Under the Dome: Inside the Maine State House provides a high-level overview of recent activity at the Maine State House. If you would like more specific information regarding an item in this newsletter or related to government relations, please contact a member of our Government Relations Practice Group: John Delahanty, Andrea Cianchette Maker, or Avery Day.

Gubernatorial Nominations Being Announced, Senate Confirmation Session Set

Over the past two weeks, Governor LePage has nominated over 50 people to fill confirmable positions on state boards and commissions.  A partial list of nominees includes:

Maine Community College System Board of Trustees

Jean Ginn Marvin, Cape Elizabeth*

Robert A. Moore, Cumberland

University of Maine System Board of Trustees

The Hon. James O. Donnelly, Brewer

Susan V. Dench, Falmouth

Samuel W. Collins, Caribou*

Maine Maritime Academy Board of Trustees

Miles U. Theeman, Bangor

Robert J. Peacock II, Eastport*

Wendy L. Morrison, Dickinson, TX

State Board of Education

The Hon. Jane S. Sexton, Gorham

Alan R. Burton, Winslow

Jana F. Lapoint, Falmouth* 

Gambling Control Board

Timothy S. Doyle, Turner*

Efficiency Maine Trust Board

Donald C. Lewis, Jr., Brewer

Albert E. Hodsdon III, Fairfield*

Board of Pesticides Control

Dr. Carol A. Eckert, Windsor*

Dr. John M. Jemison, Jr., Orono*

Maine Board of Tax Appeals

Edwin A. Heisler, Falmouth*

Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices

The Hon. Richard A. Nass, Acton

                                                                    *Reappointment

Legislative committees of jurisdiction will begin holding confirmation hearings between September 24^th and September 29^th in order to consider these nominees.  The full Senate will then convene on September 30^th at 10:00 a.m. in order to take final action on these nominations.  

Secretary of State Publishes Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election

This week, the Maine Secretary of State published the Citizen’s Guide to the Referendum Election.  This Guide provides a description of the seven questions that will appear on November’s state-wide ballot, which relate to the following:

Question 1 – proposes limiting certain bear hunting practices.

Question 2 – proposes $8 million in borrowing to create an animal and plant disease and insect control facility at the University of Maine.

Question 3 – proposes $8 million in borrowing for loans to small businesses to be administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (“FAME”) and regional economic development agencies, as well as $4 million in borrowing for FAME commercial loan insurance in partnership with Maine lending institutions.

Question 4 – proposes $10 million in borrowing to expand genetic and biometric research capabilities at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor.

Question 5 – proposes $3 million in borrowing for biotechnology workforce training at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory.

Question 6 – proposes $10 million in borrowing for water-related projects, including funding for stream crossings and culvert upgrades, wetland restoration, and wastewater and drinking water revolving loan funds.

Question 7 – proposes $7 million in borrowing for capital investments to facilitate the growth of marine-related businesses to be administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development.