AUGUSTA — Some veteran York County legislators and some freshmen lawmakers have been tapped to chair joint committees and the government oversight committee of the 126th Legislature.
Committee assignments were handed up last week, and of the 17 committees, five are chaired by members of the York County delegation.
As well, the county’s delegation has representation on all but two committees: Education and Cultural Affairs and Health and Human Services.
Dawn Hill, D-York, has been selected as the Senate chair of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. Among other York County members are Rep. Megan Rochelo, D-Biddeford, and Rep. Kathy Chase, R-Wells.
Rochelo, elected to her second term Nov. 6, said it’s a bit too early to talk about specific issues, but said she’s excited to have been selected to the committee that helps shape fiscal policy, even though times are tough ”“ Gov. Paul LePage has just ordered a curtailment of $35.5 million to balance the budget.
“It will be very challenging,” she predicted of her committee assignment.
Rep. Berry Hobbins, D-Saco, is House chair of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, which oversees policy regarding energy resources, efficiency and conservation, natural gas, telecommunications, emergency services, and water and sewer utilities. It is a committee on which he has previously served.
“New and renewable energy sources, the state’s broadband network and hi-tech jobs are vital to the state’s economy, and I look forward to this important appointment and challenge,” he said in a prepared statement.
Longtime legislator John Tuttle, D-Sanford, will also experience a bit of deja vu ”“ he’s been tapped as the Senate chair of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, which he has previously chaired. The committee is responsible for reviewing proposals to the Maine Clean Election Act, Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management Services, Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations, and the Maine National Guard. Previous bills have addressed gambling, campaign practices, governmental ethics, and lobbyist registration.
Linda Valentino, D-Saco, has been named Senate chair the Judiciary Committee, which is responsible for reviewing proposals pertaining to the organization and budget of the judicial system, Attorney General’s office, the District Attorneys’ offices, the Maine Human Rights Commission and the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission.
Freshman Sen. David Dutremble, D-Biddeford, has been named Senate chair of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee.
As well, York County legislators tapped to serve on committees include: Reps. William Noon, D-Sanford, and Donald G. Marean, R-Hollis, Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; Sen. David E. Dutremble, D-Biddeford, Reps. Alan Casavant, D-Biddeford, and Joshua R. Plante, D-Berwick, Criminal Justice and Public Safety; Reps. Roberta B. Beavers, D-South Berwick, Deane Rykerson, D-Kittery, and Aaron Libby, R-Waterboro, Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee; Rep. Paul McGowan, D-York, Environment and Natural Resources; Rep. Paulette Beaudoin, D-Biddeford, Insurance and Financial Services; Sen. John Tuttle, D-Sanford, Judiciary; Reps. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford, and James J. Campbell, I-Newfield, Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development; Reps. Windol Weaver R-York and Wayne R. Parry, R-Arundel, Marine Resources; Sen. Ronald Collins R-Wells, and Reps. Andrea Boland, D-Sanford, Justin Chenette, D-Saco, and Sharri K. MacDonald, R-Old Orchard Beach, State and Local Government; Reps. Paul Edward Bennett, R-Kennebunk, and Donald G. Marean, R-Hollis, Taxation; Sens. Linda Valentino, D-Saco, and Ronald Collins, R-Wells, and Rep. Wayne R. Parry, R-Arundel, Transportation; Rep. Andrea Boland, D-Sanford, Government Oversight; and Rep. Jonathan L. Kinney, R-Limington, Veterans and Legal Affairs.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, Ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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