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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

AUGUSTA - The Legislative Council voted Thursday to send two bills sponsored by Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, to the Legislature for consideration. The bills, one concerning utility shutoffs at public safety facilities and the other concerning wage increases for intensive case managers, will be heard during the upcoming session in January.