(D-Chapman)
As a member of two busy legislative committees, I started the 2008 session with a full plate.
In 2007, the Committee on Future Maine Prosperity was created to determine methods to grow the economy and create prosperity in Maine. The committee is made up of seven Democrats, seven Republicans, one Independent and one Tribal representative. Apart from our party affiliations, we were appointed to the committee last spring based on our diverse educational backgrounds, work history and experience, giving the committee a wide range of knowledge and qualifications from which we could draw. We come from all over the state, and we share the common goal of understanding what our state’s priorities are. Studies on Maine’s economy and quality of life suggest that Maine needs to have a broader long-term strategy and focus on economic development efforts. This committee has reached a unanimous, bipartisan agreement about what we need to focus on as we stand on the threshold of change.
We met five times throughout the summer and fall and determined that the most important steps to move Maine into the future require collaboration. We painted our final report with broad brush strokes that allow the Legislature’s committees to respond to our recommendations for state priorities. By working in cross-sections, we will create legislation that will address those issues that do not fit neatly into one committee or another.
I also serve on the Education Committee, which, as most of you know, has the sizeable task of making the final recommendations on changes regarding school district consolidation. This committee also met throughout the summer and fall and has held hearings about funding issues as well as the actual process itself.
I have heard many arguments for and against administrative consolidation. Shortly after session began, we held a hearing for legislators who submitted bills for the second session regarding school unit reorganization. This approach allowed us to get a sense of the difficulties many units face in consolidating districts.
I agree with the concept that regionalization of school units has to keep local demographics in mind. What is best for more highly populated areas probably will not work for us here in Aroostook County or other rural parts of our state. We have received input from numerous legislators and will be crafting one or two pieces of legislation to address their concerns. Once the proposals are complete, we will hold a public hearing, probably in early February. This will be an opportunity for all citizens to comment and make suggestions on the proposed legislation.
This is not an easy issue, and it has certainly been contentious. But I was reminded during a recent hearing that we are here for one thing – Maine’s children. Quality education for our students must remain our number one priority, and that means focusing our fiscal resources into the classroom – concentrating on our teachers and children. And I have not heard anyone disagree with that premise.
I am honored to have been appointed to both of these vital committees. I will continue to remind my respective committees of the differences between southern Maine and northern Maine, urban Maine and rural Maine, and the need to respond to needs on both local and state levels.
I am here in Augusta working for you, and I value your input on these and other state issues. As always, I hope that you will contact me if have questions or concerns. You can reach me at home at 764-1490 or by e-mail at psutherland@sutherlandweston.com.
