The 132nd Legislature was officially been sworn in December 4 and committee assignments have been made. I will be returning to the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee. I will also again serve as Ranking Member on the Marine Resources Committee.
The Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee has jurisdiction over the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; inland fisheries and wildlife research and management; hunting; fishing; trapping; hunter safety; fish hatcheries; game wardens; guides; taxidermist licensing; ATVs; snowmobiles; watercraft registration and boater safety; and whitewater rafting.
The Marine Resources Committee has jurisdiction over the Department of Marine Resources; Marine Patrol; commercial and recreational marine fisheries management, licensing and enforcement; marine science and research; shellfish sanitation and management; and aquaculture.
As you can see from the official committee descriptions, these two committees will be very busy this session. In addition to my committee responsibilities, I am most interested in finding ways to lower our energy bills. Maine consumers are overpaying for energy and it is hurting Maine citizens. We need to help make Maine affordable again for working families and prevent more employers from going out of business.
The Legislature is reviewing a proposed two-year budget from Governor Mills. Updated revenue projections are slightly better, but still show a substantial deficit in 2026/2027. This needs to be addressed in order to meet the Maine Constitution’s balanced budget requirement.
There are many important issues that I am interested in going forward. I look forward to hearing from during the next two years on state issues of interest to you, or matters concerning state agencies. Please contact me at Jim.Thorne@legislature.maine.gov if I can be of assistance. I appreciate the opportunity to represent you in Augusta.
Sincerely, Rep. Jim Thorne