Proudly representing the people of Lewiston in the Maine Senate
State Senator Nate Libby believes that people succeed when given the opportunity and tools they need to reach their goals. In the State Senate, Nate is working to provide opportunities for Lewiston families to get ahead by fighting for policies that work for all of us. He’ll continue to be a voice of reason in Augusta and someone you can call on when you need assistance.
State and City News
Meeting with the Lewiston Auburn Rotary to discuss Together We Play
Dottie Perham-Whittier, Lewiston's Community Relations Coordinator, and I recently met with members of the Lewiston Auburn Rotary District 7790 to talk about Together We Play, Lewiston's universally accessible playground project. The playground is the result of an award to the city from the Shane's Inspiration/Landscape Structure contest of $10,000 in equipment and $50,0000 in playground design. The playground will be built to be barrier free - fun for able-bodied children as well as those with developmental, emotional, mobility, or physical disabilities. It was a great discussion and I look forward to continuing to work with Rotarians in all their areas of civic engagement.
To learn more about this project please visit: http://www.lewistonmaine.gov/playgroundpacket16
Outgoing Lewiston Police Chief Bussiere Recognized by Community
Congratulations to Lewiston Police Chief Mike Bussiere on the occasion of his retirement. It is no accident that Lewiston has the lowest crime rate of all the major Maine cities. He has been an outstanding public servant for our city and will be greatly missed
I was glad of the opportunity to present Chief Bussiere with a Legislative Sentiment recognizing him for his years of dedication to Lewiston at his recent retirement ceremony.
Radio interview with the Z105.5 Breakfast Club
May 2016
I recently joined The Breakfast Club to discuss the Legislature's final day of session dealing with vetoes, as well as efforts to reform welfare, support solar energy, address the drug crisis, and other legislative matters. Click here to listen to the program.
Measures of Growth Report shows some progress for Maine
May 2016
Maine earned high marks for its cost of doing business and environmental quality, but there's still work to be done to support economic growth through education, transportation infrastructure and research and innovation.
Those were the findings of the latest report by the Maine Economic Growth Council, which issues the report annually to identify the state's progress toward long-term economic growth and an exemplary quality of life.
This year, Maine was lauded for its low cost of doing business and its air and water quality. Additionally, the state showed movement toward meeting its employment benchmarks; nonfarm payroll jobs grew, as did international exports. Strides were made toward housing affordability.
But the report also confirmed something we know all too well: when it comes to developing a suitable workforce for the new economy, Maine is falling behind. Improvement is needed in the areas of research and development, college graduation rates, and elementary reading and math scores.
Employers have told us that workforce development is crucial in attracting new, high-paying jobs to Maine, and so it has been one of my priorities in the Senate. This report shows us what we need to do to help Mainers prosper, and I'll continue fighting for Mainers to once again have good, steady jobs to provide for their families
Supporting our county jails, property taxpayers
April 2016
I'm always looking for ways to keep our property taxes from rising. This year, we passed a bill to protect property taxpayers and support our sheriff's departments by providing additional funding for our county jails.
Jails in our state have been suffering for some time. Increasing costs have put pressure on them, putting the jails at risk for layoffs and cuts to necessary programs. LD 1614, which was passed with bipartisan support, provides $2.4 million to county jails for the current fiscal year.
In the long-term, we still need a solution to problems with jail funding. But for now, this bill ensures our jails continue to operate as safely as possible, while preventing property tax increases that would be necessary to ease strained jail budgets at the local level. The bill has since been vetoed by the Governor and hopefully will be overridden by the Legislature on Friday.
Legislature passes investment for roads, R & D
April 2016
Last week, the governor signed two bills to authorize $145 million worth of bonds to pay for investments in the state's transportation infrastructure and research and development sector. I supported both of those bond bills.
Roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure don't just help Mainers get where they need to go. They also form the backbone of our state's economy. The transportation bond, worth $100 million, would pay for repairs, maintenance or construction of roads, bridges and more. This bond would create jobs for Maine people, and fund investments that help make our state more competitive. Voters will be asked whether to approve the transportation bond on this November's ballot.
