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July 9, 2009
AUGUSTA – Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree recently appointed local state representatives to standing committees for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and Council of State Governments (CSG) based on their areas of interest and past experiences.
Rep. Paulette Beaudoin, D-Biddeford, who currently serves on the Maine Legislature’s Insurance and Financial Affairs Committee, was appointed to NCSL’s Committee on Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce.
“One of the most important issues we are working on at the state level, as well as at the national level, is how to make health insurance more affordable and more accessible,” said Beaudoin. “Maine has a lot to offer to other states, and I look forward to learning about what other states are doing.”
Rep. George Hogan, D-Old Orchard Beach, who is serving his third term on the Maine Legislature’s Transportation Committee, was appointed to the NCSL Standing Committee on Transportation.
“It will be interesting and informative to talk with other legislators about how recovery funds and budget shortfalls have impacted road conditions in different parts of the country,” said Hogan. “Maine’s transportation budget will remain a contentious issue, and I hope that brainstorming with some other representatives might help us think in a new direction.”
Rep. Alan Casavant, D-Biddeford, a teacher and member of the Maine Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, was appointed to the NCSL Standing Committee on Education.
Rep. Steve Beaudette, D-Biddeford, House chair of the Maine Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee, was appointed to the NCSL standing committees on Budgets and Revenue and Legislative Effectiveness.
Rep. Linda Valentino, D-Saco, and Rep. Don Pilon, D-Saco, members of the Maine Legislature’s Taxation Committee, were both appointed to the NCSL Standing Committee on Budgets and Revenue. Valentino, who has served on the state committees on Legal and Veteran’s Affairs as well as Appropriations and Financial Affairs, was also appointed to the NCSL Law and Criminal Justice Committee and the Standing Committee on Legislative Effectiveness.
Pilon, a third-term legislator who has served on Maine’s Ethics Committee, as well as Insurance and Financial Services, was additionally appointed to the Council of State Government’s Committee on Suggested State Legislation.
As members of their respective committees, each representative will have opportunities to attend meetings and conferences, and meet with other legislators from other parts of the country.
Contact:
Rep. Steve Beaudette, 283-4086
Rep. Paulette Beaudoin, 284-6324
Rep. Alan Casavant, 284-4690
Rep. George Hogan, 934-4292
Rep. Don Pilon, 284-8161
Rep. Linda Valentino, 282-5227
Kyle Leighton, Communications Director, 287-1433