireplaces that haven’t been used in 50 years. As the former chief of Waterville and Winslow fire departments, I know firsthand the dangers of using unsafe ways to heat homes.

I ran for Senate to represent you and get things done for our community. While I would’ve liked to see more targeted relief, this bill is not the end; in fact it’s just the beginning. Addressing the root causes of the issues before us remains one of my top priorities. I will always stand up for the people of the northern Kennebec Valley region, it’s what I’ve done throughout my career in public service.

Earlier this session, legislative committee assignments were released. I’m pleased to announce that I’ve been named Chair of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee. I look forward to the work this committee will tackle to ensure folks are able to enjoy our cherished lands and natural resources for generations to come.

I’m also pleased to share that I’ll be a member of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. With my background in public safety as a fire chief, airport operations staff and working with state agencies on missing person searches and active shooter responses, I’m honored to serve on this committee.

Throughout this session, members of the public have the opportunity to share their thoughts directly with legislators through our public hearing process. There are three ways to share your opinion: In person at the State House, remote through Zoom, or written testimony submitted online. To learn more on how you can get involved in the legislative process, head to mainelegislature.org/testimony.

Please feel free to contact me if you have a question, concern or idea. My office is here to serve you, the good people of Senate District 16. If you come across issues with state agencies, have questions about legislation, or anything else that may come up.

Dave LaFountain, a Democrat from Winslow, is serving his first term in the Maine Senate.

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