Editor,

As we all begin to look with hope for the new year, I am eagerly anticipating the new session of the Maine Legislature. With more than 2,400 bills submitted, it will be a lot of work, but it’s exciting that there are so many ideas to consider on how we can move Maine forward.

I was pleased that Speaker of the House Glenn Cummings reappointed me to two joint standing committees I served on during my first term, both of which directly impact Windham and Gray. The first is the Judiciary Committee, which oversees issues ranging from human rights to civil and property law, in addition to Maine’s entire judicial system. Last session, one of the major bills I considered on this committee was the anti-discrimination legislation that allows every Mainer the same rights to employment, housing, credit and education.

Most importantly to me, this committee considers a lot of family-oriented legislation, like giving foster parents the tools they need to help their children grow both physically and emotionally. Windham has one of the highest concentrations of foster families per capita in Maine, and I’ve gotten to know many of the wonderful parents through serving on the board of SMART Child and Family Services.

The other committee I’ve been reappointed to is the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, and it has jurisdiction over outdoor recreation activities and facilities for hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, and ATVs, as well as critical fish and wildlife research to protect our natural heritage. I have learned much over the last two years about getting funding dedicated in the state budget for the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, and plan to continue to do all I can to ensure that the park has all the resources it needs to continue its important mission of conservation and education.

During my first term, I sponsored several successful bills relating to outdoor recreation, including the ability for hunters to transfer permits to other hunters between zones, and the expansion of the turkey hunting lottery. This session, I have already proposed legislation to reduce the noise of boats on Maine lakes, and to update the state’s endangered species list, among several other outdoor-oriented bills.

Another honor I was granted was reappointment to the House Committee on Ethics. This committee is used to review and make decisions on the conduct of members of the House of Representatives. It meets when the Speaker of the House deems that a member has a conflict of interest on an issue, or has behaved in a manner not befitting a state representative.

Despite my commitments to these committees, my first priority is always to people here at home. It’s very important to me that I hear your thoughts and do my best to represent our area in Augusta. If I can assist you on any state issue, or if you have questions or comments on legislation pending in Augusta, please feel free to call me at home at 892-6591, or e-mail me at RepMarkBryant@yahoo.com.

Rep. Mark Bryant

Windham