With the start of the new year comes the beginning of the next legislative session in Augusta. My colleagues and I were sworn into office by Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court Leigh Saufley on Dec. 5, and Governor Janet T. Mills was sworn into office Jan. 2 in a joint convention of the Legislature at the Augusta Civic Center.
I have been re-appointed by the Speaker to a third term as House Chair of the Transportation Committee. Our transportation network of roads, bridges, airports, rail lines, seaports and bike and pedestrian facilities is critical to the success of our economy. The Transportation Committee also oversees policy concerning the Department of Transportation, the Maine Turnpike Authority and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. I am thankful for the opportunity to continue working on policy that is vital to our state.
Representatives and senators across the state will introduce legislation for consideration during this session, which is set to end in mid- June. We will also begin the process of crafting and passing a balanced, bipartisan two-year budget to fund state government operations.
After many years of good public policy being stymied by political intransigence, this new legislature, and the new governor, will work in tandem on the many important issues facing our state. I intend to closely follow legislative efforts to address the opioid crisis facing the state. In 2017, a task force was created to bring lawmakers, law enforcement, health professionals and others together to bring recommendations to the Legislature. While some of those recommendations have become law, there is still work to be done.
Other issues the legislature will get right to work on are refinements to our K-12 education system, investments in higher education, as well as finally implementing healthcare expansion, which voters approved two years ago, and will provide access to care for thousands of low-income Mainers.
Lastly, sustainable energy will also be a top priority. For too many years, projects that create jobs and clean our air and water have been needlessly driven away. That changes this year when we begin to address the changing needs of our energy system and our environment. This list is not exhaustive, and only includes but a few of the many important issues we will face in the coming months.
If you have interest in testifying on specific bills, you may do so in person or by submitting written testimony. If you have any questions on how to do this, please feel welcome to reach out to me. It is important to the work we do in Augusta to hear from members of our community as we consider the impact of new or changing policies.
As the new legislative session begins, hearing your thoughts is crucial to what we do at the State House. As always, please feel free to contact me with your questions and concerns. I also send out periodic e-mail updates throughout the session. If you would like to receive these updates, please send me an email to let me know.
Rep. Andrew McLean, D-Gorham, is serving his fourth term in the Maine House. He is House Chair of the Transportation Committee and represents parts of both Gorham and Scarborough.
(207) 939-8482 | (800) 423-2900 | andrew.mclean@legislature.maine.gov