A bill sponsored by Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland) aiming to provide millions of dollars in continuing support for the Maine Community College System has been unanimously rejected after the Senate took no action to bring it to the floor for a vote this week.
LD 680 sought to give millions of dollars in ongoing funding to the state’s seven community colleges to “support students’ learning and completion for a credential of value,” its text reads.
$6 million would have been appropriated for FY2025-26, while $6.3 million would have been set aside in FY2026-27.
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During a public hearing for this bill held in March, Sen. Daughtry argued that this is “essential ongoing funding” that would help “ensure our community colleges have the resources they need to continue offering high-quality support services to students across the state.”
She also pointed out how enrollment has significantly increased in recent years as a result of the pandemic-related free enrollment programs, suggesting that the additional funding is necessary to help students “overcome barriers to completing their education.”
Representatives from each of Maine’s community colleges also offered testimony in support of this additional funding.
Earlier this month, members of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee unanimously voted in opposition to this bill.
In accordance with regular legislative procedures, the Senate President’s proposal has now been placed in the legislative files as a dead bill and it will not be considered any further this session.
