January '09 Newsletter
January 1, 2009 -
Hello District 8,
Welcome to my monthly newsletter! I will publish one once a month to recap highlights, link to things I am working on and give you a sense of what is going on in the Legislature. Please contact me with any questions.
December started with a crash course called Legislative Orientation. I learned about the legislative non-partisan offices, how to draft a bill, the details of the seventeen joint standing committees, budgeting information and, of course, where to park my car. The highlights for me were many but these stand out:
- On December 2nd, the Democrats held their joint caucus meeting. I witnessed many members of my caucus rise and share their support for people running for Maine’s Attorney General. I cast my first votes for the Attorney General and was proud to have Janet Mills from Farmington selected to be the first woman AG.
- I December 3rd, I was sworn into the Maine Legislature. I want thank all of Portland and especially those who helped me on my campaign. Joining me were my parents, my partners parents, and those who ran my campaign Ericka Wainburg, Tony Giampetruzzi, Jack Woods, Andrew Bossie and Hadley Schmoyer.
I attended a great legislative policy forum put on by the Maine Development Foundation on energy where speakers and panelists discussed Maine’s energy future.I was surprised to learn:
√ Maine’s energy usage: 50% Transportation, 40% for Heating, 10% for Electricity
√ Maine family incomes that are spent on energy: 1998: 5% 2008: 20% 2018: 40-50%
√ Every $1.00 that gas increases, $1,2 billion dollars flows out of Maine’s economy
To read all about MDF’s forum go to http://www.mdf.org/pla/forums0809.html
Other highlights of the December included going to many legislative breakfasts. These breakfasts give organizations & businesses an opportunity to share what they do, state their priorities for the incoming session and to hear what we have to say. I attended Southern Maine Community College, Maine Health, University of Southern Maine, United Way of Greater Portland, Cumberland County, and many more.
Finally, I met this month with organizations and individuals to learn more what they are doing and to work on bills ideas. The issues that kept me busy this month included: a summit of economic development directors in the communities of Westbrook, Scarborough, Portland and South Portland, progressive tax reform meetings, full marriage equality, how University of Southern Maine’s Business School is rethinking it’s niche, the National Popular Vote, learning more about educational issues around K-12 schools, what The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Portland is doing, and finally understanding Southern Maine’s trash to energy & recycling center called EcoMaine.
I hope that letter finds you well and I wish you all a Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Justin
