Cynthia Dill is currently serving her first term as State Senator representing South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and Scarborough. Senator Dill replaced Senator Larry Bliss who retired earlier in the 125th legislative session. Senator Dill serves on the Judiciary Committee. Prior to her time in the Senate, Dill served in the House of Representatives representing District 121 and served as a member of the Judiciary and Ethics Committees. Dill also chairs the Broadband Strategy Council. As a leading proponent of the expansion of broadband, Dill was instrumental in obtaining over $35 million of investment that will bring high-speed Internet access to rural parts of Maine and widely expand the potential for good jobs, enhanced educational opportunities, healthcare and public safety.

At the national level Dill has been appointed Vice Chair of the National Conference of State Legislature’s Communication, Financial Affairs and Interstate Commerce Committee, and is a member of the Executive Committee Task Force on State and Local Taxation of Telecommunications and Electronic Commerce. Dill has also been a panelist at numerous national conferences on broadband and net neutrality.

In addition to her legislative and public policy work, Dill currently works as the Director of the Common Cause Digital Democracy Project in Washington, DC, and serving as an adjunct faculty member at Southern Maine Community College.

Dill is an active community volunteer, serves on numerous local boards, and enjoys being a writer and commentator on local radio and television shows.

Dill resides in Cape Elizabeth with her husband and two children. Dill earned her B.A. from the University of Vermont and her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. For 20 years Dill managed a busy and successful private civil trial practice, representing clients in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Maine Senate Rejects Controversial “Takings” Bill GOP-led measure would have opened flood gates for lawsuits and pit landowners against taxpayers AUGUSTA – The Maine Senate through “indefinite postponement” rejected a controversial overhaul of regulatory land-use rules, known as the “takings” bill. If passed, LD 1810 would have allowed property owners to initiate action without going through...

Senate effectively kills bill that sought to remove public access to governor’s ‘working papers’

AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Senate on Wednesday voted unanimously to postpone indefinitely a measure that sought to exempt from Maine’s Freedom of Access Act any “working papers” created by the governor or members of his staff. Sen. David Hastings, R-Fryeburg, who supported the bill when it passed the Judiciary Committee, made the motion to...

SENATE REJECTS GOVERNOR’S SECRECY BILL

Bipartisan support kills measure to keep LePage’s working papers secret AUGUSTA – A measure that sought to shield the governor’s working papers from the public was rejected by the Maine Senate today. Democrats and Republicans voted unanimously against the bill.     “I feel a responsibility and a stewardship, for transparency in Maine government,” said Senate...

OPEGA AGREES TO INVESTIGATE DHHS WITHOLDING OF FACTS

According to lawmakers, “it’s time to repair trust” AUGUSTA—A request made by State Senator Joe Brannigan on behalf of legislative Democrats to investigate the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was unanimously approved by the state’s Government Oversight committee today. Sen. Brannigan presented the committee with a one-page statement and a two-page memorandum on...

Former state official given 3 1/2 years for stealing funds

Source: Maine Today Media, Leslie Bridgers, April 7, 2012   PORTLAND — The former head of the Maine Turnpike Authority was sentenced Friday to 3½ years in prison for misusing as much as $230,000 in agency funds, concluding what prosecutors have called one of the most egregious cases of public corruption in the state’s history. Paul...

Maine Senate OKs Keystone Pipeline Resolution Ahead of Obama Visit

03/29/2012 Reported By: Patty B. Wight Today the Maine senate approved a resolution that urges President Obama and Congress to support the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline. The project would link crude oil from tar sands in Canada to refineries in the midwest and Texas. Supporters of the project say it will lower gas and...

Democrats turn up the heat on DHHS | BDN

By David Farmer, Bangor Daily News, March 28, 2012 For the casual observer, government can get the feel of an ever-lasting partisan slap fight. It’s attack, counter-attack. Rinse, wash and repeat. But not every sharp point is for drama’s sake or intended solely to score political points. That was the case when Rep. Dawn Hill, D-York, smelled...

Governor LePage Proposal to Abolish State Planning Office Sparks Fight

03/27/2012 Reported By: Mal Leary Learn More…. About Mal Leary Send Email Gov. Paul LePage is proposing that the State Planning Office be abolished, and its functions assumed by other state agencies. He wants some of the department’s resources to go to a new Office of Policy and Management but the initiative is drawing concerns...

REPUBLICANS REJECT REVIEW OF CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS “STATE TIME” VERSUS “CAMPAIGN TIME”

AUGUSTA—Republicans in the Maine Senate killed a measure that sought to clarify the roles and responsibilities for Constitutional Officers who concurrently run for higher elected office during their service as Constitutional Officer. Senator John Patrick of Oxford introduced the Joint Order,“An Act to Ensure That the Responsibilities of a Constitutional Officer Are Not Compromised When the Constitutional Officer Is...

Bill to Help Seacoast Communities Meet Public Transportation Needs Advances

AUGUSTA – Legislation that would remove a barrier for a local transit company looking to expand its service to the communities affected by the closure of the Memorial Bridge received passage in the Maine Legislature earlier this week. The bill, submitted to help a New Hampshire-based transportation company expand its service in Maine, would provide...

SENATE ENDORSES CONSUMER PROTECTIONS IN HOME FORECLOSURES

AUGUSTA – The State Senate took initial votes to pass a measure that will give protections to homeowners in foreclosure proceedings, provide more clarity, and streamline the process. The Senate voted 32 – 2 for initial passage of the bill on Tuesday.     “This is a responsible and sensible solution,” said Senator Cynthia Dill of...

Greg Kesich: Senate Dems finally stand up against governor’s overreach

Sometimes the best deal you can reach through compromise is still not good enough. By Greg Kesich gkesich@mainetoday.com Editorial Writer   That sound you may have heard emanating from central Maine last Thursday night was not ice breaking on the Kennebec River. The winter we’ve had, you’d be lucky to find a skim of ice on...