Being a new legislator has its challenges, big and small. In
some ways it is like any new job—finding the locker room and mail cubby, putting
names to lots of new faces and learning the culture of the State House. Processing the incoming
information—conversations with constituents (on the phone, via email, in the
vegetable department at the grocery), mail from organizations as varied as the
Potato Council and Planned Parenthood and an alphabet of others such as FAME,
MECASA, MADA, BioME, NRCM; and orientation and training sessions at the State
House—has been described as taking a sip from a fire hose.
Attending the inauguration and of Janet Mills, the first woman
to govern Maine, was certainly a highlight of my new position. Legislators were also invited to the inaugural party--where our own Noel Paul Stookey entertained us!
 |
| Bates Mill Microbrewery |
We have been given our committee assignments, and I am
pleased to be on the State and Local Government Committee. This committee handles state contracts and
fiscal procedures; state government organization; oversight of state officials,
employees and property; administrative procedures; boards and commissions;
notaries public; capitol area; county and regional government; county budget
process; Legislature; municipal government; and public services.
 |
| The oat huller at Maine Grains |
With Rep. Genevieve McDonald (D-Stonington) and Sherm
Hutchins (R-Penobscot) serving on the Marine Resources Committee, Rep. Nicole
Grohoski (D-Ellsworth) on the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, Sen.
Louie Luchini (D-Ellsworth) chairing the Committee on Veterans and Legal
Affairs and on Island Fisheries and Wildlife, and Sen. Kimberly Rosen
(R-Bucksport) on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Hancock County has some
broad coverage.
 |
| Sappi, the "real" mill on our tour |
Before settling into committee work, I took advantage of
the Policy Leaders Academy three-day bus tour of Western Maine. The tour,
sponsored by the Maine Community Foundation, took us to Lewiston, Auburn,
Farmington, and Skowhegan, with educational programs and visits ranging from
the Somali community, Central Maine’s Community College, rural healthcare
challenges, bottling plants, mills (pulp, grist, and retail), and the
University of Maine—Farmington.
The trip was eyeopening in so many ways. We met a number of strong, passionate women making real changes in their communities including Julia Sleeper at Tree Street Youth, and Amber Lambke at Maine Grains. Let's support talented women working to improve the lives of so many in Maine.
Maine weather comes into play in Augusta as much if not more than in Blue Hill.
 |
| Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, de-icing after the bus trip. |
After spending months speaking with so many of you about
your concerns and priorities for my focus, I’m encouraged to see the State
House leadership take steps that reflect them and to hear Gov. Mills list them
as top concerns in her inaugural speech. The Labor, Commerce, Research and
Economic Development Committee will become two separate committees: theInnovation, Development and Economic Advancement and Commerce (IDEA) Committee
and the Labor and Housing Committee. The Insurance and Financial Services Committee (IFS) will add to its workload and now be named the Health Coverage,Insurance and Financial Services Committee (HCIFS). On her first day on the
job, Gov. Mills signed an executive order to expand Medicaid, so that more than
70,000 Mainers will be eligible for MaineCare health insurance.
You can follow the legislative process, online at http://legislature.maine.gov
or in local newspapers or radio, but if you would like to get move involved or
if you have questions or concerns, contact me at Sarah.Pebworth@legislature.maine.gov.
 |
| Add caption |
Onward!
