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August 25, 2009 Jay Finegan, 287-1445
Rep. Bob Nutting Named to National Committee on Budgets and Revenue

AUGUSTA – State Rep. Bob Nutting has been named to an influential national 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. Nutting into contact with state legislators from around the nation to share approaches and solutions to financial problems. Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree announced the appointment recently.

“The NCSL is an outstanding and very effective organization, and I’m honored by this appointment,” said Rep. Nutting (R-Oakland), a fifth-term legislator. “The Budgets and Revenue Committee provides a forum for legislators to share information. In this era of revenue shortfalls and very tight state budgets, I’m looking forward to discussing financial strategies with legislators from other states.”

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 appointment will be a good fit with Rep. Nutting’s responsibility in the Maine Legislature, where he serves on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. That important panel has jurisdiction over General Fund appropriations and general fiscal policy; federal funds allocations; special revenue and block grant allocations; Budget Stabilization Fund; unappropriated surplus; bond issues; review of revenue estimates; budgeting methodologies, general fiscal policy; and financial evaluation of agencies of state government.

The NCSL, based in Denver, is a nonpartisan 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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