District 122

I am honored to represent the citizens of South Portland as the 124^th Maine Legislature begins its work. While there are many challenges that will face us this year there are also many opportunities. I was very pleased to have been appointed to the Legislature’s Insurance and Financial Serviced Committee. Given the current financial crisis I expect our committee to be very busy. 

The committee has jurisdiction over the wide sweep of financial operations including banks, credit unions, consumer credit lenders, investment firms and insurance companies. Several state agencies also fall under the purview of the committee such as, the Bureau of Financial Institutions, the Office of Consumer Credit Regulation, the Office of Securities, the Bureau of Insurance, the Dirigo Health Agency and the State Employee Health Commission.

The committee will take up many issues from insurance coverage to foreclosures. We will be looking into making health care more affordable for Maine residents and dealing with the growing number of foreclosures in our state.  

While the committee has some difficult work cut out for it this session, the Legislature was first forced to deal with a budget shortfall of nearly $160 million to bring the state’s budget ending on June 30, into balance. Our state constitution requires us to keep the budget in balance - we cannot run at a deficit. As a result much of the month of the last two months was spent in dealing with that issue - after making some very hard decision we were able to come to a bipartisan agreements that made the cuts necessary to bring us into balance with as little damage to vital state services as possible.

As a representative, I have submitted several bills for the legislature’s consideration. The two of those bills are domestic violence related pieces of legislation.  

The first seeks to ensure that those who have a history of domestic abuse are not awarded custody in child custody cases. The second seeks to ensure that pre-natal, obstetric and pediatric care providers have access to emergency services for victims of family violence and that stakeholders further study the issue of domestic violence in pre- and post-pregnancy situations and report back to the Legislature for further action. Domestic violence is an economic issue, it is an insurance issue, and it is a public safety issue and I am happy to sponsor legislation that deals with this issue.    

Finally, as winter ends and spring begins I wanted to mention two items that you may find useful. Every spring, the state treasurer releases a list of unclaimed property that belongs to Maine residents but is being held by the state. I’ve been reviewing that list, and have found a number of folks in our area who have money coming. In the next few days, I’ll be calling to let you know that you are “on the list,” and I’ll explain how to claim that property. 

Also, as we all know it’s tax season. If your earnings for 2008 were $50,000 or less, you can get free tax preparation assistance. The United Way of Greater Portland is working with AARP, Casey Family Services, Consumer Credit, KeyBank, Pine Tree Legal Assistance, the Portland Housing Authority, and People’s Regional Opportunity Program to make this possible. When you have all your 2008 tax documents, dial 211 for the number to make an appointment.

While I have to consider the needs of the state generally, I will work hard to represent our community’s best interests. I hope that you will contact me with thoughts, questions, concerns and suggestions. I am truly honored that you have put your trust in me to represent you in Augusta, and I look forward to hearing from you. Please feel free to e-mail me at tmorrison16@msn.com or call me at 831-0828.