Under the Dome: Inside the Maine State House 9.19.14
Under the Dome: Inside the Maine State House provides a high-level overview of recent activity at the Maine State House.
Gubernatorial Nominations Being Announced, Senate Confirmation Session Set
Over the past two weeks, Governor LePage has nominated over 50 people to fill confirmable positions on state boards and commissions. A partial list of nominees includes:
Maine Community College System Board of Trustees
Jean Ginn Marvin, Cape Elizabeth*
Robert A. Moore, Cumberland
University of Maine System Board of Trustees
The Hon. James O. Donnelly, Brewer
Susan V. Dench, Falmouth
Samuel W. Collins, Caribou*
Maine Maritime Academy Board of Trustees
Miles U. Theeman, Bangor
Robert J. Peacock II, Eastport*
Wendy L. Morrison, Dickinson, TX
State Board of Education
The Hon. Jane S. Sexton, Gorham
Alan R. Burton, Winslow
Jana F. Lapoint, Falmouth*
Gambling Control Board
Timothy S. Doyle, Turner*
Efficiency Maine Trust Board
Donald C. Lewis, Jr., Brewer
Albert E. Hodsdon III, Fairfield*
Board of Pesticides Control
Dr. Carol A. Eckert, Windsor*
Dr. John M. Jemison, Jr., Orono*
Maine Board of Tax Appeals
Edwin A. Heisler, Falmouth*
Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices
The Hon. Richard A. Nass, Acton
*Reappointment
Legislative committees of jurisdiction will begin holding confirmation hearings between September 24th and September 29th in order to consider these nominees. The full Senate will then convene on September 30th at 10:00 a.m. in order to take final action on these nominations.
Secretary of State Publishes Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election
This week, the Maine Secretary of State published the Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election. This Guide provides a description of the seven questions that will appear on November’s state-wide ballot, which relate to the following:
Question 1 – proposes limiting certain bear hunting practices.
Question 2 – proposes $8 million in borrowing to create an animal and plant disease and insect control facility at the University of Maine.
Question 3 – proposes $8 million in borrowing for loans to small businesses to be administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (“FAME”) and regional economic development agencies, as well as $4 million in borrowing for FAME commercial loan insurance in partnership with Maine lending institutions.
Question 4 – proposes $10 million in borrowing to expand genetic and biometric research capabilities at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor.
Question 5 – proposes $3 million in borrowing for biotechnology workforce training at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory.
Question 6 – proposes $10 million in borrowing for water-related projects, including funding for stream crossings and culvert upgrades, wetland restoration, and wastewater and drinking water revolving loan funds.
Question 7 – proposes $7 million in borrowing for capital investments to facilitate the growth of marine-related businesses to be administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development.