Letter to Editor: Senator respects the will of the voters

The Legislature has seemingly been undermining everything voters pass at the ballot box. It’s almost as if our vote doesn’t matter. I don’t understand why elected officials simply don’t listen to the people.

Sen. Justin Chenette however, gets it. He has been a leading voice of reason in a sea of chaos. Trying to defend free and fair election results and force the governor and his colleagues to abide by them. What a concept.

Justin has supported efforts to fully implement every passed referendum from minimum wage to ranked choice voting. His efforts to protect and increase education funding were successful, but sadly the referendum mechanism to continue that higher level of funding beyond one budget cycle was removed. At least he is fighting to protect our democratic intuitions.

Back in 2015, Maine voters overwhelmingly voted to approve $15 million in affordable senior housing bonds. These resources would be used directly for the construction of new senior housing for those on fixed incomes. Since then Gov. Paul LePage has refused to release the bonds. Meanwhile, the state of Maine is faced with an ever increasing crisis with waiting lists and a lack of housing options. Justin has taken Gov. LePage to task for not releasing these voter-approved bonds, even questioning him directly in front of his committee publicly. He voted to mandate the governor to release the bond, but not enough colleagues joined him.
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We need a senator who is going to stand up for and respect the will of the voters. Justin does that and more.

​Karen-Sue Underwood
Old Orchard Beach

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