York Town News
Weaver, Gould named to the Maine Legislature’s Prosperity Committee
AUGUSTA - Representatives Bonnie Gould, R-South Berwick, and Windol Weaver, R-York, have been named to the Joint Select Committee on Prosperity.
Speaker Glenn Cummings appointed the two York County legislators to the committee, which is charged with crafting a sustainable economic plan for the state.
"It is an honor to be selected to serve on this newly formed committee," Weaver said after the announcement was made. "I will do my best to work with other committee members to develop a comprehensive plan that moves Maine's economy in the right direction for years to come."
In order to develop such a plan, the 15-member bipartisan committee will review recent reports, such as the Brookings Institution's "Charting Maine's Future" and the Governor's Council on Jobs, Innovation and the Economy report, aimed at addressing the long-term growth of the state's economy and the preservation of quality of life.
The committee will also seek comments and recommendations from a number of the Legislature's Joint Standing Committees.
"Working together is the only way a clear strategy for our state's economic future will be formulated," Gould said. "I am confident that the committee is willing to make the tough decisions needed as to how to invest our limited financial resources and develop ideas to poise Maine for long-term economic success."
The senate president and speaker of the house created the Prosperity Committee to allow for a greater opportunity for legislators to consider the state budget, economic development efforts, taxation and education as a cohesive package, instead of as individual pieces.
The committee will meet throughout the summer and fall. It will submit its findings and recommendations, along with necessary legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature by January of 2008, at which time the committee will disband.
Gould, who represents the towns of North Berwick and South Berwick, also serves on the Judiciary Committee and the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee. She is a graduate of the University of Maine and the Pierce Law Center in Concord, N.H., and in addition to practicing law, she teaches paralegal studies at Husson College.
Weaver is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government. He is a retired Air Force officer and represents the residents of York.
