Hancock County Democrats Pack City Hall

Ellsworth City Hall
1 City Hall Ave. Ellsworth, ME 04605

A shining city upon a hill is what you'll find when you visit Ellsworth, Maine. The historic City Hall lights up the downtown region, where locals gather for a wide variety of activities. Every third Thursday of the month from 7-9 P.M., this shining beacon transforms its Auditorium space into the monthly meeting of the Hancock County Democratic Committee (HCDC). 

It was a packed room Thursday night. Democrats from all across Hancock County gathered to conduct their montly duties, but many were drawn in because of the monthly program speaker. This month, the HCDC was joined by the humorous economist, Garrett Martin, Executive Director of the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MCEP). 

Garrett Martin, Executive Director of the Maine Center for Economic Policy

Martin shared a lot of information with the Democrats, but began with the disclosure that his organization is a non-profit and they do not take positions on elections. However, he followed up by saying that he was committed to the truth, and that the numbers speak for themselves. The information in was shared in a slideshow presentation that took statistics from many reports generated by MCEP, including The State of Working Maine in 2013 Executive Summary and Unprecedented Opportunity: Federal Health Care Funds Will Deliver 4,400 Jobs and $500,000,000 in Annual Economic Activity to Maine by 2016. 

Maine's job recovery from the recession is trailing the progress in both New England and the United States. Maine lost 21,100 jobs and has only recovered 1,900 of them, putting Maine in bottom ten states when it comes to recovery, said Martin. Maine is experiencing a 6.4% unemployment rate, and while that is less than the national average of 7%, that can largely be attributed to people dropping out of the job force. When people drop out of the job force, unemployment gets bumped, and that creates deceiving numbers. 

One out of every three people who are unemployed have been so for six months or more. Martin says that if you've been out of a job for more than six months, you are less likely to get an interview. Those that are out of a job for less than two months are more likely to bounce back. Full unemployment is not the only the only issue, though. Martin said "there are a lot of people that have half-time jobs, but want full-time jobs". 

If you're lucky enough to have a job, there is still more bad news. Wages are seen to be growing at the top in the 90th percentile, but those in the middle and at the bottom are being left behind. Martin said that "workers are more productive than ever, but compensation isn't keeping pace". 

The MCEP has done projections on the change in Maine employment from 2010-2020 and has concluded that the service-providing industry will grow by 8.6%, the goods-producing industry will grow by 4.9%, and government sector jobs will grow by just 0.8%, dismissing the myth that the only jobs out there are government jobs. 

Martin went on to talk about expanding medicaid and what that would do for the state, from the perspective of an economist. Medicaid expansion would cover those who are not eligible under the Affordable Care Act for health care coverage, which means that they do not fall between the 100-138% of the poverty level. Expanding this provision would cover up to 69,500 Mainers and bring in $338 million in federal funds. This could mean $500 million would be generated in economic activity, 4,100-4,400 jobs, and an additional $23 million in state and local revenue. If you'd like to read more about the MCEP and their research on this and other issues, please visit there website here. 

After Martin said "peace out" and completed his presentation, the HCDC returned to their regularly scheduled meeting. David Guarente of Blue Hill was elected as a Member-at-Large to the Committee after attending the required minimum of three consecutive meetings. 

The Committee heard from District Attorney Dee Bassano, County Commissioner Antonio Blasi, and Andrea Perry, one of eight candidates for the five open seats on the Ellsworth School Board. 

In addition, Bethany Reynolds and Dexter Bellows spoke as surrogates for candidate Shenna Bellows who is running for the U.S. Senate against longtime incumbent Susan Collins. 

Shenna has served as the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine for the last eight years and is originally from the town of Hancock. Shenna has two events coming up in Hancock County over the next two days, and that is just one example of her commitment to reaching Mainers everywhere. 

The HCDC voted on two resolutions that were both passed. 

The first resolution states "Be it resolved, that the Hancock County Democratic Committee (1) communicate with every state legislator serving portions of this County calling on them to disapprove the Maine Board of Environmental Protection proposed regulations when the matter comes before them to vote and (2) further publicize this environmental protection action to the media serving this county". 

The second resolution regarded expanding MaineCare and taking that one step further to support universal health care in Maine through a single-payer system. That resolution read "Be it resolved, that the Hancock County Democratic Committee urges its four Democratic legislators to vote for both bills and any needed veto override, and further calls upon the Hancock County's Republican legislators to serve the health care needs of all the residents of Hancock County by helping make these two bills the law of the land in Maine".  

The HCDC wrapped up its January meeting with high hopes and excitement about the upcoming Democratic Caucus on Sunday March 2nd. The next meeting of the HCDC is on February 20th from 7-9 P.M. at the Ellsworth City Hall Auditorium.