Unveiling a budget that for the first time in 35 years is smaller than the previous year, Maine Gov. John Baldacci (D) called on lawmakers to create thousands of green jobs, launch new health care programs, and revamp the state’s groundbreaking school laptop program.
In a March 10 address to the Democratic-controlled Legislature, Baldacci vowed to leverage the state’s $900 million share of one-time federal money to create 11,000 new jobs building highways and bridges and weatherizing homes. His goal: Improve energy efficiency in every Maine home and half of all businesses within 20 years.
Baldacci also announced a “universal wellness” program that he said would offer free, confidential health consultations for all Mainers and link them to local organizations that can help them improve their health and prevent disease.
He also said he would use stimulus money to create a voucher program aimed at helping unemployed workers hold onto their health insurance. “A terrible side effect of rising unemployment is that more and more people are losing their health insurance because it was provided by their employer,” Baldacci said.
In 2002, Maine made headlines by giving laptop computers to all seventh and eighth grade students and teachers to help them prepare for technology-based jobs. This year the Department of Education will install software on those laptops that will connect to a state careers Web site designed to help both kids and parents find jobs, Baldacci announced.
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