Editor,

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to reflect on our blessings, and it is also a chance for us to give back to our communities. Even though I came from a family with nine siblings and we didn’t always have much ourselves, helping others is a value that was impressed upon me at an early age. It’s one of the things I love about serving as a legislator, because I can advocate for the needs of our area in both the policy and state agency arenas.

Sometimes I am contacted just to find out information on different state laws or regulations, but it often leads to identifying how those laws impact the people they were meant to protect and serve. Last year, for instance, I heard from a stay-at-home mother who could not get an exemption from jury duty service even though she and her family were going to incur a lot of extra costs from trying to find day care for her infants for the unknown length of her jury service. I brought forward legislation on her behalf about expanding the jury duty exemptions to caregivers. Even though it did not pass, it was considered during a larger discussion by legislators about increasing the payments to jurors to accommodate for these types of situations.

More often, I hear from folks about problems they have in navigating state government. This is the work that I find most gratifying. As a representative, I have access to many resources throughout government to help constituents resolve issues or concerns at the state level. While it is not always possible to fix everything, I feel honored that I have the opportunity to at least make sure your voice is heard, either through a vote in the House chamber or by contacting an agency commissioner on your behalf.

If I can ever be of service to you or your family, either by discussing an issue or assisting with a situation with a state agency, please do not hesitate to contact me. Feel free to call me at home at 892-6591, or e-mail me at RepMarkBryant@yahoo.com.

Rep. Mark Bryant

House District 110

Parts of Windham and Gray