State Rep. Susan Austin has been appointed to the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development for the 124th Legislature, which puts her in a position to help shape policy on a variety of business issues.

“I am pleased to be working on this committee,” said Rep. Austin, R-Gray. “In these uncertain economic times, it is vital that the Legislature do what we can to lift burdensome regulations and encourage business growth to foster economic development and create jobs. Maine’s job creation rate is weak, and the best way to escape our economic hard times is by making sure Maine workers are employed. This is my fourth term on this committee, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on these goals.”

The Maine Legislature has 17 joint standing committees, each composed of 13 members – three senators and 10 members of the House. Every committee has jurisdiction over clearly defined parts of state government.

The Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development has jurisdiction over the Maine State Housing Authority, the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), and the Maine Science and Technology Foundation. The Committee also has jurisdiction over business regulation, professional and occupational licensing, real estate practices, insulation, consumer protection, affordable housing, homelessness, economic planning and development agencies, venture capital and trade programs, opportunity zones, research and development, tourism, and defense facility conversion.

Rep. Susan Austin is a four-term legislator representing House District 109, which includes part of Gray, part of North Yarmouth, and part of Pownal.