The second bond would provide $45 million to the Maine Technology Institute to invest in research, development and commercialization within targeted technology sectors, as well as $5 million in new funding for the Maine Venture Fund. Maine lags sorely behind the rest of New England in R&D, and this bond would help the state prepare for the jobs of the future. Voters will be asked whether to approve the R&D Bond in summer 2017.
Update on our 'Welfare that Works' plan
March 2016
Mainers want politicians in Augusta to do their jobs. We have to move past the politics of welfare reform and move forward. This is why I continue to work with my colleagues in the Legislature to craft welfare reform that will be gain support from Republicans and Democrats alike.
Last week, the Health and Human Services Committee split along party lines on how to advance my bill to ban the use of welfare cash to buy alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets and other items that don't help families escape poverty.
Under my version of the bill, supported by the majority Democrats on the committee, we would ban the use of welfare cash to buy alcohol, tobacco, adult entertainment, lottery tickets and other gambling activity, tattoos, guns and ammunition, and bail. It also calls for changes to existing point-of-sale technology that will stop the misuse of benefits from taking place. Lastly, the plan institutes tough but fair penalties, including restitution of misused taxpayer dollars to a six-month loss of benefits.
The bill faces how heads to the Senate, where I will continue to work with senators on both sides of the aisle to focus their welfare reform efforts on common ground, and do the work Mainers sent them to Augusta to do.
The bill, along with one by Rep. Drew Gattine, D-Westbrook, comprise Democrats' Welfare that Works plan, which restores accountability to welfare and transforms welfare from a one-size-fits-all program to one that targets specific services such as housing, job training and education, to help Mainers lift themselves out of poverty.
Legislature enacts bill to attract game-changing businesses
March 2016
Last week, I was pleased to vote in favor of a bill aimed at attracting large-business investments to Maine. The bill, sponsored by my colleague, Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick, was enacted after a 33-1 vote and sent to Gov. Paul LePage.
Imagine a large business opening in our community, bringing with hundreds of jobs that pay strong wages. That would be a game-changer for the entire region, and a welcome sight for unemployed or underemployed people.
The bill, LD 1480, establishes the Invest in Maine Capital Fund within the independent Finance Authority of Maine. The Fund will support businesses developments, as long as the business commits to investing at least $50 million to create or retain at least 250 jobs that pay at least 125 percent of the state average wage.
That means good jobs, and lots of them. The legislation is modeled on successful programs in other states, which have provided seed capital for business creation and expansion. The initiative obligates no taxpayer dollars to the fund. Instead, the Fund will operate as a type of mutual fund for business investments and will be capitalized by pension funds, institutional endowments, insurance companies and other types of investment instruments.
The bill will go to Gov. Paul LePage, who has 10 days to sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.
Bill to ensure family access to death certificate moves forward
February 2016
This session I sponsored a bill to amend the state's law on issuing a death certificate to the child of a deceased parent. It may seem like an insignificant proposal, but for those who have been faced with this circumstance, it means a lot.
As amended, the bill, LD 1470, would change state law to permit the sole living parent of a minor child to obtain a certified copy of a death certificate of the child's deceased parent.
The proposed change came at the suggestion of city officials in Lewiston following a few unique circumstances in which the child of a deceased parent was not able to access the parent's death certificate because they were a minor, and the surviving parent who was not married to the decedent was barred from accessing the death certificate on behalf of the minor child.
The death of a parent is traumatic and the state does not need to make it even more burdensome for the family to access a death certificate because of a technical restriction.
I am please that the bill has received unanimous support and is up for enactment in the Senate this week.
