Committee debates LD 680 to fund wraparound services at Maine community colleges; motion filed to recommend 'ought not to pass'

The Education and Cultural Affairs Committee spent its Dec. work session reviewing LD 680, a bill that would provide ongoing state funds to Maine Community College campuses to support wraparound services for students.

Committee analyst Steve Langland told members the proposal directs funds toward "wraparound services for students, such as mental health counseling, tutoring, and advising," and listed proposed ongoing amounts of $6,000,000 and $6,300,000. The analyst said the public hearing had highlighted an increased need for such services on community college campuses.

Representative Sheila Lyman moved that LD 680 "ought not to pass," and Representative Bagshaw seconded the motion. Chair Joe Rafferty acknowledged the motion and the second; the committee did not record a vote during the session.

Members focused much of the discussion on the bill's language and scope, particularly the meaning of the phrase "credential of value." Sen. James Libby asked whether the bill defines that phrase; the analyst said it does not. President Daigler, who was asked to step forward by members, said the term is commonly used in current workforce-education discussions and referenced Educate Maine's push toward a 60% credential goal. "A credential value is the common term used these days," Daigler said, and added that the resources in the bill are aimed at degree and certificate completion programs "like plumbing, electrical, and so on." Daigler said he would be open to language changes to make that focus clearer.

Representative Holly Taylor Sargent urged that supports not be limited only to degree programs, saying community colleges have expanded occupational and trade programs and that wraparound services are important across that range of offerings. "These kinds of wraparound services are particularly useful" for students returning to or new to postsecondary programs after pandemic-related disruptions, she said.

Sargent and other members pressed for clarity on whether funding would be restricted to certain types of credentials or be broadly available to students across programs. Daigler told the committee that "81% of our matriculated enrollment is in those occupational ... kinds of programs," and stressed the pandemic's ongoing effects on students' need for support.

Representative Kelly Murphy said the committee should not vote on bills individually at that time. "We have 5 analyses to get from our analysts before we would caucus," Murphy said, and asked that members wait to receive those reports and caucus once before casting votes.

The committee heard the analyst's overview, received clarification from President Daigler, recorded a motion to recommend "ought not to pass," and did not take a final vote on LD 680 during this session. The item was left for further consideration after members receive additional analyses and caucus.