AUGUSTA - Rep. Michael Brennan, D-Portland, has been appointed to serve on the Homeless Student Workgroup established by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The workgroup provides an opportunity for collaboration among legislators from across the country to develop policies and funding sources to assist students who are homeless.
AUGUSTA - Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell, was one of 50 state legislators chosen nationwide to participate in the 2024 Emerging Legislative Leaders Program, sponsored by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and held at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia from July 8-11.
The attendees were chosen based on their demonstrated leadership qualities, such as integrity, compassion and intelligence. The program is designed to inspire participants to continue their careers in public service while bolstering their leadership skills.
AUGUSTA - On June 26, state and federal officials recognized Leanne Robbin, the longest-serving member of the Maine Attorney General's staff, who received a statewide award from the Maine Prosecutors Association. Robbin has served as an assistant attorney general for 42 years.
AUGUSTA - The Maine AFL-CIO has honored Rep. Matthew Beck, D-South Portland, with the Edie Beaulieu Award for Outstanding Service to Maine Workers.
"I'm proud to receive this recognition from Maine's labor unions," said Beck. "I look forward to working with my legislative colleagues to continue to make things better for working people and their families across our state."
AUGUSTA - Rep. Lydia Crafts, D-Newcastle, received the 2024 National Social Worker of the Year award from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) on June 20 in Washington, D.C. Crafts was recognized for her outstanding dedication to social justice, innovative legislative initiatives and unwavering commitment to the health and welfare of Maine's most vulnerable populations. She had previously been named the Maine Social Worker of the Year by the organizations state chapter.
AUGUSTA - In May, the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) published its proposed rules for the state's new paid family and medical leave (PFML) program, which was created in 2023 as part of the supplemental budget enacted by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Janet Mills.
HALLOWELL - Today, Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth, and Rep. Dan Shagoury, D-Hallowell, presented a joint resolution raising awareness about mental health to Executive Director Jennifer Thompson and Hannah Longley of NAMI Maine and Executive Director Adam Bloom-Paicopolos of the Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services.
Graham and Shagoury both serve as members of the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.
AUGUSTA - This week, Gov. Janet Mills signed a proclamation recognizing Gen. William Whipple, who was born in Kittery, for his efforts and contributions to the founding of the United States. Whipple was the only native Mainer to sign the Declaration of Independence.
OLD ORCHARD BEACH - Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco, and Reps. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, and Lynn Copeland, D-Saco, joined local and state officials on Friday at the Old Orchard Beach Fire Station to discuss storm recovery and resiliency efforts in York County.
The meeting was organized by the newly formed Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission, which was created by Gov. Janet Mills to evaluate Maine's response to recent storms and identify ways to prepare for future extreme weather events.
AUGUSTA - State lawmakers including Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, and Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, joined Maine Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and Friends of EMS for Maine for the annual Maine EMS Week Celebration and Remembrance Ceremony at the State House on Thursday.
