OPINION | ‘My experience and hard work gets results’

Democrat Henry Ingwersen of Arundel is hoping for a third consecutive term in the Maine State Senate and makes his case for why Biddeford voters should send him back to Augusta

By STATE SEN. HENRY INGWERSEN | Senate District 32

Serving as your State Senator is an honor I take seriously. For me, it is more than full-time and requires my skills of listening, compromise, and perseverance honed through my long career as a teacher and legislator. Over the last few years, I have gotten results that address the concerns I’m hearing from constituents, but I know so much more needs to be done.

**HENRY INGWERSEN** | *Contributed photo*

Chief among these concerns is the everyday cost of living. Knowing that strong communities are only possible when people can afford to get by, I worked with my fellow legislators to lower everyday costs, from healthcare to childcare to education.

Serving as Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee is a big responsibility, and I’m proud to say that my committee colleagues – Democrats and Republicans, Senators and Representatives, voted unanimously on more than 75 percent of the bills that came before us.

In my other committee, Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, we voted unanimously on more than 80 percent of the bills. These high percentages reflect my commitment to doing good, bipartisan work on behalf of my constituents.

So, what did we accomplish?

In healthcare, we funded our nursing homes, fully funded MaineCare, and expanded access to dental care and mental health care. We helped lower healthcare costs by banning medical debt collectors from charging interest, taking wages or placing a lien on a home. We’ve invested $5 million in funding for Maine’s family planning network and expanded access to affordable prescription drugs.

To make childcare more affordable for working Maine families and to support childcare providers, I sponsored a new law that lowers co-pays for families participating in the Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP), while ensuring providers are reimbursed fairly when families use the program. I also co-sponsored a law that further invests in CCAP, moving hundreds of families off the waitlist and expanding access to childcare.

Families have told me that this has helped all parents in their household stay at work, and providers in the district have told me that these bills have helped keep their businesses staffed and the doors open.

“I’m proud to say that my
committee colleagues –
Democrats and Republicans,
senators and representatives,
voted unanimously on
more than 75 percent
of the bills that came before us“

As a career teacher, I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished for schools over the last few years. The state reached 55 percent funding for the first time for public schools and maintained that commitment. We’ve also increased revenue sharing to municipalities from two percent to five percent. These two measures alone prevented property taxes from increasing more than they already have.

And this year we rewrote the school funding formula to direct more resources to school districts for disadvantaged students. This will result in a huge windfall for the Biddeford Schools starting in 2027.

To help make the teaching profession more affordable, we raised starting teacher pay to $50,000 and provided a minimum wage for Ed Techs. To make higher education more affordable, we’ve provided ongoing funding for free community college for any Maine graduate.

As a former teacher, I recognize the importance of reading at grade level for all students.

Three years ago, the state allocated $10 million for teacher training in the science of reading and to develop state of the art reading curriculum.

The teachers who were trained reached thousands of students across the state. But more needs to be done, and I am committed to working with the next governor and education commissioner to make sure that schools, teachers and students have the necessary resources to achieve excellence in reading.

In my two years in the House of Representatives and four years in the Maine Senate, I have experienced public office as a positive force for good on behalf of the families, children, working Mainers, and seniors in our district.

In the face of disastrous federal policies, tariffs, and an endless war, now more than ever Mainers need skilled, experienced leaders who will fight for them. I hope for your vote.

NOTE | The Biddeford Gazette has offered each local legislative candidate the opportunity to submit two columns between now and Election Day, Nov. 3. These will be published in the order they are received.

The views expressed here are solely those of the author 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

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