March 6, 2015
La semaine du francophonie – two programs in March
Two welcome invitations arrived this week to celebrate La Semaine du Francophonie (The Week of the Francophones). Both invites are free and open to the public to recognize Maine’s Franco-Americans. An invitation from the Franco-American legislative caucus chairs Senator Nate Libby and Representative John L. Martin extended a cordial welcome to attend the Maine Legislature’s annual Franco-American Day, on Wednesday, March 18, in the Augusta State House.
http://contributors.pressherald.com/news/the-franco-american-blog/la-semaine-du-francophonie-two-programs-march/
March 6, 2015
Lewiston lawmaker helps lead charge for bill on standardized test opt-out
A Lewiston lawmaker is helping lead the charge on a bill that would make it easier for parents to keep their children from taking standardized tests in public schools. State. Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, said Thursday the bill he's c0-sponsored with state Rep. Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, is simple and straightforward and makes it clear children, schools and teachers can't be penalized when parents pull their children from standardized testing.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn-maine/2015/03/05/lewiston-lawmaker-helps-lead-charge-bill-standardized-test-opt-out/1664240
March 5, 2015
Listen to Nate's interview on Z105.5 FM "the Breakfast Club" - Governor's budget, tax reform, passenger rail in L/A, welfare fraud, Franco-American Day
http://goo.gl/AaJDhi
March 3, 2015
Measure to strengthen economic investment program garners strong support
“This is tax policy that has a positive, concrete impact on job creation. This isn’t a phantom connection to job creation that we can’t measure,” said Democratic State Senator Nate Libby of Lewiston, the bill’s sponsor. “We can look around the state from Washington County to Androscoggin County and witness the businesses and the thousands of jobs this program helped create.”
http://www.mainesenate.org/2015/03/03/measure-to-strengthen-economic-investment-program-garners-broad-support/
February 28, 2015
Legislators Honor Berman & Simmons 100th Anniversary
State legislators visited the Berman & Simmons law firm recently to congratulate members on its 100th anniversary. The firm has been a fixture on Lisbon Street in Lewiston since its founding in 1914. Sen. Nate Libby (D-Lewiston), Rep. Jared Golden (D-Lewiston) and Rep. Heidi Brooks (D-Lewiston) presented the lawyers at Berman & Simmons with a certificate of recognition signed by the officers of the Maine Senate and House.
http://www.twincitytimes.com/events/legislators-honor-berman-simmons
February 12, 2015
Senator Libby applauds Education Committee's unanimous approval of bill to better prepare for school emergencies
AUGUSTA – In response to tragedies in schools around the nation, Senator Nate Libby of Lewiston introduced legislation this session to require Maine schools to be better prepared in the event of an emergency.
The bill, “Resolve, Directing the Department of Education To Amend the School Emergency Drill Rules,” gained unanimous approval from the Legislature’s committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. It would ask all Maine schools to conduct lockdown drills in addition to their current practice of conducting fire drills, while keeping the current required number of emergency drills the same.
http://www.mainesenate.org/2015/02/12/senator-libby-applauds-education-committees-unanimous-approval-of-bill-to-better-prepare-schools-for-emergency-drills/
February 2, 2015
Listen to Nate's interview on Z105.5 FM "the Breakfast Club" - Governor's budget, taxing nonprofits, student truancy, home care, state dog
http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-133290/TS-942160.mp3
January 23, 2015
Lewiston Senior Citizens Club January Meeting
Sen. Nate Libby joined members for the meal. He let members know that he is available to answer questions about the legislative process and about what is happening around the State of Maine.
He can be contacted if anyone wants someone acknowledged for something they did or for a special birthday or event. Also, he is available for tours of the State Capitol.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/connections/2015/01/23/lewiston-senior-citizens-club-select-valentine-king-queen-next-meeting/1645822
January 23, 2015
Chat Archive: Should Maine tax its nonprofits?
Joining us today as panelists will be:
- Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte, the Director of LePage's Office of Policy Management
- Steven Michaud, President of the Maine Hospital Association
- State Sen. Nathan Libby, D-Lewiston. Libby serves on the Legislature's Taxation Committee. He also serves as a Lewiston City Councilor and is one of the original co-authors of a bill that also looked to restructure Maine's tax system in 2013.
