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| Rep. McElwee |
Freshman Caribou legislator appointed to Health and Human Services Committee
AUGUSTA – Newly-elected Republican state representative Carol McElwee has been appointed to the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services (HHS). McElwee represents District 4, which includes Caribou.
“I am very pleased to be appointed to the Health and Human Services Committee,” said Rep. McElwee. “As a teacher for 35 years, I am passionate about helping people and I have a unique perspective on young people’s health that I hope to add to the discussion in Augusta about health services.”
McElwee is also a healthy living enthusiast, having run six marathons including the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon (twice). She also enjoys skiing, golfing, and kayaking, and served as the Wellness chair at Caribou High School.
“I’d like to find ways to encourage active living because I know it will save the state money in the long-term,” said McElwee. “I am also a very fiscally conservative person and would like to find ways to save money at the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which has grown far too big and expensive.”
The Legislature’s HHS Committee is the committee of jurisdiction over, and responsible for oversight at, DHHS, the state’s largest department and the one that is responsible for Maine’s welfare programs. Rep. Alexander Willette (R-Mapleton), the Assistant House Republican Leader, said that HHS is one of the most important committees and that he and House Republican Leader Ken Fredette (R-Newport) chose Rep. McElwee specifically for the post.
“DHHS consumes about 47 percent of the state budget, so the HHS Committee is a very important one,” said Rep. Willette. “We thought Carol would be a great fit because she is passionate about improving people’s lives while making sure that our programs are fiscally responsible.”
Rep. McElwee will begin her work when the Legislature reconvenes on Tuesday, Jan. 8.
