<![CDATA[Valentino Development - News]]>Thu, 27 Jun 2024 19:38:03 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Valentino featured in Thornton Academy's Postscripts]]>Fri, 21 Oct 2016 14:56:52 GMThttps://www.valentinodevelopment.com/news/valentino-featured-in-thornton-academys-postscriptsClick pictures below to read article
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]]><![CDATA[Families support Valentino bill to boost ‘cold case’ civil actions]]>Fri, 11 Mar 2016 13:09:51 GMThttps://www.valentinodevelopment.com/news/families-support-valentino-bill-to-boost-cold-case-civil-actionsAUGUSTA — Families of unsolved homicide victims voiced their support for a bill introduced by Sen. Linda Valentino, D-Saco, that would extend the statute of limitations for civil actions to be sought to 6 years.

Currently in Maine, a family of a homicide victim has only a 2 year window from the date of the victim’s death for bringing civil actions. The bill, LD 1605, would give families a window of 6 years from the time the victim’s family becomes aware that there may be a cause of action against a defendant.

“In my conversations with families of homicide victims I hear over and over again that the statute of limitations is too short,” said Sen. Valentino. “This bill would bring some fairness to the system for families, no matter how quickly a homicide is solved.”

For families of homicide victims whose cases go unsolved for a number of years, the extended statute of limitations gives more time for further evidence to be gathered - they may not know against whom to bring a civil action within the current 2 year timeframe.

Lisa Ouellette, who continues to await her daughter’s murder to be solved, wrote in support of the bill, saying that “it’s been 17 years since Ashley passed but I had to file civil suit just within the two years of her passing.”

Although the bill would not retroactively change the status of the statute of limitations for the families who testified, they chose to do so in order to help make the situation better for the families who will, unfortunately, find themselves in the same situation in the future.

“Losing a family member to homicide is, clearly, a traumatic experience and filing a civil action against the perpetrator within two years of the death is too much to bear,” said Sen. Valentino. “Expanding the timeframe will allow those families to take time to mourn and begin to heal and only file the action when they are emotionally ready to do so.”

Also speaking in support of the bill was Attorney General Janet Mills. No one spoke in opposition.
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The Judiciary Committee members present unanimously approved the bill to move forward to the Senate.]]><![CDATA[York County court upgrades clear committee with unanimous support]]>Wed, 02 Mar 2016 00:04:11 GMThttps://www.valentinodevelopment.com/news/york-county-court-upgrades-clear-committee-with-unanimous-supportAUGUSTA — A bill by Sen. Linda Valentino to construct a modern, consolidated courthouse in York County won the bipartisan endorsement of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
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“I’m thankful for the committee’s support and look forward to this bill’s passage in the full Legislature,” said Sen. Valentino. “This vote shows what can happen when local, county and state officials get together to do the right thing for our communities. The people of York County deserve a safe, modern and efficient access to justice. This bill will get them there.”
The bill, LD 1528, “An Act to Modernize and Consolidate Court Facilities,”would provide funding for a new courthouse in York County and create a “York County Courthouse Site Selection Commission,” which will deliberate on where in York County the new courthouse should be located.  It would include a bipartisan group of local lawmakers, county officials, judicial officials, law enforcement, local attorneys and designees of the governor.

The bill also provides funding for courthouse modernization in Waldo and Oxford Counties.
The York County Courthouse in Alfred is outdated and ill-equipped to deal with its current caseload. Cases are often delayed for more than a year because of a lack of suitable trial space.

The Courthouse was originally constructed in 1806, when the local communities were small and rural.  Today, York County the second-most populous county in the state. Its caseload is nearly that of Cumberland County’s, the state’s most-populous, but York’s judicial facilities fall woefully behind Cumberland’s. WMTW recently toured the Courthouse, reporting that the building had “outlived its use.”

“Cramped space is an inconvenience, but exposed pipes, exposed wires, several bathrooms that are virtually impossible for a handicapped person to access, those are all problems. Orange-clad prisoners frequently share the hallways with everyone else,” reported WMTW journalist Paul Merrill. “... Maine's top judicial official, Chief Justice Leigh Saufley, said the lack of safety in old courthouses like this one terrifies her.”
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The bill has the support of Maine Supreme Judicial Court Justice Leigh Saufley, Gov. Paul LePage, local and county-level officials in York County, and local and county-level law enforcement.
The bill now heads to the Senate.


