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News from the State House: Fighting for our Coastal Communities

By Rep. Holly Eaton, D-Deer Isle

Rep. Holly Eaton

On Dec. 4, I was sworn into office as your state representative, and I could not be more honored to continue to serve you and the people of Brooklin, Deer Isle, Frenchboro, Southwest Harbor, Stonington, Swan’s Island, Tremont, Isle au Haut and Vinalhaven

Our work over the coming months will include considering over 2,000 bills submitted by members of the Legislature from across Maine. We will also be working towards crafting and passing a balanced, bipartisan two-year state budget. I am committed to ensuring that the budget includes policies that will provide cost-of-living relief and make it easier for more Maine families to build their lives here and make ends meet. Some of my other goals for the budget include funding the recommendations from the Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission, which was formed following the 2023-24 winter storms to improve disaster response and strengthen resilience moving forward. 

I am pleased to share that I continue to serve on the Marine Resources Committee, where we will work to develop legislation to strengthen our fishing industries, promote marine conservation, protect shoreline access and invest in our coastal economy. Protecting and supporting Maine’s marine resources remains a top priority of mine in the Legislature. It’s not only important for our state’s economy—the working waterfront is a way of life for those of us who live in coastal communities.

To that end, I’ve submitted several bills that I’ve worked on with constituents that support our fisheries and aquaculture industry. One bill seeks to support Maine’s emerging Atlantic sea scallop farmers by addressing the high cost and logistical barriers of biotoxin testing. Currently, scallop growers bear the full cost of testing while other farmed shellfish, such as oysters, mussels and clams, have their testing costs covered by the Department of Marine Resources. In talking with constituents and stakeholders, equalizing testing costs for scallops and other farmed shellfish will remove a pivotal barrier, allowing the industry to expand sustainably.

I’ve also been reappointed to the Transportation Committee. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support our island communities and push back against harmful changes to the State Ferry Service. 

Additionally, I am working with a group of lawmakers who represent island communities on my bill to establish more direct oversight of the Maine State Ferry Service. I cannot count the number of conversations I had last fall about unreliable ferry schedules with Vinalhaven, Swan’s Island and Frenchboro residents. As one resident told me, “the ferry is our bridge.” Our group is also working on a number of other proposals regarding the Ferry Service, including a workforce development scholarship program, improvements to the Maine State Ferry Advisory Board and halting proposed changes to the locations where ferry vessels dock at night, to name just a few. More information to come, as bills are still being drafted!

As the new legislative session begins, hearing your thoughts on these and other issues is crucial to inform my work at the State House. As always, please feel free to contact me with your questions and concerns. I also send out periodic e-mail updates throughout the session. If you would like to receive these updates, let me know by e-mailing me at holly.eaton@legislature.maine.gov.

Rep. Holly Eaton is serving her second term in the Maine House. She serves as a member of both the Marine Resources Committee and the Transportation Committee, and represents the communities of Brooklin, Deer Isle, Eagle Island Township, Frenchboro, Southwest Harbor, Stonington, Swan’s Island, Tremont, Isle au Haut and Vinalhaven.