As the 130th Session of the Maine State Legislature kicks off, PenBayPilot.com has reached out to each area state legislator to see what is at the forefront of the minds for each of them.

With the commencement of the 130th Session of the Maine State Legislature, Senator Glenn “Chip” Curry, D-Belfast, is entering his first term as a state senator, poised to do all he can to improve the future for Waldo County’s youth, as well as providing necessary assistance to veterans, disabled individuals and to the self-employed. 

Representing Senate District 11, Sen. Curry represents the Waldo County communities of Belfast, Belmont, Brooks, Burnham, Frankfort, Freedom, Islesboro, Jackson, Knox, Liberty, Lincolnville, Monroe, Montville, Morrill, Northport, Palermo, Prospect, Searsmont, Searsport, Stockton Springs, Swanville, Thorndike, Troy, Unity, Waldo, and Winterport.

Sen. Curry has identified three priorities for his inaugural legislative session: economic stabilization and recovery; health care and quality of life issues; and increasing access to education and training that prepares people for good-paying jobs. 

Ahead of the December deadline to submit legislation, Sen. Curry requested eight pieces addressing the establishment of an unemployment program for gig workers, seeking increased access to community college programs in Waldo County, strengthening the state’s apprenticeship program, and supporting older youth preparing to transition out of foster care. 

With President Joe Biden poised to place more emphasis on combatting climate change, Sen. Curry acknowledged Maine lawmakers will be tackling the issue through the Legislature.

“Protecting our environment and natural resources here in Maine is essential to building a strong, modern economy with good-paying jobs, as well as maintaining our way of life,” he said. “We have the potential to develop more jobs in renewable energy and energy conservation.” 

In fact, the Legislature will be contemplating a few bills emerging from Governor Janet Mills’ Climate Council, as noted by Sen. Curry. 

“The challenge before the Legislature is to pass bold enough steps to reach our carbon reduction goals and do so in a way that strengthens our communities and families,” said Sen. Curry. 

For his inaugural committee assignment, Sen. Curry will serve as the Senate Chair for the Innovation Development Economic Advancement and Business Committee (IDEA), and will also serve as a member of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, working to protect and promote Maine’s heritage industries and hobbies such as hunting, fishing and boating.

“I requested to serve on [the IDEA] Committee because I know that so much of our quality of life depends upon our environment, our community institutions, and the strength of our economy,” said Sen. Curry. “Having high-quality, good-paying jobs in our communities really does matter. Too often when people think of economic development, they think of urban projects. I want to make sure the rural areas of our state are well represented and strengthened by effective economic development strategies that support our local community priorities.”

Despite the division seen around the nation, Sen. Curry sees the variety of backgrounds and perspectives each lawmaker brings to the table will yield bipartisan results, and that state lawmakers will continue to be influenced by the goal of continuing to, indeed, make Maine the way life should be. 

“Here in Maine, we are known for being independent thinkers, and there is a great diversity of thought within and between the parties,” he said. “I believe that our different perspectives give us strength. My work with all my colleagues involves a lot of listening and seeking opportunities to work together on issues that matter. On my committee, we all agree that Mainers deserve a stronger economy and good jobs that pay the bills. Yes, we will disagree and sometimes passionately so, but that shared vision is a powerful motivator to find ways to work together.” 

In preparation for his inaugural term, Sen. Curry has been focusing on educating himself in three key areas: the evolving situation in Waldo County, the mechanics of legislating, and understanding deeply what works in economic and workforce development.

“I continue to reach out to local leaders to ground myself in what is really going on here in Waldo County,” he said. “I am keeping a particularly close eye on how our businesses, schools, towns and health care institutions are navigating the continued challenges of the pandemic. To strengthen my skills as a legislator, I’ve essentially designed my own crash course.” 

Sen. Curry has attended non-partisan workshops for legislators such as “Law 101” and “Policy Leaders Academy,” in addition to meeting with colleagues with more seniority. 

“To orient me and the rest of the IDEA Committee on the state of the workforce and economic development, I’ve invited many of the statewide leaders in this sector to our committee to share their ideas,” Sen. Curry commented. “Their presentations are fascinating and can be found on our committee website. My early take-away is that there are amazing projects being led by smart, passionate people right here in Maine. We just need to expand their impact to all parts of Maine.”