• Read more about Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee to hold meeting on Long Creek

AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee will hold a virtual meeting tomorrow, Friday, September 24 at 9 a.m. regarding the recent incidents at Long Creek Youth Development Center. Legislators will be joined by Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC) Commissioner Randall Liberty, MDOC Director of Government Affairs Anna Black, Center for Children's Law and Policy Executive Director Mark Soler and Atlee Reilly, managing attorney at Disability Rights Maine.

• Read more about Landry earns Sportsman's Alliance of Maine Presidents Award

AUGUSTA - Rep. Scott Landry, D-Farmington, earned the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine 2021 President's Award for Legislative Service. The award was announced at the organization's annual banquet earlier this month.

• Read more about Rielly receives 2021 State Leadership Award

AUGUSTA - Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, received the 2021 State Leadership Award presented by America's Service Commissions (ASC) Tuesday in recognition of his commitment to public service and volunteerism.

• Read more about Fay named Legislator of the Year by the Maine Council on Aging

AUGUSTA - Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, has been named as the Maine Council on Aging's (MCOA) 2021 "Legislator of the Year." The award recognizes the sustained efforts of legislative leaders who actively champion initiatives to improve the health, safety and economic security of older Mainers.

"I am very honored to receive this award," Fay said. "The Maine Council on Aging is one of the most important advocacy organizations for older Mainers, and their recognition means a lot to me."

• Read more about Meyer named 2021 Legislative Hero by Maine Council on Aging

AUGUSTA - Rep. Michele Meyer, D-Eliot, has been named the 2021 Legislative Hero to Older Mainers by the Maine Council on Aging. The award recognizes lawmakers who have led efforts to benefit the state's older residents.

• Read more about Berry issues statement on CMP appointment of Joseph Purington as president and CEO

AUGUSTA - Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, House chair of the Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, issued the following statement in response to Central Maine Power's announcement that Joseph Purington will assume the role of president and CEO of the company:

"I welcome the news and look forward to meeting with Mr. Purington to hear his thoughts on CMP's worst-in-nation customer satisfaction and obstruction of local renewables, as well as Maine's tenth-highest electricity rates, and our most-frequent and second-longest outages in the nation."

• Read more about Hepler presents joint resolution calling on Congress to improve veteran housing

AUGUSTA - Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, presented a joint resolution urging Congress to establish a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) to help veterans access housing to the Council of State Governments East (CSG) on Wednesday.

CSG is the nation's largest nonpartisan organization whose mission is to champion excellence in state government. Hepler introduced the resolution to the Maine Legislature in July where it received unanimous approval. The measure was also supported by the Legislature's Veterans Caucus.

• Read more about Landmark new laws will ease property tax burden, strengthen workforce and more

Just like every other aspect of life, the legislative session that wrapped up a few weeks ago looked quite different from usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of our committee meetings were held via Zoom, and for several months, the full Legislature convened at the Augusta Civic Center instead of the State House to allow for social distancing. Despite the challenges, my colleagues and I passed several landmark measures that will make a real difference for communities and families across the state.

• Read more about Bryant named to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles' Registration Plate Working Group

AUGUSTA - Rep. Mark Bryant, D-Windham, has been appointed to the Registration Plate Working Group for the Department of the Secretary of States' Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

"I have been a member of the Legislature's Transportation Committee for seven years," said Bryant. "I look forward to using all I have learned to help improve our state's vehicle registration plate system, particularly by streamlining the process so that it is less burdensome for municipalities and residents."

• Read more about Maine lawmakers send FCC letter urging support for Maine's position defending law to curb unfair cable billing practices

AUGUSTA - A bipartisan group of 50 Maine lawmakers has written to the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) urging commissioners to actively support Maine's efforts to defend in court a state law requiring cable providers to pro-rate charges when a customer disconnects service.

The commonsense consumer protection measure is being challenged in federal court by cable conglomerate Charter-Spectrum, known in Maine as Spectrum, and is now pending before the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.