LD 1040, “An Act to Increase College Attainment”

Explanation:

This bill is sponsored by Speaker Glenn Cummings of Portland. The original bill would have required all high school students in the state to complete at least one application to a college or university. The bill would not require a student to submit the application, thus having to pay the application fee, but rather would only require that at least one application be filled out by the student.

Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Cumberland County, presented an amendment to the bill that would change the legislation to a resolve. The resolve would direct the Department of Education to devise and implement methods to encourage more Maine high school students to apply to at least one post secondary institution. The resolve allows the option to require college applications to be filled out in order to receive a high school diploma.

Rep. Gary Moore:

YES. I wholeheartedly believe that education is crucial to strengthening Maine’s economy. There is no downside to encouraging students to pursue a higher education or to learn a trade at one of Maine’s superb community colleges. However, I do not believe that a student should be burdened with application fees, nor does a law seem necessary.

I plan to support the bill, as amended by Sen. Diamond’s resolve, when it comes to the House for a vote.

Rep. Rich Cebra:

NO. This is a good example of feel good, but do nothing, legislation that so often comes out of Augusta. I would challenge anyone to show me any evidence that connects college enrollment to a lack of filling out an application. I have never met a person who said “I didn’t go to college because I didn’t fill out an application.”

Sen. Bill Diamond:

YES. To me, passing a law requiring all high school seniors to fill out a college application was going too far. Bringing the heavy hand of the law down on students didn’t seem right. Therefore, I amended the bill to change it from becoming a law to simply asking the Education Department to encourage all seniors to fill out the application. Eighty percent of high school seniors already fill out college applications so it seemed unnecessary to pass a law for the final 20 percent. Making it a class assignment could solve the problem. We don’t need more laws to do this.

Rep. Gary Plummer:

NO. Another state mandate? I say no to this one as presented. I would support encouraging schools to consider this or other things to increase students’ interest in higher education; but this is a decision that should be made locally, not mandated by the state.

Rep. Mark Bryant:

YES. I applaud the concept of finding creative ways to encourage each student to think about attending and apply to at least one college, university or other postsecondary educational institution. The original bill allowed the legislature to discuss this.

The Senate resolution states that the Department of Education shall devise and implement methods to encourage school administrative units to encourage students to complete at least one application.

This resolution has not yet come before the House for further discussion. As a parent of three children who graduated from the public school system, I certainly agree in encouraging Maine’s students to apply.

Rep. John Robinson

YES. An amendment to the bill has been presented in the Senate by Sen. Diamond. This new resolve would direct the Department of Education to encourage more Maine high school students to apply to at least one post secondary institution. The new language will allow the option to require college applications to be filled out in order to receive a high school diploma. It does not require the application to be filed nor the fee associated to be paid. If it comes to a vote in the House, I will plan on supporting the bill, as amended by Sen. Diamond’s resolve.

LD 1283, “An Act to Prevent Retailers from Selling Liquor below Cost”

Explanation:

This bill was sponsored by Senator Perry of Penobscot and would have prohibited any agency liquor store or other retailer from selling liquor at retail for less than the cost they paid for the product at wholesale. The bill would have levied a fine of $500 for anyone found guilty of this offense.

Rep. Gary Moore:

NO. This bill was heard before the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee, of which I am a member. I voted to kill the bill in committee and was pleased to see the bill defeated on the floor of the House. I believe it would have been an unnecessary burden on businesses who sometimes must sell their products below cost in order to move the product and make room for other merchandise. Also, lower costs create competition – and that helps us all!

Rep. Rich Cebra:

NO. This is another Augusta anti-business bill. Often shops have “old stock,” and the ability to sell it off quickly helps them to not lose money by throwing inventory away. This is an attempt to tie the hands of small business.

Sen. Bill Diamond:

Editor’s Note: This bill has not reached the Senate as of deadline.

Rep. Gary Plummer:

NO. I do not favor mandating a minimum price that stores can charge for liquor. Retailers should have the right to sell at a loss if they determine that it is in their best interest to do so. I understand that this is done infrequently by some stores. The state should stay out of it.

Rep. Mark Bryant:

YES. I voted for this bill in support of our small corner stores that are being squeezed out of business by the big box stores. These smaller stores are hurt when larger retailers sell their older stocks of beer and wine below cost.

The amended version of the bill would apply only to malt liquor and wine sold for consumption off-premises and specified that a licensee may not sell malt liquor or wine at a retail price that is less than the cost.

Supporting our small businesses is essential to sustaining Maine’s economy.

Rep. John Robinson:

NO. This bill would have prohibited any agency liquor store or other retailer from selling liquor at retail for less than the wholesale cost. The bill would have levied a fine of $500 for anyone found guilty of this offense. I opposed this bill when it came to the House as it would have been an unnecessary burden on businesses who sometimes must sell their products below cost in order to move the product and make room for other merchandise. The bill was defeated by a wide margin 47 in favor of the bill and 91 against.