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Helping Candidates Step Up For KidsWith the Nov. 4 election just weeks away, there are plenty of opportunities to meet and questions candidates for the Legislature in all 35 Senate districts and 151 House districts. Our citizen legislature works best when citizens are directly involving in shaping the important debate that will follow in Augusta. As Maine Children's Alliance members, we can do a lot to help set the agenda in a way that will be helpful to children both next year and for many years to come. This is an important election, and the positions candidates take while they are campaigning most often turn into the programs they will support in office. So we would like to suggest some questions on important issues of interest in all legislative districts that you can pose to candidates in forums, meetings and less formal gatherings. Here are examples of ways to prompt a positive response for kids on five important topics: Early childhood: Research shows that investment in early childhood programs pays for itself many times over in better outcomes for kids later in life. What are best ways to ensure that all Maine children arrive at school ready to learn? (Options include full funding for Head Start, increased grants for child care, and public pre-school programs) Health Care: Do you support reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which expires next March, and now enrolls nearly 15,000 Maine children. Should Congress provide funding at levels needed to enroll all eligible children? (That's an estimated $60 billion for five years.) Education: What are the best ways Maine can improve educational opportunities for children in the public schools? Should school district consolidation play a role? What other changes will help? The Economy: The current economic downturn is expected to place great pressure on all state programs next year. What specific steps can the Legislature take to ensure that Maine continues to invest in the future well-being of its citizens? Are there any programs that should be off-limits to budget cuts? Tax Reform: Would you support a tax reform bill that lowers the tax burden on Maine residents, while preserving full funding for important programs for children? What taxes are most difficult for Mainers to pay? These points are only suggestions, and it is important that candidates be listened to and well as challenged on the issues. MCA, as a non-partisan advocacy organization with a simple, clear agenda that has broad public support, is uniquely positioned to play a positive role in the fall campaign. Don't be shy about speaking up, and then following up if you don't think you've received clear or specific answers to your questions. Candidates can only be responsive if they are given the right opportunity. Updated: Jun 28th, 2010 - 12:08:36 |
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A Strong and Powerful Voice to Improve the Lives of All Maine's Children, Youth and Families
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