Senator Chris Johnson | Maine Senate Democrats

Map of District 20
Committees: Marine Resources (Chair);
Education and Cultural Affairs
Contact Senator Johnson

Senator Johnson is the Director of Information Technology for DeskNet, a technology company with offices in Portland and Jersey City, NJ. He lives in Somerville with his wife, Valarie in the house they built together 25 years ago. He is a graduate of Bangor High School and the University of Maine.

Johnson also currently represents Somerville on the board of directors for Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 and the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission.

COMMITTEE ENDORSES BILL TO LABEL GMO FOODS

May 17, 2013

COMMITTEE ENDORSES BILL TO LABEL GMO FOODS Majority Support “Produced with Genetic Engineering” sticker AUGUSTA— Yesterday, a majority of the Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee voted in favor of a bill that will require genetically modified (GMO) food to be labeled as such when sold. “Everyone has a right to know what is in...

MEASURE TO INCREASE LOCAL FOOD USE RECEIVES PUBLIC HEARING

May 6, 2013

MEASURE TO INCREASE LOCAL FOOD USE RECEIVES PUBLIC HEARING Bill will help schools, others use Maine produced food AUGUSTA— Senator Chris Johnson (D-Somerville) is introducing a bill today that will make it easier for Maine schools to use locally produced foods. “Maine produced foods are healthy and tasty, and using them in our schools helps...

SENATE DEMOCRATS CONDEMN SCHOOL “SCARLET LETTER” GRADES

May 1, 2013

Grading system is a flawed, biased PR-gimmick AUGUSTA—Senate Democrats condemned the “A” to “F” school grading system announced by Governor Paul LePage and Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen this afternoon. “It is shameful that the governor once again divides our state—this time with another attack on education. This proposal does nothing to help students and instead...

LePage Education Budget Rejected by Democratic Lawmakers

Apr 24, 2013

AUGUSTA—Senate Democratic lawmakers released the following comments after the state’s education committee rejected key initiatives of Governor Paul LePage’s $6.3 billion budget, which included a $39 million reduction in school funding over the next two years. “Education is not a partisan issue; we all agree that it is a priority for our state....

A-F GRADING SYSTEM GETS “F” FROM DEMOCRATS

Apr 12, 2013

System emblazons ‘Scarlet Letter’ on public schools AUGUSTA – Democrats on the state’s education committee are deeply concerned over the LePage administration’s new school “reform” measure that assigns a letter grade of “A” through “F” to Maine’s public schools. “This is a plan out of left field. Grades like these are shaming and...

SENATE PASSES HISTORIC ALEWIFE BILL

Apr 11, 2013

SENATE PASSES HISTORIC ALEWIFE BILL Senator Johnson hails unanimous vote AUGUSTA – This morning the Maine Senate unanimously passed a bill to allow alewives in the St. Croix River for the first time since 1995. “The restoration of alewives to the St, Croix River will benefit people all over Maine. Alewives are critical to Maine’s...

Press Herald: Maine bills aim to boost lobster industry

Mar 1, 2013

By Clarke Canfield Read more here PORTLAND — Lawmakers are looking to boost Maine’s troubled lobster industry with proposals that would pump more money into marketing the state’s signature seafood and offer tax breaks to encourage more lobster processing. The moves follow last year’s chaotic fishing season that saw a lobster glut, a crash in wholesale...

Lincoln County News: Local Legislators Hear Town Concerns

Feb 21, 2013

By J.W. Oliver Read more here Lincoln County legislators say they are listening to the concerns of local officials and will work against the governor’s proposal to gut municipal revenue sources. Sen. Chris Johnson, D-Somerville; Rep. Mick Devin, D-Newcastle; and Rep. Bruce MacDonald, D-Boothbay, attended a Feb. 15 forum about Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s biennial...

Democratic Weekly Address: Johnson says, Republican tax policies push costs on to our towns and ask taxpayers to foot the bill

Oct 26, 2012

Weekly Radio Address: Senator Chris Johnson Good Morning. This is State Senator Chris Johnson of Somerville. When I was growing up my family watched the Wizard of OZ every year. Do you remember the scene in which the curtain is pulled aside revealing the real identity of the wizard, a man with no real wizardry,...

LAWMAKERS POSE SOLUTIONS TO LOBSTER CRISIS

Aug 15, 2012

Democratic lawmakers say Canadian protests highlight a “serious economic flaw” in state’s economy AUGUSTA—State Democratic lawmakers are seeking immediate and long term solutions to Maine’s burgeoning lobster crisis. State Senator Chris Johnson (D-Lincoln County) and State Representative Bruce MacDonald (D-Boothbay) have each submitted legislation aimed at supporting and growing Maine’s lobster industry. Tensions between Maine...

Democratic Weekly Address: Johnson says Maine needs leaders who model and reflect the integrity of Maine people

Aug 3, 2012

Weekly Radio Address: Sen. Johnson 8-4-12 Good Morning. This is State Senator Chris Johnson of Somerville. Some speak about the merits of running government more like a business. And in some respects I don’t disagree—government could benefit from taking a cue or two from the efficiencies and strategies employed by many Maine businesses. But one...

Senator Johnson Schedules Community Meetings on Important Law Changes

Jun 19, 2012

Somerville — Senator Christopher Johnson (D-Lincoln County) will host two community public forums onthe changes to Maine law that were enacted during the recent legislative session. The first will be in Waldoboro from 6-8 pm on Thursday, June 28th at the Fire House, and the second will be from 6-8 pm on Monday, July2nd at...