News from Senator Libby Mitchell-District 24

Maine Senate Confirms Nominees

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:18:47 EDT

President Elizabeth H. Mitchell Maine Senate 2 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333

For Immediate Release: August 24, 2009 Contact: David Loughran, 287-1500

The Maine Senate met today and confirmed the 34 nominations made by Governor John E. Baldacci to the Judiciary and various state boards and commissions. The nominations included: a new Associate Justice of...

Judiciary Committee Asked to Review New Law

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:14:15 EDT

President Elizabeth H. Mitchell Maine Senate 3 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333

Senate President Libby Mitchell and House Speaker Hannah Pingree are asking the Legislature�s Judiciary Committee to meet and review questions that have been raised about a law that is set to take effect in September: LD 1183, �An Act to Prevent Predatory Marketing Practices against Minors Rega...

Senate President Urges Fairpoint to Seek Independent Audit

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:05:36 EDT

Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell released the following statement on the Public Advocate�s July 24, 2009 filing with the Public Utilities Commission which asked that Fairpoint be directed to engage an independent entity with expert knowledge of digital telephone networks and integrated computer systems.

�As Fairpoint continues to struggle to provide consistent, reliable phone and ...

Senate Enacts Budget, Goes to Governor for Signature

Wed, 27 May 2009 15:02:55 EDT

With a strong bipartisan vote, the Maine Senate approved the $5.8 billion spending plan for state government for fiscal years 2010 and 2011. The bill also included appropriations for the remainder of 2009. The 33-2 vote in the Senate represents the highest number of affirmative votes recorded on a roll call vote for a biennial budget in more than 20 years.

The budget includes a $500...

Legislative Panel Approves Biennial Budget

Wed, 27 May 2009 14:59:44 EDT

AUGUSTA� After months of public hearings, work sessions and revenue reforecasting, the Legislature�s Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs unanimously approved a supplemental budget for the remainder of 2009 and the biennial budget for fiscal years 2010 and 2011. The $5.8 billion spending bill meets the state�s Constitutional requirement to balance the budget and does so without rai...

President and Speaker applaud enactment, signing of Marriage Equality Act

Wed, 06 May 2009 14:18:15 EDT

Contact: David Loughran, 287-1500

AUGUSTA� President of the Senate Libby Mitchell and Speaker of the House Hannah Pingree, the lead House co-sponsor of Sen. Damon�s marriage equality legislation, are applauding the final enactment and the signing by the Governor of LD 1020.

�From the beginning, this debate was about the civil rights of Maine people....

Legislature Takes Up Governor�s Change Package

Fri, 01 May 2009 15:19:22 EDT

AUGUSTA� In response to a $569 million downward revision in state revenue, Governor John Baldacci today outlined the details of his change package designed to balance the budgets for fiscal years 2010 and 2011, as well as close a $129 million shortfall for the remainder of fiscal year 2009.

On April 28, 2009 the Maine Revenue Forecasting Committee announced that the global recession...

Text of Kennedec County Senator's Letter to OPEGA

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:42:44 EDT

Dear Sen. Simpson and Rep. Hill:

As Senators of the Kennebec County Delegation, we are requesting that OPEGA conduct a program evaluation of the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and the emergency dispatch services.

In the 122nd session, the Utilities Committee required the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to consolidate PSAP activities into 26 regional centers. The r...

Kennebec County Senators Ask for Review of the Statewide 911 Answering Services

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:38:39 EDT

For Immediate Release

April 28, 2009 Contact: David Loughran, (207) 287-1500

Augusta- Repeated problems with the regional 911 answering centers, known as Public Safety Answering Points or PSAPs, have prompted a bipartisan group of Kennebec Senators including: Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell (Vassalboro), Assistant Senate Majority Leader Lisa Marrache (Waterville) and ...

Senate President Presents Bill to Improve the Customer Service at Maine�s Retirement System

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:53:17 EDT

Contact: David Loughran, (207) 287-1500

Augusta- Citing the often life altering impact of decisions made by Maine�s Public Employee Retirement System, Senate President Libby Mitchell has proposed legislation that will provide public sector retirees with more information, make the process more transparent and create a more effective system of oversight.

The bill, LD 1292 �A...

Legislature Passes Unemployment Benefit Extension

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:30:13 EDT

Contact: David Loughran, (207) 287-1558 (Mitchell, Bartlett), Tim Feeley, (207 287-1300 (Pingree, Kyle Leighton, (207) 287-1433 (Piotti)

Augusta- To help alleviate the financial stress of Maine�s unemployed, the Legislature passed an emergency measure that will extend unemployment benefits by 13 weeks to individuals who have lost their job due to the economic recession. The bill, L...

President to Present Legislation to the Committee on Maine�s Energy Future

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:24:32 EDT

Contact: David Loughran, (207) 287-1558

Augusta- On Wednesday, March 25, 2009 the Legislature�s Joint Select Committee on Maine�s Energy Future will hold public hearings on LD 774 �An Act To Create Jobs and Improve Energy Efficiency through the Transformation of Maine's Housing Stock� and LD 955, �An Act To Transform the Maine Economy and Create Jobs�. Both bills will are sponsored b...

Economic Impact Study on Housing Bill to be Released

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:22:57 EDT

Contact: David Loughran (207) 287-1558

AUGUSTA � On Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 11:30 am the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition will hold a Press Conference regarding the Green Housing Initiative (LD 774). Senate President Mitchell, the initiative�s prime sponsor, will present the results of an economic impact study conducted by Professor Charles S. Colgan of the Maine Center for Bus...

Maine Legislative Leaders meet with President Obama

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:20:12 EDT

Contact: David Loughran, 287-1500 [Mitchell, Bartlett]

AUGUSTA� Maine�s Legislative leaders have concluded a two-day conference in the nation�s capitol with a meeting with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and several of their top officials. The forum was organized by the National Conference of State Legislatures and utilized no state funds.

�President Ob...

President Mitchell to Present Legislation Encouraging Innovative School Construction

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:18:09 EDT

Contact: David Loughran, 287-1558

AUGUSTA-While school districts across Maine are assessing the impact of the federal stimulus money, state lawmakers are looking for ways to help maximize this one time funding to achieve the greatest amount of long term cost savings.

Today, Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell will present LD 810 �An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Is...