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Rep. John Picchiotti, who serves as Board Chair at KSW FCU, presented a Legislative Sentiment recognizing Maine's credit unions to Todd Mason, President of the Maine CU League, at CU Day at the State House.
"With more than one-third of the Maine Legislature turning over every two years, there is a constant, two-way education process. We spend significant time getting to know legislators and helping them to understand our issues, our role and our priorities, and they have to do the same for us. When we have a credit union volunteer that is serving as a legislator, it significantly reduces the amount of time we have to spend educating them about credit unions, the impact of a bill, etc. We are fortunate to have a number of legislators that are CU volunteers or who have close CU connections serving in the Legislature. It certainly gives us some very strong advocates for our issues right out of the gate," stated Elise Baldacci, Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Maine Credit Union League.
Baldacci said that so much of the legislative process involves building and strengthening relationships and having CU volunteers who are already familiar with the League and credit unions benefits "how we allocate our time and messages in Augusta."
The current 128th Maine Legislature not only has nearly ten legislators who are either CU volunteers or have a spouse that is one but also has one CU volunteer holding a prominent leadership position for the third, consecutive legislative term. Rep. Ken Fredette, who has served on the Board of Sebasticook Valley FCU for more than twenty years, is the House Minority Leader, a position he also held in the 126th and 127th Legislatures. In addition to Rep. Fredette, other CU volunteers or those with close CU connections serving in the 128th Maine Legislature include: Senator Susan Deschambault, a board member at PeoplesChoice CU; Rep. John Picchiotti, who serves as board chair at KSW FCU; Rep. Ray Wallace, a CU board member at Maine Highlands FCU; Rep. Peter Lyford, a member of the supervisory committee at Brewer FCU; Senator Lisa Keim, whose husband, Blue, is a board member at Oxford FCU; Rep. Donna Doore, whose husband, Thomas, is board chair at Capital Area FCU; and Rep. Richard Bradstreet, a former, long-time CU volunteer at Winslow Community FCU.
Luke Labbe, President/CEO of PeoplesChoice CU, said he feels fortunate to have "someone with Susan's experience as a member of our board, and recognizes the benefit and perspective she brings not only to board meetings but also to the Legislature. She is a great resource, and friend to have representing credit unions in Augusta."
Baldacci agreed, adding, "Having CU volunteers serve in the Legislature, especially on key committees, gives credit unions an added voice on issues in Augusta. We appreciate the service that our CU volunteer legislators not only provide to their credit union but to the State of Maine, as well."