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July 14, 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. Mike Lajoie, D-Lewiston, who currently serves on the Maine Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, was appointed to NCSL’s Committee on Law and Criminal Justice.
"I am excited and honored to be appointed to this national committee. As a member of Maine’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, my goal is to keep Maine people safe while staying true to our ideals and values,” said Lajoie. “I will bring these goals to the national committee as well.”
Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, who serves on the Maine Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and is the former chair of the state’s budget writing committee, was appointed to the NCSL Standing Committee on Budgets and Revenue and the CSG Eastern Regional Conference Budget Chair and Tax Roundtable Committee.
Rep. Brian Bolduc, D-Auburn, was appointed to the NCSL’s committees on Education and Environment. Bolduc serves on the Maine Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee.
Rep. Dick Wagner, D-Lewiston, a member of the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, was appointed to the NCSL Standing Committee on Education and the CSG’s International Committee.
Rep. Mike Carey, D-Lewiston, was appointed to the NCSL’s committees on Law and Criminal Justice, Legislative Effectiveness, Redistricting and Elections and Transportation. He was also appointed to the CSG Eastern Regional Conference’s Transportation Committee. Carey, a second term legislator, serves on the Maine Legislature’s Transportation Committee.
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.
The NCSL’s stated mission is “to improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures, promote policy innovation and communication among state legislatures, and to ensure state legislatures a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system.” There are 12 NCSL Committees, and committee members develop policy on state-federal issues to guide NCSL's lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C.
The Council of State Governments Eastern Regional Conference includes legislators from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Committees address a wide range of issues facing the Northeast part of the United States.
Contact:
Rep. Michel Lajoie, 783-1927
Rep. Peggy Rotundo, 784-3259
Rep. Dick Wagner, 784-0645
Rep. Mike Carey, 344-3017
Rep. Brian Bolduc, 576-4907
Kyle Leighton, Communications Director, 287-1433