Editorial: Sen. Hill has powerful role in Augusta
This is a remarkable appointment, and for Hill to be tapped during her first year in the Senate by Republicans enjoying their first rise to power in both houses in 30 years, it is quite notable. We believe it speaks a great deal about her integrity, her background and her bipartisanship.
Hill is a lawyer, a small businesswoman who for 12 years has owned a canine training facility in York, and is a board member of an Aroostook County-based insurance company. These credentials give her a varied perspective on a number of issues that will be coming before the Legislature in the next two years.
Hill is also known for working across the aisle. In candidate debates before the election, she pointed to the nonpartisan work of the Government Oversight Committee on which she served last term, composed of three legislators from each party. She forged alliances with fellow legislators from southern York County regardless of party on such key issues as the Maine Turnpike Authority toll booth relocation in York and the potential closure of the Memorial Bridge.
On the subject of the bridges, southern York County residents will be well served with Hill on the Appropriations Committee. The Bi-State Funding Task Force recommended formation of a long-term maintenance fund for all three bridges, and also wants Maine pony up significant funding in the next biennium for the Memorial Bridge replacement. Who is better poised to make sure the proper funding is in the budget than the Democratic leader of the committee with the purse strings?
We would also be remiss if we did not take the opportunity to congratulate two local House members who also have leadership roles in this new Legislature. Rep. Windol Weaver, R-York, has been named House chairman of the Marine Resources Committee; and Rep. Mark Eves, D-Berwick, whose district contains most of South Berwick, was named House Democratic leader of the Health and Human Resources Committee.
All of this bodes well for our Maine readers.
