Bruce Bickford for Maine House District 70

As a newly elected member, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the privilege of serving as your State Representative for the 124th Maine State Legislature.

I have been assigned to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, which has jurisdiction over the Department of Labor; wage and hour laws; working conditions, including health and safety; workforce development; unemployment compensation; workers' compensation; labor relations; collective bargaining; retirement eligibility and benefits for state and municipal employees, including teachers; judicial and legislative retirement systems; Workers’ Compensation Board and the Maine State Retirement System.

Additionally, I have been tapped as a member of the Government Oversight Committee (GOC). The purpose of the GOC is to ensure that public funds are expended in the most effective, efficient and economical manner possible. It directs the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA), to conduct independent evaluations and investigations of State agencies and programs receiving public funds or expending private monies for public purposes.

My colleagues and I will be confronting some serious issues over the next several months, not the least of which is balancing our State budget, which is facing a huge shortfall. Many difficult decisions will need to be made in order to cut costs. I plan to support an effort to reduce the size of the Legislature, bring the total to105 representatives to 35 senators; this would contribute to a reduction in the cost of running the Legislature.

With so many concerns being debated during the 124^th I encourage you to visit the Legislature’s website at http://janus.state.me.us/house/homepage.htm for up-to-date bill status information, public hearing dates and roll call votes on legislation.

Again, thank you very much for the privilege of serving as your State Representative. Please stay in touch.

Best Regards,