- Lori Gramlich, the Director of Public Policy and Communications for the Maine Association of Nonprofits.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2015/01/23/live-chat-should-maine-tax-its-nonprofits/1646677
January 8, 2015
Democrats leery of LePage's proposal to cut income taxes
State Sen. Nathan Libby, D-Lewiston, a member of the Legislature's Taxation Committee, said he was hopeful LePage's plan would incorporate parts of a plan he helped author in 2014 that would have broadened Maine's sales tax as a way of providing income and property tax relief. Libby's proposal was part of a bipartisan bill that became known as the "Gang of 11" plan, which would have expanded sales taxes during Maine's busy tourist season.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2015/01/08/democrats-leery-lepage-income-tax-plan/1640002
January 5, 2015
Listen to Nate's interview on Z105.5 FM "the Breakfast Club" - campaign recap, bipartisanship, tax reform, revenue sharing
http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-133290/TS-933009.mp3
December 29, 2014
Maine cities, towns prepare to defend revenue in next state budget
AUGUSTA — Maine's cities and towns are bracing for what's sure to be another battle over how much tax revenue the state should ship their way as part of the state's revenue sharing program.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2014/12/29/maine-cities-towns-prepare-defend-revenue-next-state-budget/1636080
December 23, 2014
Consistent revenue, programs top Lewiston's wish list for state legislators
LEWISTON — City officials may not be expecting anything special under the tree on Christmas, but they did unleash a big list of wishes for state legislators for the coming year.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2014/12/23/consistent-revenue-programs-top-lewistons-wish-list-state-legislators/1634443
November 17, 2014
Libby prevails in recount of Lewiston State Senate race
AUGUSTA — Nate Libby, a Lewiston Democrat, was officially declared the winner in the race for state Senate District 21 on Monday, according to Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2014/11/17/libby-prevails-recount-lewiston-state-senate-race/1619364
November 12, 2014
Androscoggin County voters send young guns to State Senate
LEWISTON — In a state increasingly haunted by its ever-aging population and national notoriety for being the oldest state in America, voters in Androscoggin County have sent three people to the state Senate this year who are all younger than 30.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/0001/11/30/androscoggin-county-voters-send-young-guns-state-senate/1616480
October 28, 2014
Sun Journal Candidate Profile: Senate District 21 (Lewiston)
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/election-2014/2014/10/28/maine-senate-district-21/1592297
October 16, 2014
Lewiston state Senate candidate says mailers misrepresent his voting record
LEWISTON — A Democratic candidate for the state Senate says his voting record on welfare reform is being misrepresented by the Maine Republican Party.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn-maine/2014/10/16/lewiston-state-senate-candidate-says-mailers-misrepresent-his-voting-record/1604071
October 14, 2014
State House candidates share views during Lewiston Forum
Libby said a bill he co-sponsored in 2013 would have kept businesses from sheltering income from the state's income tax by setting up offshore companies. Libby has noted the amount of revenue the state loses each year is estimated to be about $11 million. "We are going to ask those companies to pay all of the taxes they owe and not a penny more," Libby said. "We as local citizens and small-business owners all pay all of the taxes we owe and not a penny more."
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2014/10/08/state-house-candidates-share-views-during-lewiston-forum/1600117
October 14, 2014
Listen to Nate's interview on Z105.5 FM "the Breakfast Club"
http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-133290/TS-908206.mp3
September 19, 2014
Lewiston state Senate candidates share views during homelessness forum
LEWISTON — Two candidates running for Lewiston's state Senate District 21 seat shared their views on several key issues during a short forum at the Pine Street Wellness and Recovery Center on Thursday. Republican Patti Gagne and Democrat Nate Libby split ways on most of the hot-button issues, including raising the state's minimum wage and expanding Maine's Medicaid program, MaineCare, under the federal Affordable Care Act.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2014/09/19/lewiston-state-senate-candidates-share-views-during-homelessness-forum/1591026
September 5, 2014
Young leaders visit State House
Rep. Nathan Libby, D-Lewiston, welcomed members of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council to Augusta to tour the State House and the Blaine House in June. Lewiston City Council established the Youth Advisory Council in 2001 to give young residents a voice in local government. Libby serves as city councilor in addition to representing a part of the city in the state Legislature.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/connections/2014/09/03/young-leaders-visit-state-house/1579215
August 10, 2014
Nathan Libby: Pre-K programs have proven their worth
Lewiston is in the midst of an ambitious endeavor. It is one that has far-reaching benefits for our schools, community, taxpayers and our most important resource: our children.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/columns-analysis/2014/08/10/nathan-libby-pre-k-programs-have-proven-their-worth/1571288
Paid for and authorized by Nate Libby for Senate, Margaret Craven, Treasurer, 12 Orange Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240
Dottie Perham-Whittier, Lewiston's Community Relations Coordinator, and I recently met with members of the Lewiston Auburn Rotary District 7790 to talk about Together We Play, Lewiston's universally accessible playground project. The playground is the result of an award to the city from the Shane's Inspiration/Landscape Structure contest of $10,000 in equipment and $50,0000 in playground design. The playground will be built to be barrier free - fun for able-bodied children as well as those with developmental, emotional, mobility, or physical disabilities. It was a great discussion and I look forward to continuing to work with Rotarians in all their areas of civic engagement.
