AUGUSTA — The Maine State Legislature unanimously approved a pair of joint resolutions this week from Senator David Miramant, D-Camden. 

SNAP Program

The Legislature unanimously approved a joint resolution from Sen. Miramant calling on the United States Department of Agriculture to expand benefits in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

SP 312, “Joint Resolution Memorializing the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service to Include Certain Nonfood Essentials in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,” was presented Wendesday by Sen. Miramant in front of the full Senate Chamber. 

“The SNAP program is a vital lifeline for many Mainers. It provides them with access to healthy foods and gives them the opportunity to stay on their feet,” said Sen. Miramant. “However, the SNAP program currently fails to account for other important life essentials such as toilet paper, soap, deodorant, toothpaste and menstrual products. Without access to these nonfood essentials, people cannot equitably participate in work, the search for employment, or many other activities without the risk of embarrassment. People without access to nonfood essentials, especially menstrual products and toilet paper, may be forced to use inappropriate or unsafe alternatives. It’s time for this program to recognize the importance of these nonfood essentials.”

The joint resolution calls on the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service to allow nutrition benefits to include non-food essentials, including toilet paper, soap, deodorant, toothpaste and menstrual products. Currently, SNAP provides benefits to supplement the food budget of qualifying recipients so they can purchase healthy food.

National Infrastructure Bank

The Legislature unanimously approved a joint resolution from Sen. Miramant calling on the United States Congress to develop and fund a National Infrastructure Bank. 

SP 297, "Joint Resolution Memorializing The President Of The United States And The United States Congress To Establish A National Infrastructure Bank," was presented by Sen. Miramant in front of the full Senate Chamber on Wednesday.

“Here in Maine much of our infrastructure is in disrepair,” said Sen. Miramant. “A National Infrastructure Bank that invested in our roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects would generate new, good-paying jobs and bring money back into our economy.”

SP 297 calls on the United States Congress to fund a National Infrastructure Bank by using secure, existing United States Treasury debt.

The National Infrastructure Bank would be authorized to spend $4 trillion in urgently needed infrastructure projects, such as roads, dams and transit.

The proposed bank could generate approximately 25 million new jobs.