By: Rep. Michel Lajoie, House District 96
I am deeply honored to again serve on behalf of the people of Lewiston as your state representative. Our great community represents the heart of Maine, and each day I travel to Augusta, I am reminded of that.
Although I am excited to serve, we are facing many challenges at the State House.
Maine families are struggling with rising costs across the board – from heating oil and electricity to groceries and housing. This isn't just about numbers; it's about Mainers having to make difficult choices about basic necessities and which bills to pay. As your representative, I'm focusing on practical solutions like expanding property tax relief programs, supporting energy efficiency initiatives and finding ways to make housing more affordable. These aren't partisan issues – they're Maine issues. I’m committed to working with all of my colleagues to solve them.
Connected directly to our economy is the ability for Mainers to obtain jobs that pay them fairly. In turn, our employers deserve employees who are adequately trained for their roles. In Lewiston, we have a real opportunity to grow our economy by continuing to support our pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs. By shoring up our career and technical education programs, we are providing our neighbors – both those newly entering the workforce and hoping to make a change in careers – the opportunity to better provide for their families.
In our community, we have a rich labor history, which is on display at the Maine Museum of Innovation, Learning and Labor (MILL). If you haven’t yet visited the MILL, I encourage you to do so. While our mills have been repurposed, the need for education and training for trade jobs remains high. During the last legislative session, we passed legislation to promote more high-quality careers by increasing apprenticeship programs, including establishing a pilot project to support farm apprenticeships. This year, I will continue supporting programs like this and others that will help to build a strong workforce for our state.
Additionally, I am sponsoring legislation that will help keep Mainers safe. My appointment to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee puts me in a strong position to advocate for this policy priority. While serving on the committee, I will use my 31 years of experience serving in Lewiston’s Fire Department, including 12 of those years as chief, to push for legislation that focuses on improving coordination between state and municipal public safety services and ensuring that we have the resources we need to serve residents effectively.
My commitment to you is simple: I'll be accessible, responsive and transparent. Whether you agree or disagree with my positions, your voice matters to me.
Over the next two years, I look forward to sharing the work I am engaged in at the State House, in addition to providing information on bills that offer helpful information and resources. I will also be attending regular in-person constituent office hours with other members of the Lewiston delegation throughout this legislative session, and I hope that you will be able to attend.
If you have any ideas for legislation, questions or concerns, you can reach me directly at Michel.Lajoie@legislature.maine.gov or call my office at 207-287-1430. I also post regular updates on community resources and legislative activities on my official Facebook page. If you need assistance navigating state services or have ideas to improve our community, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Together, we can work toward a Maine that honors our traditions while building a stronger future for all our residents.