]]><![CDATA[Bipartisan Drug Bill Moves Forward]]>Tue, 12 Jan 2016 23:13:25 GMThttps://www.valentinodevelopment.com/news/bipartisan-drug-bill-moves-forwardAUGUSTA | Today the Senate members and House Democrats on the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee voted to approve a bipartisan bill to combat drug addiction in Maine through law enforcement, treatment, prevention, and recovery. The bill was voted Ought to Pass as Amended 9-4. Representatives Timberlake (R-Turner), Sirocki (R-Scarborough), Nutting (R-Oakland) and Winsor (R-Norway) declined to support the majority report citing opposition based on relatively minor issues within the bill.   
“We continue to hear an urgent call to action from survivors, their parents, and those on the front lines of this epidemic” said Representative Peggy Rotundo (D-Lewiston), Chair of the Appropriations Committee. “I look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers on this proposal and the slate of other bills before us this session to help address the drug crisis which threatens the health and well-being of our communities.”
 
“This package is a down payment on our commitment to fighting the state’s devastating, deadly drug addiction crisis,” said Senator Linda Valentino, the lead Senate Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. “Democrats and Republicans alike came together on the Appropriations Committee to make sure our state took this important first step. We hear a lot about how divided we are in the Legislature, but on this issue, we are united.”
 
Sponsored by Senate President Mike Thibodeau (R-Waldo) and House Speaker Mark Eves (D-North Berwick), LD 1537 “An Act to Combat Drug Addiction Through Enforcement, Treatment, Prevention and Recovery moved through both Criminal Justice and Public Safety and Health and Human Services Committees last week by a vote of 10-2 and 6-2 respectively.

“Today’s strong committee vote in support of LD 1537 reflects the vital importance to our state of turning this drug epidemic around - we must not delay supports for prevention, treatment and recovery any longer,” said Representative Linda Sanborn (D-Gorham)
 
In the coming days the bill will move to the Senate. The bill joins a series of others moving forward that are aimed at crafting a comprehensive approach to combatting Maine’s drug crisis.
 
Members of three legislative committees heard overwhelming support for the plan during a public hearing last week which included testimony from approximately 100 members of the public representing law enforcement, medical professionals, people in recovery, and parents. Supportive organizations included the Maine Chief’s Association, the Maine Sheriff’s Association, the Maine Medical Association, Western Maine Addiction Task Force, AARP, the Mayor’s Coalition, the Maine Primary Care Association, the Maine Nurse Practitioner Association and others.
 
“Chief Bob Fitzsimmons, a member of my community, drove almost 3 hours to testify in the public hearing for this bill to desperately ask for the help he needs to save the lives of our kids and families," said Representative Maker, (R-Calais) I’m proud to see members have put politics aside to support a bill with common sense solutions that will move us forward in solving this deadly crisis.”
]]><![CDATA[After ‘Cold Case’ bill, work on unsolved homicides far from over]]>Tue, 12 Jan 2016 23:08:48 GMThttps://www.valentinodevelopment.com/news/after-cold-case-bill-work-on-unsolved-homicides-far-from-overPicture
​AUGUSTA — Sen. Linda Valentino, D-Saco,  and Rep. Karl Ward, R-Dedham, hosted the families of unsolved homicide victims at the State House on Tuesday, and announced further legislation aimed at helping those families find closure and justice.
 
During a lunch meeting, the families expressed their hopes and desires for further action regarding how the state handles unsolved homicides. The families highlighted the need for transparency and communication with law enforcement, and additional resources to tell their stories and seek civil damages associated with the unsolved homicides.
 
“We met with families today to listen and to learn. What we heard was clear: We made progress last year with the ‘cold case squad’ bill, and we’re in a better position now than we were last year,” Sen. Valentino said. “The Attorney General’s Office has worked hard to create and staff this new unit, but the families of victims still have unmet needs.”
Last year, Sen. Valentino sponsored LD 1221, which funded the creation of the Cold Case Squad, which is now named the Unsolved Homicide Unit. Rep. Ward was a co-sponsor of the bill, which was eventually wrapped into the bipartisan budget. Since the bill’s passage, the AG’s office has hired two detectives, and is working to fill a victim’s advocate position and to establish new policies to govern the unit’s operation.
 
