Maine has about 1.2 million people and is represented by two (2) Congressmen
in Washington. They are Tom Allen and Michael H. Michaud. They are both Democrats.
You can find their web sites at: http://www.maine.gov/government/locfed.html
if you would like more information about them.
Because we have 2 Senators and 2 Congressmen that means Maine gets four (4)
Electoral Votes.
In Maine, each political party that has a Presidential/Vice Presidential
candidate picks four people each election to be the Electoral College members
for Maine that meet and cast the votes. Whichever party wins the most popular
votes (people voting on election day) in the State becomes the State's members
of the Electoral College.
In most states the candidates that get the most popular votes win all the
Electors of that State. In Maine and Nebraska two Electors are
chosen by statewide popular vote and the others are by the popular vote within
each of their Congressional districts.
Maine's Constitution set up three separate branches of
Government which are coequal. There is the Executive branch, run by the Governor; the
Legislature, divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate; and the
Judicial branch, run by the courts. There is a web page at http://www.maine.gov/sos/kids/government/state_government.htm
to learn more about this.
Although separation of powers among the branches is not absolute, the
fundamental function of the legislative branch is to consider, debate and
establish public policy, provide means and resources for its implementation and
review its administration.
The Legislature is called a part-time citizen legislature, meeting from
December to June in odd years and January to April in even years.
How Many Maine Representatives are there?
The Constitution of Maine states that the Maine Legislature must consist of
two separate houses or chambers: The Senate and the House of
Representatives. The Constitution further provides that the House consist
of 151 members.
Each Representative has a district which represents
approximately 7,500 people. There is a web page which gives the qualifications
for becoming a Maine Representative at http://janus.state.me.us/house/h_qual.htm
The presiding officer of the House is the Speaker of the House, who is
elected by the members of the House.
Are There Any Indian Representatives?
In addition to its 151 members, the House seats two tribal
representatives. The Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation each
elect a representative to serve in the House. The Indian representatives
may sponsor legislation relating to Indians and Indian land claims and they may
cosponsor any other legislation. The Indian representatives are also
entitled to sit as nonvoting members of joint standing committees during hearing
and deliberations.
How Many Maine Senators are there?
The Maine Constitution requires that the Senate consist of an odd number of
members, not less than 31 nor more than 35. The Senate currently has 35 Senators, each has a district which represents approximately
35,000 people.
There is a web page which gives the qualifications
for becoming a Maine Senator at http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/senators/senqualifications/qual.htm
The presiding officer of the Senate is the President of the Senate, who is
elected by the members of the Senate.
Do Maine Legislators Have Term Limits
Under the Constitution of Maine, the legislative term of office is two
years. Maine law prohibits legislators from serving more than four
consecutive terms in either the House or the Senate. The law applies to
terms beginning on or after December 3, 1996.
The Legislature limits by law and rule the number of terms the presiding
officers and floor leaders of both chambers may serve. Current law limits
the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, the House and Senate
party floor leaders, and assistant party floor leaders to no more than three
consecutive legislative bienniums in office (6 years).
When Does the Legislature Meet?
The Constitution of Maine establishes the legislative biennium and directs
the Legislature to convene in regular session on the first Wednesday in December
following the general election of the members. By law, the First regular
session must adjourn by the third Wednesday in June of odd-numbered years.
According to the Constitution of Maine, the Second regular session convenes on
the first Wednesday following the first Tuesday in January of even-numbered
years and by law, adjourns by the third Wednesday of April.
The Legislature can meet in Special Session whenever called by the Governor
or itself to work on special matters. The Senate of Maine also can hold
Confirmation sessions to act on appointments made by the Governor when the
Legislature is not in session.
What are the Role and Responsibilities of Maine State Legislators?
