Judiciary Committee Approves Vote on Splitting Hancock, Washington County DA
Last week, the Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to allow the citizens of Hancock and Washington counties to vote on whether to split DA 7 into two separate prosecutorial districts.
“I am thrilled with the strong showing in Judiciary,” Rep. Will Tuell (R-East Machias) said of the outcome. “Our whole delegation is behind this 100% and really worked it hard. Even so, we would not have been so fortunate if the county commissioners, sheriff, and local law enforcement agencies from across Washington County hadn’t gotten behind the idea from the get go,” added Tuell.
Tuell went on to say that he submitted the bill at the request of Sheriff Barry Curtis last fall.
“It was an idea at first, but the more I thought about it, the more we talked about it...how things would go...the more obvious it became that we ought to put it in and take our chances,” he said. “Right now, no matter what we do, Washington County is always going to be outvoted when picking a DA. Hancock has 58,000 people. We have 32,000. That’s almost twice as many. That’s not a balanced district at all, and it’s time that we change things up and give local people a vote on who they want in the DA office they are paying for.”
If given final approval, a referendum would be held in both counties this fall, and additional legislation would be brought before the next Legislature.
“I think the Legislature realizes the mess we have statewide with district attorneys,” Tuell commented. “We are not alone. These districts haven’t been changed in decades, yet Maine’s population has. We need to give a serious look at why legislative districts get changed every decade but not prosecutorial districts. Maybe it doesn’t make sense to change them every ten years, but maybe they shouldn’t be set in stone for a generation or more. I think if we can push back, get our own DA Downeast, maybe that will start the ball rolling for other parts of the State that are in as bad a spot.”
Governor Signs Grey Zone Bill
Earlier this month, the Governor signed a bill to allow nighttime fishing in the grey zone during September and October permanent. The bill, unanimously supported by the Marine Resources Committee, came as a result of legislation last year from Rep. Will Tuell (R-East Machias) who sought the change.
“Last year, the Committee agreed to allow it on a trial basis,” Tuell said. “I am thankful that the Department of Marine Resources and local fishermen worked together this past fall, and that the pilot project worked out well for our fishermen. I also want to thank the Governor for signing this extension, and for making life a little bit easier for those guys who haul traps in disputed waters. It is not a big change, but you guys deserve to be able to haul your traps without them being cut off, without them disappearing when you are not legally allowed to fish them.”
Tuell also reminded fishermen that the annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum will be held this weekend in Rockport.
“It’s a great time to see what’s going on in the industry, to catch up with old friends, and to learn from people who live on the water,” he said. “Whether you can make it for a couple hours or the whole weekend, I hope to see you there.”
The Forum runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Samoset Resort, in Rockport.
L.D. 1908, "An Act To Establish First Responders Day as a State Holiday on September 11th," Signed Into Law
 Honored to have some of my best friends by my side as the Governor put pen to paper by signing this bill to honor our first responders. It is by no means the most important or only legislation we can pass to support our first responders, but it is one of many steps this Legislature will be taking to do so. Special thanks to Senator Marianne Moore, Representative Kathleen Dillingham, and Jeff Currier for being there every step of the way.
Sample Ballots for March 3 Presidential Primary and Referendum Question
Voter Information Lookup Service - Find election information based on your home address. This information includes the location of your voting place, the candidates that will appear on your ballot, a sample ballot, your elected officials, and how to contact them.
  
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife News
Did you know you can have your fishing and/or hunting license on your phone? That’s right, you no longer need to print your license!
Pro tip: make sure you download or screenshot your license to make it easier to find, especially if you are in an area with poor service.
You can also download a law book to your phone so you can check a law, confirm legal hunting hours, and more no matter where you are. To download a law book, visit mefishwildlife.com/laws.
Thank You….
Last week, Senator Marianne Moore and I hit a patch of black ice on our way to Augusta. We were travelling Route 9 at the time, and spun around two or three times before crunching into a guardrail. Neither of us were seriously hurt; though, we were shook up a little bit at first.
It could’ve been a lot worse. We could have been hit by oncoming traffic, or gone over the guardrail into a stream. We didn’t, and we were able to, thanks to the help of a good Samaritan, make our way to Augusta.
I want to thank all of you who saw the pictures and read my recap on social media and beyond for your well-wishes, your thoughts, and your prayers. We are blessed to live where we do, and thankful that so many of you have us in your hearts and minds. Senator Moore and I are both doing well. Your well wishes made our day, made our week, and showed us just how blessed we both are.
Beyond that, our Augusta family is truly special. You work with people every day on both sides of the aisle, and you take things for granted. However, when someone is down, hurt, or going through a tough spot, everyone comes to their aid, reaches out, and is just there.
I am thankful. Senator Moore is thankful, and Rep. Perry is thankful.
Yes, Rep. Perry also had an accident the same day we had ours. She too was incredibly fortunate to escape with only a concussion and carry on. While her account did not make social media, it was in many ways more incredible than ours was, yet she still made the trip to Augusta, participated in committee and session, and stood tall for Washington County.
Our delegation is rock solid for a reason. Regardless of our differences, regardless of our parties, we are there for one another, and always will be. We cannot afford to do otherwise.
Thank you all for your kindness, compassion, and concern!
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