“It was an honor to sit down with these families who have shown unimaginable strength and grace in the face of tragedy,” said Rep. Ward. “As legislators, we need to do everything in our power to make sure that all state agencies are doing all that they can to help these families find closure.”
 
During a news conference, Sen. Valentino announced she would submit legislation to address two concerns raised by the families.
 
The first would allow for the release of certain information that would not be damaging to an ongoing criminal investigation. Families are desperate to spread the stories of their loved ones’ deaths far and wide in an effort to draw out witnesses or additional information. Many of the families would like to enlist private investigators or media outlets to advance their cases, but don’t have access to information in sealed cold files.
 
The second bill would examine the current two-year statute of limitations for civil lawsuits to be filed related to an unsolved homicide. Families need more time to build a case, and feel the current law hinders their ability to seek justice in civil court.
]]><![CDATA[MEASURE TO FUND COLD CASE UNIT MOVES FORWARD]]>Thu, 28 May 2015 15:27:56 GMThttps://www.valentinodevelopment.com/news/measure-to-fund-cold-case-unit-moves-forwardAUGUSTA --Today, in a near final step to becoming law, the Senate referred the Cold Case Homicide Squad bill to the so-called “special appropriations table,” where it will be considered by the Appropriations Committee for funding.


The bill, LD 1121, "An Act To Fund the Cold Case Homicide Unit in the Department of the Attorney General," has already received initial approval in both the House and Senate.


Senator Valentino was compelled to bring this bill forward after hearing from several family members of the victims of unsolved murders in Maine, including one in her own community. In 1999, the 15 year old daughter of a friend was murdered. Sixteen years later, her killer has never been brought to justice.



“For more than a decade I have felt helpless and dismayed that there are 120 unsolved murders in Maine; but today, as a Senator, I no longer feel helpless,” said Democratic State Senator Linda Valentino of Saco, a sponsor of the measure. "Law enforcement is now one step closer to being able to take a fresh look at these cases.”


The measure has garnered an outpouring of support from both sides of the aisle and from the public. At the press conference and public hearing, lawmakers heard heartbreaking stories from families, including that of Trista Reynolds, mother of 18 month old Ayla Reynolds who went missing in 2011 and is presumed murdered by police; Ramona Torres, mother of Angel Torres, 21, who police believe was a victim of foul play after he disappeared on Mother’s Day of 1999; Lise Ouellette, mother of Ashley Ouellette, 15, whose body was discovered on the side of the road in Scarborough 15 years ago.


“As a Senator on the Appropriations Committee, I have also introduced an amendment to secure funding in the current budget,” added Senator Valentino. “We owe it to the victims, the families, and the public to make this a priority.”


The bill has been placed on the Special Appropriations Table to await funding.

]]><![CDATA[Senate Republicans deny small biz protection]]>Tue, 12 May 2015 20:40:36 GMThttps://www.valentinodevelopment.com/news/senate-republicans-deny-small-biz-protectionPicture
AUGUSTA -  Fifteen Senate Republicans flipped from their initial support of a bill that prohibits financial institutions and creditors from mailing unsolicited loan offers known as “live” checks to small businesses and upheld Gov. LePage’s veto.

“When the governor vetoed the bill, he said it was because this practice was ‘likely prohibited’. That is not good enough for me. I don’t buy it. Either it is or it isn’t prohibited,” said Democratic State Senator Linda Valentino of Saco, the sponsor of the bill. “This is a measure that would have helped our small businesses like our sole proprietors. It is disappointing that others aren’t sticking with their votes to stand with me in  protecting Maine’s businesses.”

The measure received support from the Superintendent of the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection Will Lund and Assistant Attorney General Linda Conti. The state’s Insurance and Financial Services committee voted unanimously in support of the bill, including the committee’s chair, Senator Whittemore who then voted against overriding the governor’s veto.

