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(At a Reception in Augusta are l-r: Jim Lemieux, President/CEO of Sebasticook Valley FCU and Board Chair of your League; John Murphy, President of your League; and Rep. Ken Fredette, House Minority Leader and a Board member at Sebasticook Valley FCU.)
With January's arrival, the First Session of the 127th Maine Legislature officially gets underway. All of the Committee assignments have been finalized and leaders have been selected. For Maine's credit unions, seven legislators have direct connections to credit unions including five credit union volunteers and one employee.
In the Maine House, the top Republican leader is a credit union Board Member at Sebasticook Valley FCU, House Minority Leader Ken Fredette (R), who served in the same capacity in the 126th Legislature. In addition to Rep. Fredette, the other credit union Board Members in the Legislature are: Rep. John Picchiotti (R), Board Chair at KSW FCU; Rep. Michel Lajoie (D), Board Chair at Lewiston Municipal FCU; Rep. Ray Wallace (R), a member of the Supervisory Committee at Maine Highlands FCU; and Rep. Peter Lyford (R), a member of the Supervisory Committee at Brewer FCU. The other two individuals with strong credit union ties are: Rep. Karen Gerrish (R), a long-time employee at York County FCU; and Rep. Donna Doore (D), whose husband is the Board Chair at Capital Area FCU. A number of other legislators are also strong friends of credit unions.
"We are pleased to have a number of individuals with direct credit union connections serving in the Maine Legislature. They bring a unique understanding and perspective of the impact certain legislation would have on credit union operations and members. These individuals will likely be strong advocates in the Legislature on issues important to credit unions and members, and we look forward to their leadership," stated John Murphy, President of your League.