To learn more about this project please visit: http://www.lewistonmaine.gov/playgroundpacket16
Outgoing Lewiston Police Chief Bussiere Recognized by Community
Congratulations to Lewiston Police Chief Mike Bussiere on the occasion of his retirement. It is no accident that Lewiston has the lowest crime rate of all the major Maine cities. He has been an outstanding public servant for our city and will be greatly missed
I was glad of the opportunity to present Chief Bussiere with a Legislative Sentiment recognizing him for his years of dedication to Lewiston at his recent retirement ceremony.
Radio interview with the Z105.5 Breakfast Club
May 2016
I recently joined The Breakfast Club to discuss the Legislature's final day of session dealing with vetoes, as well as efforts to reform welfare, support solar energy, address the drug crisis, and other legislative matters. Click here to listen to the program.
Measures of Growth Report shows some progress for Maine
May 2016
Maine earned high marks for its cost of doing business and environmental quality, but there's still work to be done to support economic growth through education, transportation infrastructure and research and innovation.
Those were the findings of the latest report by the Maine Economic Growth Council, which issues the report annually to identify the state's progress toward long-term economic growth and an exemplary quality of life.
This year, Maine was lauded for its low cost of doing business and its air and water quality. Additionally, the state showed movement toward meeting its employment benchmarks; nonfarm payroll jobs grew, as did international exports. Strides were made toward housing affordability.
But the report also confirmed something we know all too well: when it comes to developing a suitable workforce for the new economy, Maine is falling behind. Improvement is needed in the areas of research and development, college graduation rates, and elementary reading and math scores.
Employers have told us that workforce development is crucial in attracting new, high-paying jobs to Maine, and so it has been one of my priorities in the Senate. This report shows us what we need to do to help Mainers prosper, and I'll continue fighting for Mainers to once again have good, steady jobs to provide for their families
Supporting our county jails, property taxpayers
April 2016
I'm always looking for ways to keep our property taxes from rising. This year, we passed a bill to protect property taxpayers and support our sheriff's departments by providing additional funding for our county jails.
Jails in our state have been suffering for some time. Increasing costs have put pressure on them, putting the jails at risk for layoffs and cuts to necessary programs. LD 1614, which was passed with bipartisan support, provides $2.4 million to county jails for the current fiscal year.
In the long-term, we still need a solution to problems with jail funding. But for now, this bill ensures our jails continue to operate as safely as possible, while preventing property tax increases that would be necessary to ease strained jail budgets at the local level. The bill has since been vetoed by the Governor and hopefully will be overridden by the Legislature on Friday.
Legislature passes investment for roads, R & D
April 2016
Last week, the governor signed two bills to authorize $145 million worth of bonds to pay for investments in the state's transportation infrastructure and research and development sector. I supported both of those bond bills.
Roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure don't just help Mainers get where they need to go. They also form the backbone of our state's economy. The transportation bond, worth $100 million, would pay for repairs, maintenance or construction of roads, bridges and more. This bond would create jobs for Maine people, and fund investments that help make our state more competitive. Voters will be asked whether to approve the transportation bond on this November's ballot.
The second bond would provide $45 million to the Maine Technology Institute to invest in research, development and commercialization within targeted technology sectors, as well as $5 million in new funding for the Maine Venture Fund. Maine lags sorely behind the rest of New England in R&D, and this bond would help the state prepare for the jobs of the future. Voters will be asked whether to approve the R&D Bond in summer 2017.