The bill would have enacted a new provision in the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act prohibiting the use of a solicitation designed to resemble a “negotiable instrument,” including a check, unless the document clearly states on its face that it is not negotiable. Uncharted loan companies would have been prohibited from mailing the solicitations, which have the appearance of an actual check but when cashed by the recipient constitute acceptance of a loan.

Two-thirds or 24 votes is needed to override a veto; however the bill was four votes short of overriding the veto.  LD 455, “An Act To Prohibit Deceptive Practices Regarding Negotiable Investments,”  is now dead.

]]><![CDATA[Senate enacts measure banning unsolicited loan checks]]>Tue, 28 Apr 2015 22:28:37 GMThttps://www.valentinodevelopment.com/news/senate-enacts-measure-banning-unsolicited-loan-checks“Live” checks: Bad deal that preys on elderly

AUGUSTA -  A measure that prohibits financial institutions and creditors from mailing unsolicited loan offers known as “live” checks passed in the Maine Senate today.

“Now when someone receives one of these ‘live’ checks they can call the Attorney General and they will have an avenue to protect themselves,”  said Democratic Senator Linda Valentino of Saco, the sponsor of the measure. “We cannot allow companies to prey on the elderly or other folks who may be down on hard times.”

The bill enacts a new provision in the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act prohibiting the use of a solicitation designed to resemble a “negotiable instrument,” including a check, unless the document clearly states on its face that it is not negotiable. Uncharted loan companies would be prohibited from mailing the solicitations, which have the appearance of an actual check but when cashed by the recipient constitute acceptance of a loan.

“After receiving multiple ‘live’ checks in the mail, I was inspired to submit this legislation,” added Sen. Valentino. “While I was lucky enough to determine the false nature of these checks, it can be incredibly difficult to know what to do. It’s no wonder why so many others are misled into applying for loans and getting locked into a never-ending cycle of debt.”

The measure protects both consumers and business to business solicitation.

The measure received support from the Superintendent of the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection Will Lund and Assistant Attorney General Linda Conti.

The bill, LD 455, “An Act To Prohibit Deceptive Practices Regarding Negotiable Investments,” now goes to the governor for his signature to become law.
]]><![CDATA[Better Deal for Maine]]>Sun, 19 Apr 2015 22:56:10 GMThttps://www.valentinodevelopment.com/news/better-deal-for-maineFor the past few months, I, along with my colleagues on the state’s budget writing committee, have been examining Gov. LePage’s $6.5 billion budget. As you may remember from my previous column, the Appropriations Committee has held numerous public hearings where we heard from hundreds of people--from economists to municipal officials and non-profit leaders.  Additionally, I have held a number of community forums in Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Biddeford, and Hollis to hear what you were thinking about the governor’s recommended changes to the tax code. I commend Gov. Lepage for joining the much-needed conversation on tax reform--and I agree with him that our archaic tax code is one of the things holding Maine back. But, after closer analysis of the LePage plan--and after hearing from the public, it has become clear that his priorities are out of step with the needs of Maine people.

Last week, Democrats released the  “Better Deal for Maine” budget, a counterproposal to Gov. LePage’s plan.

In it, we invest in middle-class economics: our plan allows more Mainers  to keep more of their hard-earned money. It lowers property taxes for all Maine homeowners. And, rather than shifting the tax burden on to our communities, as proposed by Gov.LePage, our plan asks non-residents, the top income-earners, and corporations to pay their fair share.

Here’s how the Better Deal for Maine stacks up to the LePage plan:

The Better Deal does not raise the sales tax rate. While the Better Deal adopts the sales tax broadening plan as proposed by the governor, the Better Deal keeps the sales tax rate at 5.5%--unlike the LePage plan that raises the sales tax to 6.5%.

The Better Deal cuts property taxes for all Maine homeowners. The LePage plan eliminates the Homestead Exemption for everyone--except those over the age of 65. The Better Deal doubles the Homestead Exemption to $20,000 for all Maine homeowners--regardless of age.

This means, for folks living in Saco or in Biddeford where the mill rates are comparable, a homeowner will see a property tax cut of about $380 compared to $0 as proposed under the LePage plan.  For folks who live elsewhere, with an average mill rate of 15, they will see a property tax cut of $300--again, compared to $0 under the LePage plan.

Additionally, the Better Deal increases the Property Tax Fairness Credit--up to $1,500 per qualifying homeowner.

