JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE

APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

Wednesday, October 17, 2007 and

Room 228 State House

AGENDA – Wednesday, October 17, 2007

9:00 a.m.	Wednesday, October 17th
I.	*Chairs “Call-To-Order” and Member Introductions*

*II.*	*General Fund Revenue Report – September 2007 Revenue*
	- Michael Allen, Dir., Div. of Econometric Research, Maine Revenue Services - DAFS

*III.*	*Economic Forecast Update*
	- Chuck Lawton, Member, Consensus Economic Forecasting Commission

*IV.*	*Update on School Reorganization*
	- Susan Gendron, Commissioner, Education

V.	*Transportation Funding Working Team – Discussion of Legislative Council Memo*

	LUNCH BREAK

1:00 p.m.	Wednesday, October 17th
*VI.*	*“The Initiative” to Streamline State Government*
	a. Department of Education Items – Tier 1 and 2 Proposals
	b. Judicial Department Items – Tier 1 and 2 Proposals
	c. Department of Labor Items – Tier 1 and 2 Proposals
	d. Dept. of Administrative and Financial Services Items – Tier 1 and 2 Proposals

9:00 a.m.	Thursday, October 18^th
I.	*Chairs “Call-To-Order” and Member Introductions*

*II.*	*R&D Bond Update – Progress on Competitive Award Criteria*
	- Betsy Biemann, Director, Maine Technology Institute

*III.*	*DHHS Issues –MaineCare, SCHIP Update and Other DHHS Updates*
	- Brenda Harvey, Commissioner, DHHS

*IV.*	*“The Initiative” to Streamline State Government*
	a. Review of DHHS Tier 1 and 2 Proposals

	LUNCH BREAK

1:00 p.m.	Thursday, October 18th
V.	*“The Initiative” to Streamline State Government (continued)*
	a. Constitutional Offices Service Center Proposal
	b. Dept. of Administrative and Financial Services Items (continued)

*VI.*	*Update on OPEGA’s Review: State Administration – Staffing and Contract Services*
	- Beth Ashcroft, Director, OPEGA

*VII.*	*“The Initiative” to Streamline State Government (continued)*
	a. Natural Resource Agencies (including State Planning Office) - Tier 1 and 2 Items
	b. All Other Agencies, New Public Savings Ideas and Administration’s “Possible Savings List”