Update on our 'Welfare that Works' plan
March 2016
Mainers want politicians in Augusta to do their jobs. We have to move past the politics of welfare reform and move forward. This is why I continue to work with my colleagues in the Legislature to craft welfare reform that will be gain support from Republicans and Democrats alike.
Last week, the Health and Human Services Committee split along party lines on how to advance my bill to ban the use of welfare cash to buy alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets and other items that don't help families escape poverty.
Under my version of the bill, supported by the majority Democrats on the committee, we would ban the use of welfare cash to buy alcohol, tobacco, adult entertainment, lottery tickets and other gambling activity, tattoos, guns and ammunition, and bail. It also calls for changes to existing point-of-sale technology that will stop the misuse of benefits from taking place. Lastly, the plan institutes tough but fair penalties, including restitution of misused taxpayer dollars to a six-month loss of benefits.
The bill faces how heads to the Senate, where I will continue to work with senators on both sides of the aisle to focus their welfare reform efforts on common ground, and do the work Mainers sent them to Augusta to do.
The bill, along with one by Rep. Drew Gattine, D-Westbrook, comprise Democrats' Welfare that Works plan, which restores accountability to welfare and transforms welfare from a one-size-fits-all program to one that targets specific services such as housing, job training and education, to help Mainers lift themselves out of poverty.
Legislature enacts bill to attract game-changing businesses
March 2016
Last week, I was pleased to vote in favor of a bill aimed at attracting large-business investments to Maine. The bill, sponsored by my colleague, Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick, was enacted after a 33-1 vote and sent to Gov. Paul LePage.
Imagine a large business opening in our community, bringing with hundreds of jobs that pay strong wages. That would be a game-changer for the entire region, and a welcome sight for unemployed or underemployed people.
The bill, LD 1480, establishes the Invest in Maine Capital Fund within the independent Finance Authority of Maine. The Fund will support businesses developments, as long as the business commits to investing at least $50 million to create or retain at least 250 jobs that pay at least 125 percent of the state average wage.
That means good jobs, and lots of them. The legislation is modeled on successful programs in other states, which have provided seed capital for business creation and expansion. The initiative obligates no taxpayer dollars to the fund. Instead, the Fund will operate as a type of mutual fund for business investments and will be capitalized by pension funds, institutional endowments, insurance companies and other types of investment instruments.
The bill will go to Gov. Paul LePage, who has 10 days to sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.
Bill to ensure family access to death certificate moves forward
February 2016
This session I sponsored a bill to amend the state's law on issuing a death certificate to the child of a deceased parent. It may seem like an insignificant proposal, but for those who have been faced with this circumstance, it means a lot.
As amended, the bill, LD 1470, would change state law to permit the sole living parent of a minor child to obtain a certified copy of a death certificate of the child's deceased parent.
The proposed change came at the suggestion of city officials in Lewiston following a few unique circumstances in which the child of a deceased parent was not able to access the parent's death certificate because they were a minor, and the surviving parent who was not married to the decedent was barred from accessing the death certificate on behalf of the minor child.
The death of a parent is traumatic and the state does not need to make it even more burdensome for the family to access a death certificate because of a technical restriction.
I am please that the bill has received unanimous support and is up for enactment in the Senate this week.
March 6, 2015
La semaine du francophonie – two programs in March
Two welcome invitations arrived this week to celebrate La Semaine du Francophonie (The Week of the Francophones). Both invites are free and open to the public to recognize Maine’s Franco-Americans. An invitation from the Franco-American legislative caucus chairs Senator Nate Libby and Representative John L. Martin extended a cordial welcome to attend the Maine Legislature’s annual Franco-American Day, on Wednesday, March 18, in the Augusta State House.
