BREEN TO BE SWORN IN TO MAINE SENATE ON THURSDAY
AUGUSTA—Democrat Cathy Breen will be sworn in as State Senator on Thursday, January 8th at 10:30a.m.
During tomorrow’s first full day of session for the 127th Legislature, Senator-elect Breen will be provisionally seated. On Thursday, Governor Lepage will administer the oath office to Breen as required by the Maine Constitution.
Senator-elect Breen defeated Republican Cathy Manchester after a much-contested race that triggered a special panel to investigate 21 so-called “phantom ballots” that turned up during the recount. The 7-member investigative panel revealed that the 21 untraceable ballots were actually double-counted during the recount and that Cathy Breen remained the winner of the Senate District 25 race.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the many important issues facing our state,” said Breen. “Personally, I’ll be spearheading an effort aimed at property tax fairness. The recent trend to shift more and more of the burden for basic services on to property taxpayers is most difficult for folks on fixed incomes. I’m committed to restoring the tax relief folks lost with the repeal of the Circuit Breaker program in 2013.”
Breen has been selected to serve on the legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Breen added, “Another measure that I’m working on expands our alternative transportation corridor with access to more pedestrian and bike paths throughout our state.”
Breen served on the Falmouth Town Council from 2005-2011 and served twice as Chair. In 2007, she shepherded the passage of the Open Space referendum, one of the most successful municipal efforts to conserve local land and wildlife habitat in Maine history. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Spurwink Services, a statewide agency that addresses the needs of children and adults with behavioral health challenges and developmental disabilities. She served on the Board of Directors of Community Counseling Center from 2004-2007.
Breen lives in Falmouth with her husband and two teenaged children.
Senate District 25 includes Chebeague Island, Cumberland, Falmouth, Gray, Long Island, Yarmouth, and part of Westbrook.
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