As Election Day nears, I’d like to focus the community on the accomplishments of Tim Driscoll, who serves Westbrook as the District 126 representative to Maine’s House.

As a freshman legislator, Tim has listened, learned and has been actively engaged in the legislative process. His common-sense approach serves Westbrook citizens and the State of Maine well. In his freshman term, he has lead a number of successful legislative initiatives that provide real benefits to Maine families. I’d like to mention just a few examples.

As an emergency room nurse, Tim sees first hand the crisis that many Mainers face because of the high cost of health care, especially the cost of prescription medicine. Tim co-sponsored (along with a Republican colleague) a bill allowing safe importation of prescription drugs from Canada. (The bill passed in both the Maine House and Senate and was signed by the governor, only to have the FDA refuse to give Maine a waiver to move forward. Fortunately, Congress has recently loosened restrictions on the ability of U.S. citizens to bring 90-day supplies of prescription medicine into the U.S. from Canada.)

Tim realizes the importance of higher education and understands that the cost of college is rising much faster than inflation. He spearheaded ground-breaking, first -in-the-nation legislation that gives Mainers an up-front income tax deduction for investment in Maine’s 529 College Savings Plan; and the ability to invest in any 529 plan in the nation. Kansas and Pennsylvania have since followed Maine’s lead and other states almost certainly will. This legislation gives Maine families saving for college a much-needed tax break and more diverse investment options.

Finally, Tim’s experience on the Westbrook City Council and as vice chair of the Westbrook School Committee has given him a solid understanding of the challenges facing our city as it strives to provide an environment that encourages economic growth and the creation of new jobs. Tim was the primary sponsor and testifier of LD 2091, “An Act to Make Changes to the Laws Regarding Pine Tree Development Zones.” This legislation provides incentives for new business growth and job development on Sappi property here in Westbrook. Westbrook will reap the benefits for years to come.

Tim Driscoll has done a terrific job in his first term. He knows what Westbrook needs and he knows how to get things done in Augusta. I hope we send him back for a second term.

Drew Gattine

Ward 2 City Councilor

Westbrook