• Read more about Presiding Officers announce initial plan for upcoming session

AUGUSTA - Today, Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, and House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, released a memo outlining the plan for the Maine Legislature to convene in January. The full Legislature will convene in-person at the State House Wednesday, Jan. 5 and Jan. 26 to conduct legislative business.

Presiding Officers plan to release a further session schedule in late January and will continue to evaluate the operations of the legislature on a regular basis.

• Read more about Struggling this holiday season? Know you are not alone.

Last month, I had the privilege to attend a virtual Legislative Breakfast hosted by Maine Health for the York County legislative delegation.

While we knew anecdotally that the pandemic has been adversely impacting our health care system in many ways, we were given data to substantiate that the mental health care crisis, which has existed for years, has been greatly exacerbated by the pandemic and reimbursement rates that have not kept up for decades.

• Read more about My New Year's legislation

I would like to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a very happy and healthy 2022. As we approach the end of what has been another challenging year, this is a suitable time to gaze upon the landscape and prepare for the upcoming new year. Despite the circumstances presented to us as legislators in 2021, we were still able to accomplish many positive milestones for the people of Maine. That said, and projecting forward, there remains much to be done to improve the lives of Maine citizens.

• Read more about Legislators attend summit on Maine's mental health crisis

AUGUSTA - Several members of the Maine Legislature attended a summit Tuesday on the mental health crisis in Maine resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The event took place at the Augusta Civic Center. Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, Sen. Marianne Moore, R-Calais, Rep. Lori Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, and Rep.

• Read more about Bipartisan group of Maine lawmakers urge Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker to terminate NECEC

AUGUSTA - A bipartisan group of 50 Maine lawmakers today sent Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker a letter urging him to respect the vote of Maine people and do everything in his power to terminate the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) project and seek an alternative project from other bids that were received. On November 2, an overwhelming majority of Maine voters approved a referendum that bans construction of a transmission line such as the NECEC in the Upper Kennebec Region in Maine.

• Read more about Legislative Council advances bill to clarify rulemaking parameters for the Office of Marijuana Policy

AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council last week approved a bill from Rep. Lynne Williams, D-Bar Harbor, that would clarify new rulemaking parameters for the Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP) and define the role of the Legislature in the rulemaking process.

• Read more about Two bills sponsored by O'Neil approved by Legislative Council

AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council voted last week to send two bills sponsored by Rep. Maggie O'Neil, D-Saco, to the Legislature for consideration. The bills, one regarding textbook cost assistance for high school students interested in taking college courses and the other regarding consumer protections for sensitive personal information, will be heard during the upcoming session in January.

• Read more about Rep. Fay to hold local office hours

RAYMOND - Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, will hold in-district constituent office hours on Wednesday, December 1 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the Raymond Village Library located at 3 Meadow Road. Those who wish to attend these office hours remotely should email Fay at Rep. Jessica Fay for the Zoom link.

• Read more about Martin applauds passage of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

AUGUSTA - Rep. Roland "Danny" Martin, D-Sinclair, commends federal lawmakers in their work to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) signed into law on Monday.

• Read more about O'Neil honored with Sierra Club Maines 2021 Public Service for the Environment Award

AUGUSTA - Rep. Maggie O'Neil, D-Saco, received Sierra Club Maine's 2021 Public Service for the Environment Award this week in recognition of her legislative leadership and commitment to protecting the environment.