About
Chris Barstow
Chris Barstow, a native of Gorham, has always found it important
to be involved in his community. It is this commitment that drives
him as he serves in his third term as State Representative of
his hometown.
Gorham has served as his family’s base for several generations,
giving Chris a broad perspective on the town’s past and
present. He grew up in the Little Falls section of town, the
oldest of three children, and attended Gorham schools for all
of his years of primary education. During his years at Gorham
High School, he was active in many extra-curricular activities,
including the Student Council and basketball team. Chris also
played saxophone in the school’s concert band and jazz
band.
After graduating from G.H.S. in 1995, Chris chose to attend
the University of Maine, where he studied elementary education.
While at the university he was extremely involved in the school’s
student government, serving on both the Student Senate and the
Legislative Relations Committee. He also served as president
of the Off Campus Board, an organization that helped to oversee
activities for the very large off-campus student population.
Through these organizations Chris was able to improve the university’s
well-being while also learning the inner workings of state government
through legislative advocacy.
After college Chris decided to move back his hometown, in order
to reconnect with his community. He has been able to contribute
through many different groups and organizations since his return.
Chris has served as the president of the Gorham Youth Baseball/Softball
Commission, which works with youth ages 9-18. He has also been
involved as an umpire and coach for numerous years. In the winter,
he volunteers as a referee in the Gorham Recreation Department
fifth and sixth grade basketball league. Through these athletic
programs, Chris has been able to act as both teacher and mentor
to our community’s youth.
Chris is also involved in Gorham's local government as a member
of two municipal organizations – the Baxter Memorial Library
Board of Trustees and the Recreation Advisory Board. He has also
served as a member of the Parks and Conservation Commission.
He attends and is moderator of the Little Falls Baptist Church.
In 2002, Chris won his first election and began his service
in the 121st Legislature. While in the Legislature, his work
has included serving as House Chairman of the Maine Intergovernmental
Advisory Group, as a member of the Joint Select Committee on
Regionalization & Community Cooperation, and as a member
of the Commission on Performance Budgeting.
Chris has also served as a member, and currently is House Chairman
of the Joint Standing Committee on State & Local Government.
Rep. Barstow resides in Gorham with his wife Rebecca and three
children Alexa, Jacob and Elizabeth.
News
View
all news from Rep. Barstow or Search
all news items from the House Majority Office
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Committees
Rep. Barstow serves as House chair of the State
and Local Government Committee.
For more information about the schedule of committee hearings or to sign up for
advance notice of public hearings click
here .
Issues
I join my colleagues in the effort to make health care more
affordable for all Maine citizens and I believe that access to
affordable, quality health care should be a right, not a privilege,
for all Maine citizens. I continue to support theDirigo Health
plan and will work hard to ensure that this program succeeds.
I support higher education, including the new Maine Community
College System and K-12 education, which I firmly believe should
be funded at 55 percent. I further support programs that encourage
recruiting and retaining quality teachers in our state.
I believe that we can attain greater government efficiency by
looking at reforms to county government while promoting the means
to regionalize all levels of government in Maine.
You can learn more about what the House Democrats are doing
for Maine by clicking
here. And I'd like to hear what you think -- please Contact
Me.
Legislation
I worked hard this session to find ways to facilitate and encourage
government reform at the state and local level. I am happy that
we are now studying ways that county government can be reformed
and improved. It is my hope that greater efficiency can be derived
from this level of government.
Click on the buttons below to see all bills and joint resolutions
and orders I sponsored or cosponsored this session, as well as
legislative sentiments that honor and recognize people from our
district and throughout the state.
To do a general bill search, click
here.
Contact Me
Thank you for taking time to contact me. You may use
the online Contact
Form to reach me or e-mail me directly at crbarstow@gmail.com.
You can also contact me at my home:
9 Lawn Avenue
Gorham, ME 04038
Home tel: (207) 839-2095
When the Legislature is in session, you can leave
a message for me by calling the State House Message
Phone: (800) 423-2900 or the State House TTY Line:
(207) 287-4469.
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