The current unemployment rate is relatively low, but there are still many unemployed or underemployed Mainers. In 1998, Congress addressed this problem with state grants to provide local programs that help people gain the skills needed to reach their maximum potential within the work force. Maine’s share of funding in recent years has been approximately $3 million dollars.
In 2016, Gov. LePage, arguing that the programs should be centrally administered, blocked regional access to those federal funds, thus seriously disrupting local services. Under court order, he finally released the funds, allowing the regional offices to try to reconstruct the programs that had operated so successfully for many years.
Janet Mills has pledged not to interfere with the funding for these valuable work force development programs. Her Republican opponent has made no such promise and his statements fully supporting Gov. LePage’s policies suggest that he may continue the governor’s obstructionist practices.
Elaine Makas, Lewiston
Copy the Story LinkSend questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.