http://contributors.pressherald.com/news/the-franco-american-blog/la-semaine-du-francophonie-two-programs-march/
March 6, 2015
Lewiston lawmaker helps lead charge for bill on standardized test opt-out
A Lewiston lawmaker is helping lead the charge on a bill that would make it easier for parents to keep their children from taking standardized tests in public schools. State. Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, said Thursday the bill he's c0-sponsored with state Rep. Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, is simple and straightforward and makes it clear children, schools and teachers can't be penalized when parents pull their children from standardized testing.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn-maine/2015/03/05/lewiston-lawmaker-helps-lead-charge-bill-standardized-test-opt-out/1664240
March 5, 2015
Listen to Nate's interview on Z105.5 FM "the Breakfast Club" - Governor's budget, tax reform, passenger rail in L/A, welfare fraud, Franco-American Day
http://goo.gl/AaJDhi
March 3, 2015
Measure to strengthen economic investment program garners strong support
“This is tax policy that has a positive, concrete impact on job creation. This isn’t a phantom connection to job creation that we can’t measure,” said Democratic State Senator Nate Libby of Lewiston, the bill’s sponsor. “We can look around the state from Washington County to Androscoggin County and witness the businesses and the thousands of jobs this program helped create.”
http://www.mainesenate.org/2015/03/03/measure-to-strengthen-economic-investment-program-garners-broad-support/
February 28, 2015
Legislators Honor Berman & Simmons 100th Anniversary
State legislators visited the Berman & Simmons law firm recently to congratulate members on its 100th anniversary. The firm has been a fixture on Lisbon Street in Lewiston since its founding in 1914. Sen. Nate Libby (D-Lewiston), Rep. Jared Golden (D-Lewiston) and Rep. Heidi Brooks (D-Lewiston) presented the lawyers at Berman & Simmons with a certificate of recognition signed by the officers of the Maine Senate and House.
http://www.twincitytimes.com/events/legislators-honor-berman-simmons
February 12, 2015
Senator Libby applauds Education Committee's unanimous approval of bill to better prepare for school emergencies
AUGUSTA – In response to tragedies in schools around the nation, Senator Nate Libby of Lewiston introduced legislation this session to require Maine schools to be better prepared in the event of an emergency.
The bill, “Resolve, Directing the Department of Education To Amend the School Emergency Drill Rules,” gained unanimous approval from the Legislature’s committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. It would ask all Maine schools to conduct lockdown drills in addition to their current practice of conducting fire drills, while keeping the current required number of emergency drills the same.
http://www.mainesenate.org/2015/02/12/senator-libby-applauds-education-committees-unanimous-approval-of-bill-to-better-prepare-schools-for-emergency-drills/
February 2, 2015
Listen to Nate's interview on Z105.5 FM "the Breakfast Club" - Governor's budget, taxing nonprofits, student truancy, home care, state dog
http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-133290/TS-942160.mp3
January 23, 2015
Lewiston Senior Citizens Club January Meeting
Sen. Nate Libby joined members for the meal. He let members know that he is available to answer questions about the legislative process and about what is happening around the State of Maine.
He can be contacted if anyone wants someone acknowledged for something they did or for a special birthday or event. Also, he is available for tours of the State Capitol.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/connections/2015/01/23/lewiston-senior-citizens-club-select-valentine-king-queen-next-meeting/1645822
January 23, 2015
Chat Archive: Should Maine tax its nonprofits?
Joining us today as panelists will be:
- Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte, the Director of LePage's Office of Policy Management
- Steven Michaud, President of the Maine Hospital Association
- State Sen. Nathan Libby, D-Lewiston. Libby serves on the Legislature's Taxation Committee. He also serves as a Lewiston City Councilor and is one of the original co-authors of a bill that also looked to restructure Maine's tax system in 2013.
