Senator Matt Pouliot: Despite the Pandemic, Legislators Are Working for You in Augusta

Hello, I am State Senator Matt Pouliot and I proudly represent Senate District 15 the towns of Augusta, China, Oakland, Sidney, and Vassalboro, and I am the Assistant Senate Republican Leader.

While the COVID-19 outbreak has made everything a little harder than it used to be, those of us who represent you in Augusta have not stopped working or forgotten your needs. The kind of work that goes on every day at the Statehouse may not make the evening news or the local paper, but it is still happening and it’s important; and we are as dedicated as ever to getting the work done for you.

Every day, even after the virus forced our adjournment in March, we receive calls and emails from constituents and do whatever we can to help them navigate the ins and outs of state government to find solutions to their issues.

Though it keeps gettiung busier day by day, it is a good sign that our staff and the senators have received more calls and emails recently than we can ever remember getting because it means that more people are engaged with the process of their Legislature and state government.

Senate Republicans have submitted their bills for the new session and we are underway and anxious to get to work in our committees hearing from the public and discussing these new pieces of legislation. We have been ready to return to work on a normal schedule, but this is a decision that the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House are empowered to make.

As a safety measure, committees will be meeting virtually via Zoom with opportunities for the people to weigh in. As the session moves along, you can follow what is happening and even participate during public hearings.

To do so, keep an eye on the Legislature’s main Web page at legislature.maine.gov and we’ve have even added a YouTube channel so that the public can watch all that is happening live or go back and watch the events from previous days.

Among other subjects, Senate Republicans have submitted six bills and one proposal for a constitutional amendment directed at reining in the unchecked power of a governor to continually extend State of Emergency orders without the endorsement or input of the Legislature. One of those has already been referred to committee and will have a public hearing in the next few weeks.

If you are having issues, whether it is about unemployment compensation, new challenges faced by small business, or anything that involves state government, please let me know. You can call our office at (207)287-1505, visit our Website at www.mesenategop.com, or visit our Facebook page at Maine Senate Republicans.

Don’t forget that Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Keep in mind that this is more than just a holiday. It has become a tradition to perform some act of service to your community on this day in the spirit of Dr. King’s work. One of the areas where you might be able to help is with the local food bank. Right here in Augusta, we have a tremendous food bank that does wonders for our community and I would encourage you to seek the local one in your community and see if there is something you might be able to do to help out on Monday.

Again, I am State Senator Matt Pouliot for District 15. Have a great holiday weekend.