Sen. Bellows to serve on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee
AUGUSTA — Sen. Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester, has been appointed by the Senate President to the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development, or LCRED. Her role on the committee makes Sen. Bellows the Senate Democrats’ leading voice on issues of workers’ rights and economic prosperity for all Mainers.

Sen. Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester
Sen. Bellows worked for an economics consulting firm in Washington, D.C., and was a small business development volunteer in the Peace Corps in Panama. She is now a small business owner in Manchester.
“Mainers deserve a fair shot in an economy that works for everyone —businesses and their workers alike,” said Sen. Bellows. “It’s an honor to serve on this committee, which is responsible for fair economic policies that will move Maine’s economy forward for everyone. I’ll prioritize research and development that will encourage new job creation. And I’ll work hard to support small businesses while protecting workers’ rights. By supporting both workers and businesses, we can grow our economy sustainably and build a more prosperous future.”
LCRED has jurisdiction over the Maine Department of Labor, Workers’ Compensation Board, Maine Labor Relations Board, Maine State Housing Authority and the Finance Authority of Maine.
It also has general oversight of policy regarding wage and hour laws; working conditions including health and safety; workforce development; unemployment compensations; workers’ compensation; labor relations; and collective bargaining. It also oversees business regulation including automobile and fuel sales; professional and occupational licensing; retail pricing; franchising; advertising; business-related credit law; consumer protection; affordable housing; homelessness; economic planning and development agencies; venture capital and trade programs; import competition; product marketing; research and development; technology commercialization; technology transfers; tourism and defense facility conversion.
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