As you may know, we wrapped up the 132nd Legislature’s Second Special Session last Tuesday, April 14. In our final days, we successfully passed a supplemental budget. As a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs (AFA) — which oversees the budget — I wanted to personally update you all on my thoughts on this budget.

I believe that it is really easy to tear something down, and really easy to criticize and complain after the fact. But, it is also very difficult to build something, and even more difficult to build something without the full participation from both sides of the aisle that prior legislatures could count on.

This budget is certainly not perfect. I want to acknowledge that there are pieces of it I would have done differently. There are pieces I like and pieces I don’t like. However, I also think it is important to say this clearly: there is a lot in this budget that is really, genuinely good for Maine people. And for me, that matters.

At home, I don’t hear people talking about line items — they’re talking about whether they can afford their property taxes, whether they can find child care, whether their heating bill is going to knock them sideways, and whether they can stay in their homes or find a new one. This budget meets people in that reality.

It strengthens the Property Tax Fairness Credit — which is one of the most direct ways we can help folks stay in the homes they and their families have lived in for generations. It puts real support into heating and energy assistance — and in a state like Maine, that’s not optional. That is survival in the winter. It makes meaningful investments in housing stability — helping prevent eviction, supporting emergency housing, and putting money toward building more places for people to live. There is continued investment in child care — because if people cannot find child care, they cannot work.

Additionally, this budget includes support to expand access to affordable prescription drugs through federally qualified health centers in rural areas. We have all seen what happens when those pharmacies close — it is not just inconvenient, it is dangerous. It means longer drives, delayed medications, or people going without what they need. These are the kinds of things that make a difference in people’s day-to-day lives.

This budget is not exactly what I want but, in a tight financial environment, we chose to focus on what matters most — helping people stay in their homes, afford their lives, and access basic care in their communities. That is why I supported it.

This budget is imperfect, but we had to face the hard reality that Mainers are struggling to afford living in Maine and we worked to address those needs first. While working on this budget in committee, I can say wholeheartedly that I kept District 13 front of mind and will continue to do so.

If there is anything I can help with, please reach out. Every one of us needs help sometimes. You can email me at Cameron.Reny@legislature.maine.gov or call my Senate office at 207-287-1515.