As Legislative session approaches, what are the local legislators' goals?
By Elizabeth Prata

The First Regular Session of the One Hundred and Twenty-Second Maine Legislature was scheduled to convene on Wednesday, December 1, 2004. The Monument Newspaper asked Rep. Susan Austin (R-Gray) a few questions as to her goals as a representative in District 109, portions of Gray, No. Yarmouth and Pownal. Austin was re-elected in November to her second term. The Monument will pose the same questions in the weeks to come to the other Senators and Representatives who represent Gray and New Gloucester.Right, Austin

What are your goals for this session?

1. My first goal is to get reorganized with the new elected folks who are coming to the Capitol,

2. Start building new bridges and revisit the older ones to be sure they are secure,

3. Continue due diligence on traffic condition in Gray Village. We've been okayed for some additional signage regarding speed leaving the village on Rt. 100 South,

4. File for my Committee assignment of Research and Business Development so that I can be effective in ways to watchdog legislation that must be Business friendly for our state,

5. Work through General Libby's office to help facilitate a new program designed to connect redeployed soldiers to jobs here in our state upon their return to our district at local businesses,

6. Follow up on many constituent conversations that will lead to positive results within our region. For example: I was invited and hope to job shadow 2 different branches of our law enforcement agencies,

7. Continue to talk with all my constituents through the utilization of my regular column, "Believe in Me..Maine" and consider broadening Believe into another avenue of information for my constituents,

8. Encourage more legislators to our region through awareness of events here,

9. Work with our Student Legislator to support and assist her work in educating and involving teens in the democratic process.

How successful will the Republicans be?
I believe that with the numbers closing in on a more balanced distribution between the two sizeable parties there will be a slightly different tenor in the House, which in turn will filter throughout and down the hall in some respects to the Senate. The closer the numbers are, the more positive the climate for better communication and constructive negotiations…The teeter totter will tip quite easily on a given day just by who comes to work and sits in their seat in the House Chambers. I am looking for a more "get down to business" attitude after what ALL candidates must have heard on the campaign trail.

The people want results and have understandably run out of patience.
I perceive that the Republicans can be more successful in receiving more cooperation and gaining more alliances from the still majority party and get resolve to the spending concerns that they have held for so long. Controlling spending by tying it to some predictable growth marker will in turn slow the tax and spending frenzy. It's a start, and meaningful reform will build from those savings outward.

What are the Democrats going to do?
I want to believe that the Democrats have a sense of what they must do along with us as a team striking out to really help the people in tax reform, health care affordability and a business friendly state. I know I will be looking for evidence that they heard the same cry that I did over the months of visiting with people in their homes and businesses….having a working relationship with the Legislative returnees I will be in a good position to challenge them on their reaction.

The Governor has made some substantial statements around reform and it will be interesting to see if the Democrats are supportive of him and follow his lead. With time to reflect since last session's closing, Democrats in both House and Senate may be more respectful of the Governor's position and office within their party.