- Lori Gramlich, the Director of Public Policy and Communications for the Maine Association of Nonprofits.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2015/01/23/live-chat-should-maine-tax-its-nonprofits/1646677
January 8, 2015
Democrats leery of LePage's proposal to cut income taxes
State Sen. Nathan Libby, D-Lewiston, a member of the Legislature's Taxation Committee, said he was hopeful LePage's plan would incorporate parts of a plan he helped author in 2014 that would have broadened Maine's sales tax as a way of providing income and property tax relief. Libby's proposal was part of a bipartisan bill that became known as the "Gang of 11" plan, which would have expanded sales taxes during Maine's busy tourist season.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2015/01/08/democrats-leery-lepage-income-tax-plan/1640002
January 5, 2015
Listen to Nate's interview on Z105.5 FM "the Breakfast Club" - campaign recap, bipartisanship, tax reform, revenue sharing
http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-133290/TS-933009.mp3
December 29, 2014
Maine cities, towns prepare to defend revenue in next state budget
AUGUSTA — Maine's cities and towns are bracing for what's sure to be another battle over how much tax revenue the state should ship their way as part of the state's revenue sharing program.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2014/12/29/maine-cities-towns-prepare-defend-revenue-next-state-budget/1636080
December 23, 2014
Consistent revenue, programs top Lewiston's wish list for state legislators
LEWISTON — City officials may not be expecting anything special under the tree on Christmas, but they did unleash a big list of wishes for state legislators for the coming year.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2014/12/23/consistent-revenue-programs-top-lewistons-wish-list-state-legislators/1634443
November 17, 2014
Libby prevails in recount of Lewiston State Senate race
AUGUSTA — Nate Libby, a Lewiston Democrat, was officially declared the winner in the race for state Senate District 21 on Monday, according to Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2014/11/17/libby-prevails-recount-lewiston-state-senate-race/1619364
November 12, 2014
Androscoggin County voters send young guns to State Senate
LEWISTON — In a state increasingly haunted by its ever-aging population and national notoriety for being the oldest state in America, voters in Androscoggin County have sent three people to the state Senate this year who are all younger than 30.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/0001/11/30/androscoggin-county-voters-send-young-guns-state-senate/1616480
October 28, 2014
Sun Journal Candidate Profile: Senate District 21 (Lewiston)
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/election-2014/2014/10/28/maine-senate-district-21/1592297
October 16, 2014
Lewiston state Senate candidate says mailers misrepresent his voting record
LEWISTON — A Democratic candidate for the state Senate says his voting record on welfare reform is being misrepresented by the Maine Republican Party.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn-maine/2014/10/16/lewiston-state-senate-candidate-says-mailers-misrepresent-his-voting-record/1604071
October 14, 2014
State House candidates share views during Lewiston Forum
Libby said a bill he co-sponsored in 2013 would have kept businesses from sheltering income from the state's income tax by setting up offshore companies. Libby has noted the amount of revenue the state loses each year is estimated to be about $11 million. "We are going to ask those companies to pay all of the taxes they owe and not a penny more," Libby said. "We as local citizens and small-business owners all pay all of the taxes we owe and not a penny more."
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2014/10/08/state-house-candidates-share-views-during-lewiston-forum/1600117
October 14, 2014
Listen to Nate's interview on Z105.5 FM "the Breakfast Club"
http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-133290/TS-908206.mp3
September 19, 2014
Lewiston state Senate candidates share views during homelessness forum
LEWISTON — Two candidates running for Lewiston's state Senate District 21 seat shared their views on several key issues during a short forum at the Pine Street Wellness and Recovery Center on Thursday. Republican Patti Gagne and Democrat Nate Libby split ways on most of the hot-button issues, including raising the state's minimum wage and expanding Maine's Medicaid program, MaineCare, under the federal Affordable Care Act.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2014/09/19/lewiston-state-senate-candidates-share-views-during-homelessness-forum/1591026
September 5, 2014
Young leaders visit State House
Rep. Nathan Libby, D-Lewiston, welcomed members of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council to Augusta to tour the State House and the Blaine House in June. Lewiston City Council established the Youth Advisory Council in 2001 to give young residents a voice in local government. Libby serves as city councilor in addition to representing a part of the city in the state Legislature.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/connections/2014/09/03/young-leaders-visit-state-house/1579215
August 10, 2014
Nathan Libby: Pre-K programs have proven their worth
Lewiston is in the midst of an ambitious endeavor. It is one that has far-reaching benefits for our schools, community, taxpayers and our most important resource: our children.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/columns-analysis/2014/08/10/nathan-libby-pre-k-programs-have-proven-their-worth/1571288
Paid for and authorized by Nate Libby for Senate, Margaret Craven, Treasurer, 12 Orange Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240
