Majority Leader-elect Sen. Pierce follows footsteps, earns prestigious award from the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition
AUGUSTA —Senate Majority Leader-elect Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, today was presented the Elizabeth “Libby” Mitchell Legislator Award. The award is given to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in addressing Maine’s affordable housing problems, particularly within state government.
“I’m grateful and humbled to be recognized with this honor, joining a notable, bipartisan list of former legislators,” said Sen. Pierce. “The Honorable Libby Mitchell was a tremendous leader and skilled legislator. I’m proud of all the transformational work the Housing Committee accomplished in the 131st Legislature, and I’m proud to be following in her footsteps.”
Pierce served as Senate Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Housing for the 131st Legislature. During that time, she led the state’s housing production to an all-time high, including rural workforce housing initiatives, as well as making strategic investments to meet aggressive housing production goals needed to lower the cost of housing in Maine.
The award was created in 2009 to recognize Senate President Elizabeth “Libby” Mitchell, for her work on housing issues as a director of Maine State Housing Authority and as a lawmaker. Elizabeth Mitchell was elected as Senate Majority Leader in 2007, and later elected as Senate President in 2009. Senator Pierce was recently elected as Senate Majority Leader by her colleagues, a testament to the impact of her work chairing the Housing Committee.
Past award recipients include Representative Victoria Morales, House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, House Speaker Hannah Pingree, Senator Chris Rector, Representative Andre Cushing, MaineHousing chairman Peter Anastos, Representative Peggy Rotundo, House Speaker Mark Eves, Senator Amy Volk, Senator Roger Katz, Representative Jared Golden and Governor Janet Mills.