Readers cite the candidate’s experience and proven track record as reasons why he should be reelected in Maine Senate District 32
Henry Ingwersen has earned our support
Editor:
We are happy to endorse Henry Ingwersen for reelection to the Maine State Senate (District 32 – Biddeford, Arundel, Lyman, Dayton, Hollis). We have known Henry for many years; he’s intelligent, honest, hard-working, and genuinely committed to improving the lives of all Mainers.
After 20 years as a public school teacher, Henry embarked on a different form of public service: first with one term in the Maine House and now completing his second term in the State Senate. In these capacities he has worked tirelessly to safeguard the health, safety and quality of life of the people of this state, and to protect the environment we live in.
To cite just a few examples:
He co-sponsored LD 1955, a bill to make childcare more accessible and affordable for low-income families.
He voted against LD 208, a bill that would have ended the 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases in the state.
He co-sponsored LD 130 (now law) to increase funding to address PFAS (“forever chemicals”) contamination. As a farmer and beekeeper in his “spare” time, it makes sense that Henry would be a strong champion for our environment.
He shares our belief and conviction that everyone should have access to fresh, healthy food; that in a nation that enjoys great abundance, no person should go hungry. To this end, Henry sponsored two bills, LD 468 and LD 2004, that address food insecurity in Maine, in order to protect vital food security programs that have been affected by deep cuts at the federal level.
Henry earned scores/ratings of 100 percent from Maine Women’s Lobby, 97 percent from Maine Conservation Voters, 100 percent from Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund, and 100percent from AFL-CIO.
He has also earned our enthusiastic and unequivocal endorsement! We hope you will join us in voting to re-elect Henry Ingwersen to the Maine State Senate.
Holly Culloton and John Collins, Biddeford
We need someone with a proven track record
Editor:
I am writing in support of Henry Ingwersen for Maine State Senate District 32. I have worked in Maine’s childcare industry for 26 years. Over those years, I have seen the system become increasingly broken. Make no mistake, the childcare industry is in crisis.
The number one issue with childcare is affordability. A two-parent working family pays up to 10 percent of their income for childcare. A single working parent (most of whom are women) will pay up to 1/3 of their income for childcare. Families are forced to make difficult decisions that don’t work for them or their children.
The second issue is that families cannot find quality childcare. Maine lost 49 childcare facilities last year.
This shortfall has economic costs for the state of Maine. It is estimated that this shortfall cost the state $403 million dollars in lost earnings, productivity, and tax revenue. Add to this the reduction in the quality of life for the families who suddenly find themselves without childcare. The lack of childcare pushes low-income families into poverty and middle-income families into the low-income bracket.
I can’t, in good conscience, not mention the fact that childcare workers are underpaid. The average hourly rate for a childcare worker in Maine is $15.47. These are the people caring for and educating our youngest Mainers! My daughter made more per hour putting bagels together at a local shop. This is why it is extremely difficult to find staff and why many programs are experiencing staffing shortages.
Staffing shortages, in turn, lead to existing employees working harder than ever and experiencing burnout. Burnout leads to quitting, and now the staffing shortage is worse.
Parents, children, and childcare staff need help. We need someone fighting to save us from the dire situation we are in. Henry Ingwersen is that person.
For more than five years, Henry has worked tirelessly to help improve the lives of children and their families in Maine. His focus has been on stabilizing the childcare workforce and making childcare more affordable for families.
Henry successfully sponsored bill LD 1728 to lower the payment cap for families receiving childcare subsidies from 10 to 7 percent, thereby providing financial relief to families. He authored and secured unanimous Senate approval to establish regional resource hubs (LD 1859) whose purpose is to connect families, childcare providers, and local employers.
Working with the senate president, Henry Ingwersen completely cleared the wait list for families on childcare assistance.
We need someone with a proven track record. Now is not the time to take a risk by electing an inexperienced State Senator. Henry has shown that he is willing to work for the people of Maine on the childcare issue and many other issues, such as expanding mental health resources for farmers, fishermen, and loggers, lowering prescription drug prices, stabilizing low-income families’ access to health care, and taking action to end PFAS contamination.
I know that Henry Ingwersen is excited and ready to continue to work for the people of Maine. We must re-elect Henry Ingwersen as Maine State Senator representing District 32.
With hope,
Beth Gachowski, Arundel
The views expressed here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Biddeford Gazette, its staff, affiliates or sponsors. We encourage robust and diverse community conversations on topics related to the city of Biddeford. To submit your own letter or column, please CONTACT US