A legislator is expected to become well versed in a number of complex subject
areas and familiar with a vast array of issues raised by pending legislation. A
legislator’s duties also involve examination and analysis of the State’s budget,
oversight of public agencies, analysis of government programs, review of major
agency
rules, review of gubernatorial appointments and constituent work. Most
legislators are assigned to one or more joint standing committees, which are
responsible
for considering and making recommendations on bills, conducting periodic
evaluations of agency performance and structure, reviewing agency rules and
reviewing certain gubernatorial appointments. Generally, a committee holds a
public hearing on each bill referred to it. Committee work sessions may be held
at some time after the hearing. At a work session, a committee typically votes
on a bill after consideration and discussion of its merits. The vote on a bill
is a recommendation for final action that is reported to the full Legislature
for consideration. Legislative staff offices provide legislators and
committees with assistance in analyzing the bills and the potential policy,
legal and fiscal implications of enactment.
Many legislators also serve on commissions and study groups that are
established to examine current issues in depth. For example, the impact of a
Maine-based casino, universal health care coverage, growth management, rail
transportation policy and long term care financing are issues that have been or
are currently being examined by study groups. Typically, such studies are
conducted during the interim between regular sessions and the results are
reported to the following session.
In 1975, the Legislature enacted ethics laws regarding standards of conduct
for legislators (1 MRSA §§1011-1023). That legislation recognizes that the
increasing complexity of State Government makes conflicts of interest almost
inevitable for part-time public officials, particularly for legislators who vote
on measures affecting almost every resident of the State. In the statement of
purpose accompanying the statutory provisions dealing with legislative ethics,
the Legislature declared:
If public confidence in government is to be maintained and enhanced, it is not
enough that public officers avoid acts of misconduct. They must also
scrupulously avoid acts which may create an appearance of misconduct. The
Legislature cannot legislate morals and the resolution of ethical problems must
indeed rest largely in the individual conscience. The Legislature may and
should, however, define ethical standards, as most professions have done, to
chart the areas of real or apparent impropriety. Each legislator should
carefully review the statutory provisions and not rely exclusively on the
following summary:
1. Income Reporting
The law (1 MRSA §1016-A) requires legislators to report their sources of
income (excluding duly-reported campaign contributions) by February 15th of each
year. Candidates for the Legislature must report income sources by the
first Monday in August preceding the general election. Each source that exceeds
$1000 in the aggregate must be reported by category or economic activity. Any
change to a legislator’s filed financial report must be reported by the
legislator to the Secretary of State within 30 days. Intentionally filing a
false statement is a Class E crime.
2. Conflict of Interest
Title 1 MRSA §1014 lists several activities constituting a conflict of interest
to help define ethical standards and to identify areas of real or apparent
impropriety that are to be avoided. These are examples and should not be
considered an exhaustive list. The section also identifies various situations of
apparent “undue influence” and “abuse of office or position” where a conflict of
interest is presumed. The law defines a conflict of interest to exist
where a legislator or a member of that legislator's immediate family:
• Has or acquires a strong and direct financial interest in a business, or
derives a direct financial benefit from an association with a person with a
direct financial interest in a business that the legislator knows will be
benefited by a proposed law;
• Accepts gifts (excluding duly reported campaign contributions) from someone
whose personal or business interests are likely to be affected by a proposed
law, if the legislator knows or should know that the reason for the gift was to
influence the legislator’s vote or to reward the legislator’s action;
• Receives compensation not authorized by law for the legislator's assistance
and services as a legislator, or for appearing on behalf of someone with a claim
pending before the Legislature;
• Takes a job where there is a strong possibility that the job was given to the
legislator or a family member to influence the legislator’s vote; or
• Would receive special benefit in the legislator's business or profession under
proposed legislation. Under the law, a conflict of interest is presumed
when a legislator:
• Receives compensation for representing someone before a state agency (except
as a lawyer or other professional, acting within the scope of that legislator's
employment);
• Represents someone selling goods or services to the State when the sales did
not occur according to competitive bidding practices; or the legislator or a
family member has a direct financial interest in a contract for goods and
services with the State that was not subject to competitive bidding;
• Grants or obtains a special privilege for self or family by use of the
legislator’s position; or
• Uses or discloses confidential information obtained because of office or
position for the benefit of that legislator or someone else. If a conflict
of interest exists, State law explicitly declares that the legislator must not
“vote on any question in connection with the conflict in committee or in either
branch of the Legislature, and shall not attempt to influence the outcome of
that question.” (1 MRSA §1015, sub-§1)
3. Solicitation and Acceptance of Campaign Contributions
Title 1 MRSA §1015, subsection 3 prohibits legislators and their staff from
soliciting or accepting contributions from a lobbyist, lobbyist associate or
employer between the time the Legislature convenes each year and the time it
adjourns in the first session or the deadline for filing as a candidate under
state election law in the second session. The law also applies to the Governor
and the constitutional officers and their staffs.
4. Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices
To ensure adherence to the ethical standards it incorporated into law, the
Legislature also created the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election
Practices. The general duties of the commission are to investigate and
report on any apparent violations of the ethical standards set by the
Legislature and to investigate any violations of the requirements for campaign
reports, financing and practices. The commission also has the authority to issue
advisory opinions and guidelines on problems or questions involving possible
legislative conflicts of interest, to investigate complaints filed by
legislators alleging conflict of interest against any other legislator and to
administer the financial disclosure requirements imposed on legislators.
If the commission finds that a legislator has voted or acted in conflict of
interest, it is required to report its findings in writing to the chamber of
which the legislator is a member for appropriate action.
What are the salaries and benefits for Maine State Legislators?
Legislative salary and benefits are authorized by Maine Law (3 MRSA §2).
Beginning December 1, 2001, Legislators’ salaries are adjusted annually on
December 1 to reflect the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for the
most recently concluded fiscal year, up to a limit of 5% per year. The
salary specified reflects the projected adjusted amounts for the 124th
Legislature.
1. Legislative Salary
$13,526 1st Regular Session (2009)
$ 9,874 2nd Regular Session (est.) (2010)
* Legislators who are currently retired and receive retirement benefits from the Social Security
Administration may file a request with the Executive Director of the
Legislative Council to have the salary equalized between the 2 years of the
biennium. When equalized, the gross salary in each year of the 124th
Legislature would be approximately $11,700 based on the projected adjusted
salary amounts.
Direct deposit is mandatory for legislator salary payments. Legislator
salary payments are direct deposited into the legislator's designated bank
account and are issued biweekly during the period of the legislative session.
The first payment is issued the first week in January. The remaining
payments are issued in equal installments during the session on a schedule
determined by the Presiding Officers.
Legislators receive per diem payments when they are in Special Session, as
provided by law, and for their attendance at authorized committee meetings when
the Legislature is not in session.
Per Diem $55/day for authorized committee meetings during interim
Per Diem $100/day for special sessions only
2. Session Expense Allowance
In addition to their legislative salary, legislators receive expense payments
during the session for transportation, lodging and meal expenses. Payments
are not necessarily reimbursement of actual expenses and, therefore, are subject
to income taxes as provided by law.
Meals and Lodging $70/day
or
Meals $32/day and Mileage in $0.44/mile not to exceed $38/day.
Tolls Actual (receipts required)
The $38 maximum does not apply to mileage incurred for one round trip per week
which is calculated at the $0.44 per mile rate. (mileage rate changed from
$0.42 to $0.44 on 1/1/09).
Direct deposit is mandatory for all legislators expense reimbursements.
Expense vouchers are submitted to the Executive Director's Office by noon on
Friday.
3. Interim Expense Allowance
During the Legislative Interim (when the Legislature is not in session),
legislators receive reimbursement of actual expenses for authorized travel or
attendance at meetings. Legislators must submit a completed expense
voucher in order to receive reimbursement.
Lodging Actual (receipt required)
Meals (up to $32/day) Limits: $4.00 Breakfast; $8.00 Lunch; and $20 Dinner
(Receipt required for any meal over $12).
