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July 15, 2009 Jay Finegan, 287-1445
Rep. Michael Celli Named to National Committee on Budgets and Revenue

AUGUSTA – Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree has named Rep. Michael Celli to an influential committee on government finances at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The two-year appointment to the Budgets and Revenue Committee, which takes effect immediately, will bring Rep. Celli into contact with state legislators from around the nation to share approaches and solutions to common financial issues.

“I’m honored by this appointment and the opportunity to represent Maine at the national level,” said Rep. Celli (R-Brewer), a first-term legislator. “The NCSL is an outstanding organization, and its Budgets and Revenue Committee provides a forum for legislators to share information. Considering the grim revenue situation confronting virtually all states, there’s probably no more important NCSL committee right now. I’m looking forward to sharing financial strategies with legislators from other states.”

Rep. Celli served on the State and Local Government Committee in the Maine Legislature earlier in the session and currently serves on the Committee on Maine’s Energy Future. On the State and Local Government panel, he dealt with a wide range of issues, including county budget processes, state contracts and fiscal procedures, county and regional government and state employees.

The NCSL’s Budgets and Revenue Committee is one of 11 standing committees. It is responsible for protecting the states’ interests in federal decisions regarding fiscal matters, including annual action on the federal budget. It also examines federal and state policies with fiscal implications, including: funding for services and programs; budget processes; tax and revenue systems; legislative oversight; unfunded mandates; and state-local fiscal relations.

The NCSL, based in Denver, is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues; and it advocates for the interests of state governments before Congress and federal agencies.

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