7548-R1_NewGloucester_2019-2020_AnnualReport_Web

H OUSE OF R EPRESENTATIVES 2 S TATE H OUSE S TATION A UGUSTA , M AINE 04333-0002 (207) 287-1440 TTY: (207) 287-4469 H OUSE OF R EPRESENTATIVES 2 S TATE H OUSE S TATION A UGUSTA , M AINE 04333-0002 (207) 287-1440 TTY: (207) 287-4469

Amy B. Arata P.O. Box 2 Amy B. Arata P.O. Box 2 New Gloucester, ME 04260 Cell Phone: (207) 333-1817 Amy.Arata@legislature.maine.gov New Gloucester, ME 04260 Cell Phone: (207) 333-1817 Amy.Arata@legislature.maine.gov January 2021

January 2021 Dear Friends & Neighbors,

Dear Friends & Neighbors, These are truly unprecedented times for our state and nation. Our patience and character are continually being tested during this period of social unrest. Accordingly, I am honored by the opportunity to serve as your representative in the Maine Legislature, and I welcome your thoughts as we continue to weather this pandemic together. The coming months of State governance will unfold unlike any other period in our 200-year history. Now, more than ever before, is the moment for leaders to pull together in the best interests of those we serve. For the 130 th Legislature, I have again been assigned to the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs (AFA), along with the bipartisan Government Oversight Committee (GOC). The AFA panel oversees General Fund appropriations and general fiscal policy; federal funds allocations, special revenue and block grant allocations when part of a biennial or supplemental budget; the Budget Stabilization Fund; general obligation bond issues; collective bargaining funding; review of financial orders; and financial evaluation of State agencies. The GOC seeks to ensure that public funds are expended for intended purposes, and that programs and activities are effectively, efficiently, and economically managed. As much of our work will likely be done virtually, I encourage you to monitor proceedings via the new YouTube channel, which can be found at https://www.youtube.com/c/MaineStateLegislature/channels. Undoubtedly, the biggest agenda item for lawmakers during the First Regular Session is the biennial budget. The $8.394 billion two-year financial plan will be heavily scrutinized over the weeks and months ahead. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to make certain every dollar sent to Augusta by you, the taxpayer, is used as efficiently as possible. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the good people of District 65. If you have an interest in receiving my regular e-newsletter, please send along your email address so that it can be added to my distribution list. These are truly unprecedented times for our state and nation. Our patience and character are continually being tested during this period of social unrest. Accordingly, I am honored by the opportunity to serve as your representative in the Maine Legislature, and I welcome your thoughts as we continue to weather this pandemic together. The coming months of State governance will unfold unlike any other period in our 200-year history. Now, more than ever before, is the moment for leaders to pull together in the best interests of those we serve. For the 130 th Legislature, I have again been assigned to the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs (AFA), along with the bipartisan Government Oversight Committee (GOC). The AFA panel oversees General Fund appropriations and general fiscal policy; federal funds allocations, special revenue and block grant allocations when part of a biennial or supplemental budget; the Budget Stabilization Fund; general obligation bond issues; collective bargaining funding; review of financial orders; and financial evaluation of State agencies. The GOC seeks to ensure that public funds are expended for intended purposes, and that programs and activities are effectively, efficiently, and economically managed. As much of our work will likely be done virtually, I encourage you to monitor proceedings via the new YouTube channel, which can be found at https://www.youtube.com/c/MaineStateLegislature/channels. Undoubtedly, the biggest agenda item for lawmakers during the First Regular Session is the biennial budget. The $8.394 billion two-year financial plan will be heavily scrutinized over the weeks and months ahead. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to make certain every dollar sent to Augusta by you, the taxpayer, is used as efficiently as possible. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the good people of District 65. If you have an interest in receiving my regular e-newsletter, please send along your email address so that it can be added to my distribution list.

Best wishes,

Best wishes,

Amy B. Arata State Representative Amy B. Arata State Representative

District 65

New Gloucester and Poland (part)

District 65 New Gloucester and Poland (part)

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