Together, these property tax measures will save Maine residents $120 million per year.

The Better Deal cuts income taxes. While the LePage plan favors top income earners by giving 50% of his tax cut to only the top 10% wage earners (individuals with taxable income more than $134,000), the Better Deal directs 98% of income tax breaks to the bottom 95%.

  • Under the Better Deal for Maine, individuals with an average income of $47,000 will see an average tax cut of $191, compared to the LePage plan where they will see an overall average tax cut of $24.

  • Under the Better Deal for Maine, individuals with an average income of $72,000 will see an average cut of $169, compared to the LePage plan where they will see an overall average tax cut of $93.

The Better Deal prevents property tax spikes. The LePage plan slashes and then eliminates revenue sharing completely by 2017--causing our towns to either cut essential services or raise property taxes--or do both. The Better Deal actually increases revenue sharing to $80 million each year so that our communities can pay for local services like police, fire, and public works, and will not be forced to hike up property taxes to pay for essential services.

The Better Deal does not tax non-profits. The governor creates a new tax on non-profits.

The Better Deal invests in Maine's future. It invests an additional $20 million more dollars per year in K-12 local schools, getting the state two percentage points closer to the voter-mandated 55% goal.

Finally, the Better Deal is fiscally responsible. It’s fully paid for now and into the future. The LePage plan is not paid for and actually creates a budget hole of $300 million.

In order for Maine to be a place of prosperity and opportunity, then that work starts with the Better Deal for Maine. This is a plan that should garner the support of Democrats, Republicans and unenrolleds alike because it’s a plan that reflects our values and our priorities. It charts out our course for success--for today and in to the future. It gives young Mainers a reason to stay here and others a reason to make Maine their home.

I encourage you to read more about our plan at http://betterdeal.me/

]]><![CDATA[Drastic cuts to mental health services would shred safety net ]]>Sun, 08 Mar 2015 15:46:26 GMThttps://www.valentinodevelopment.com/news/drastic-cuts-to-mental-health-services-would-shred-safety-netLePage budget would dismantle work of community-based services   

AUGUSTA – The governor’s plan to make deep cuts in mental health services puts at-risk vulnerable Mainers by reducing the availability of vital services, increasing wait lists and pushing them toward crisis, according to testimony at public hearings before the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee.

The governor’s proposed state budget would impose 10 percent across-the-board cuts in Medicaid behavioral and mental health services. The governor’s budget would also deal cuts of about 60 percent to some providers in the area of medication management, services now provided by psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses to ensure that patients are complying with their regimens and not in danger of potentially dangerous drug complications.

In his testimony, Tom McAdam, chief executive of Kennebec Behavioral Health, referred to a 1996 tragedy in Waterville in which a severely mentally ill man bludgeoned to death two elderly nuns and left two others severely injured. He described how the case galvanized mental health services in Maine.

“I think it had a fairly major impact on the entire system. I think that it helped to bring resources into the community-based side. And frankly, many of us that are in the provider community are confused by some of the initiatives in this budget because they kind of run counter to what we thought our role and responsibility (were) as community providers,” McAdam said. “Really, next to housing, for people to be successful med management – access to med management – is important. And we already have an access issue, and that really is especially true for the kids.”

Democrats reaffirmed their commitment to a budget that protects the most vulnerable Mainers.

“The governor’s cuts would shred our safety net. They would have devastating effects on some of our most vulnerable Mainers – those grappling with severe mental illness – as well as their families and communities. Slashing mental health services to this extent has grave implications for public health and public safety in Maine. It’s beyond irresponsible to play games with people’s lives and public safety like this. The governor has presented us with a series of false choices. We do not need to pit one group against another,” said Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, House chair of the budget-writing committee.

 ​​“The facts presented today over hours of testimony show that we must protect mental health services. These drastic cuts would prevent Mainers with mental illness from getting needed care and push them toward crisis. Providing sufficient services is not only compassionate, it makes economic sense. Severely mentally ill people who cannot access the services they need often wind up in emergency rooms or in jail, much more expensive and traumatic experiences that can be avoided,” said Sen. Linda Valentino, D-Saco, a member of the budget-writing committee.]]>