AUGUSTA - Independence Association, Inc. recognized Rep. Poppy Arford, D-Brunswick, with its 2023 Legislator of the Year award at its annual meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 13. The annual award recognizes an elected official for outstanding advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Scott Landry, D-Farmington, earned the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine 2023 President's Award for Legislative Service. The award was announced at the organization's annual banquet on Sept. 9.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, attended the Robert J. Thompson Eastern Leadership Academy (ELA) as a member of the class of 2023 late last month.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Dan Ankeles, D-Brunswick, and Rep. Poppy Arford, D-Brunswick, were present for 100% of roll call votes for the legislative session that wrapped up in July, making them two of only a few legislators with perfect attendance during the first year of the two-year term.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Cluchey, D-Bowdoinham, was present for 100% of roll call votes for the legislative session that wrapped up in July, making her one of only a few legislators with perfect attendance during the first year of the two-year term.

"As a state lawmaker, I am honored to represent my constituents' voices in Augusta and I take that responsibility seriously," said Rep. Cluchey. "The people of Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Richmond and Perkins Island Township deserve a representative that shows up, learns about the issues and casts the votes, even when the decisions are hard."

AUGUSTA - Rep. Doudera, D-Camden, was present for 100% of roll call votes for the legislative session that wrapped up in July, making her one of only a few legislators with perfect attendance during the first year of the two-year term.

"As a state lawmaker, it's my job to ensure that my constituents' voices are represented in Augusta," said Rep. Doudera. "The people of Camden and Rockport expect their representative to work as hard as they do, and I will always take that responsibility seriously."

The first session of the 131st Legislature has come to a close, and I am so proud of all we accomplished to support our community.

AUGUSTA - Rep. Grayson Lookner, D-Portland, will join registered Maine sea kayak guides in Augusta on Wednesday evening to greet Joe Guglielmetti, Master Maine Sea Kayak Guide, following his attempt to paddle the nearly 70 miles from Portland's East End to the Maine State House in just one day. Guglielmetti is embarking on the trip to raise awareness and build support for preserving public beach access and increasing funding for outdoor education programming in Maine schools.

AUGUSTA - The supplemental budget passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Janet Mills last month will provide a significant infusion of new funds to school districts across the state that have seen an increase in students who are English Language Learners (ELL).

AUGUSTA - A measure by Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, that will establish the School Meal Equipment and Program Improvement Fund, administered by the Maine Department of Education (DOE), is now law. Gov. Janet Mills signed the bill on Thursday, July 27.