Mileage $0.44/mile
Tolls Actual (receipts required)
4. Constituent Service Allowance
Senators: $2,000/year: $1,300 in January of First Regular Session; $700 at
end of First Regular Session
Representatives: $1,500/year: $1,005 in January of First Regular Session; $495
at end of First Regular Session
Note: During the First Regular Session of each legislative biennium, legislators
may elect to receive the first payment of the constituent
allowance in December, rather than January, upon submission of an early payment
request form to the Executive
Director of the Legislative Council prior to December 15th. The constituent allowance is taxable in the
year in
which payment is made.
5. Out-of-State Travel
All out-of-state travel by legislators must be authorized in advance by the
President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House. After obtaining approval
from their presiding officer, legislators are encouraged to seek assistance in
making travel arrangements, including event registration, hotel reservations and
transportation, from the Office of the Executive Director of the Legislative
Council. It is the Legislature’s policy to reimburse legislators for the
actual expenses they incur in the course of approved out-of-state travel, as
long as the expenses are reasonable. The President of the Senate and
Speaker of the House have established written standards for
reimbursement of expenses; these standards are available from the Office of the
Executive Director of the Legislative Council.
6. Health and Dental Insurance
Legislators are eligible for health and dental insurance coverage under the
group health insurance plan available to state employees. Health insurance
coverage is provided through a point-of-service managed care plan with
comprehensive benefits, including preventative care, hospital and medical
services and prescription drugs. Co-payments are required for office visits to
health care providers, for certain services and for prescription drugs.
The State pays 100% of the health insurance premium for legislators and 50% of
the premium for their dependents. The health insurance provider will bill the
legislator directly, with billing sent to the legislator’s home address.
The legislator is responsible for the prompt payment of premiums.
Dental insurance is available to legislators and their dependents. The State
pays 100% of the dental insurance premium for legislators; legislators are
responsible for paying dependent premiums. The dental insurance provider will
bill the legislator directly, with billing sent to the legislator’s home
address. The legislator is responsible for the prompt payment of premiums.
7. Legislative Retirement
The Maine Legislative Retirement System provides a defined benefit retirement
plan similar to the retirement plan for state employees, judges and teachers
provided by the Maine State Retirement System. The legislative retirement system
is administered by the Board of Trustees of the Maine State Retirement System.
Legislators’ retirement benefits are determined by a formula based on length of
legislative service and average compensation. Disability retirement and death
benefits are also available. The system is funded by legislator (employee)
and employer contributions. Legislator contributions are set by statute as a
percentage of Legislator compensation. The employer contribution is determined
on an actuarial basis by the Board of Trustees of the Maine State Retirement System and is expressed and
paid as a percentage of each Legislator's compensation. Generally,
membership in the legislative retirement system is mandatory for all
legislators. However, there are some exceptions for legislators who are
already members of the Maine State Retirement System. Membership is mandatory
for Legislators entering service on or after December 3, 1986. In addition, a waiver from
membership may be requested from the President of the Senate or the Speaker of
the House based on participation in social security or another retirement plan.
Questions regarding membership, contributions or benefits under the Maine
Legislative Retirement System can be answered in the Office of the Executive
Director of the Legislative Council or by the Maine State Retirement System.
Legislature's Contribution 13.47% of earnable compensation Maine Public
Employees Retirement System 30.84% of earnable compensation
Legislator Contribution (Payroll Deduction) 7.65% of earnable compensation
8. Optional Benefits
The Legislature does not make any contributions to the payment of premiums of
optional benefits.
In addition, the legislator may purchase a vision insurance plan to provide
certain coverage for eye exams, corrective lenses, frames, and contact lenses. Additional information is
available in the Office of the Executive Director.
Legislators are eligible to participate in the deferred compensation program
offered to state employees (Section 457 plan). Deferred compensation is a
way of putting money aside and deferring income taxes on that money until
retirement when the Legislator may be in a lower income tax bracket.
Legislators are eligible to participate in one or more group life insurance
plans at their own expense.
Legislators are eligible to enroll in a Legislator-Paid Long-Term Care
Insurance plan sponsored by the State of Maine and underwritten by Aetna Life.
Long term care is often required when an individual requires regular assistance
with day-to-day functions.
Legislators are eligible to join the Maine State Credit Union.