AUGUSTA - Rep. Crafts, D-Newcastle, will serve as House Chair of the Legislature's Transportation Committee in the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature after being appointed to the committee by Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland.

AUGUSTA - Rep. David Sinclair, D-Bath, was sworn into the Maine House of Representatives on Thursday by Gov. Janet Mills after winning a special election on Nov. 7, 2023. Sinclair now serves House District 50, the seat previously held by Rep. Sean Paulhus, who resigned in July after he was appointed by Gov. Mills to become the Sagadahoc County Register of Probate.

AUGUSTA - On Thursday, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court heard oral arguments regarding a challenge to a 2021 law that removed the statute of limitations for civil claims of child sex abuse.

Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, who sponsored the bill that created the law, released the following statement:

AUGUSTA - Rep. Ambureen Rana, D-Bangor, was selected as a 2023 recipient of the 20 Under 40 Leadership Award from the Council of State Governments (CSG) and will receive the award this December in Raleigh, North Carolina.

AUGUSTA - A new law sponsored by Rep. Kristi Mathieson, D-Kittery, that removes financial barriers to diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations by eliminating cost-sharing requirements, is now in effect.

The law went into effect on Oct. 25, 90 days following the end of the legislative session, which is standard for non-emergency legislation.

AUGUSTA - Following the announcement of the passing of the Honorable Lois Galgay Reckitt, Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, House Majority Leader Mo Terry, D-Gorham, and Assistant Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, released the following statements.

Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross issued the following statement:

AUGUSTA - Today, Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, was announced as one of 20 finalists in NewDEAL's 2023 National Ideas Challenge, a nationwide competition recognizing state and local leaders who have advocated for policy ideas that improve American's well-being and overall quality of life. Cloutier is a finalist in the Creating Economic Opportunities and Lowering Costs for Families policy category for her work this year to implement a statewide paid family and medical leave program in Maine.

LEWISTON - In response to a mass casualty event that took place across several locations in Lewiston, Assistant House Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier of Lewiston, Senator Peggy Rotundo of Lewiston and members of Lewiston's legislative delegation released the following statements:

Assistant House Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier:

AUGUSTA - Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, was recognized recently as Citizen of the Year by the Boothbay Region Chamber of Commerce. The chamber recognized Stover for her unparalleled commitment to the values of community citizenship and for serving as an example to all.

"I was born and raised in Boothbay, and there is no greater compliment than my peers' recognition and appreciation," said Stover. "It is a great privilege to work on issues and initiatives that positively impact my community, and I look forward to continuing my work."

AUGUSTA - Last week, The Maine Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) recognized Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, as Maine's Social Worker of the Year. Crafts was presented with the award at the NASW Maine 2023 Conference in Rockport, where she also gave the keynote address.

"Social workers improve quality of life for individuals and communities and are essential to improving the overall health of our state," said Crafts. "I am humbled by this recognition and honored that I get to work with social workers and advocates across the state."