MECEP urges you to protect Maine children, safeguard child care facilities, and continue to infuse our state economy with these federal funds.
April 13, 2016
Hon Senator David C. Burns, Chair
Hon. Representative Barry J. Hobbins, Chair
Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary
Dear Senator Burns and Representative Hobbins
I am writing to urge you to support LD 1689, “An Act To Protect Children in the State from Possible Sexual, Physical and Emotional Abuse by Persons Who Have Been Convicted of Crimes.”
The Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan economic research organization. We advance public policies that help Maine people prosper in a strong, fair, and sustainable economy.
Not only will this bill better protect the health and safety of Maine children in child care, but it will also avoid the potential loss of millions of dollars to help low-income, working families pay for high-quality child care.
The federal government has made it clear that failure to comply with its rules for receiving Child Care and Development Block grant funds jeopardizes $16-17 million in funds earmarked for Maine. To simply ignore the requirements is poor financial management.
Federal money brings extra dollars into our economy, generates additional spending, protects and creates thousands of jobs, and ultimately helps Mainers improve their health, quality of life, or simply get back on their feet. Loss of federal funds does irreparable harm to our state’s economy and the people who live here.
MECEP urges you to protect Maine children, safeguard child care facilities, and continue to infuse our state economy with these federal funds.
Thank you for your service to the people of Maine.
Sincerely,
Garrett Martin
Executive Director
