Sen. Millett elected as Chair of NEBHE’s Legislative Advisory Committee

Sen. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, has been elected to serve as Chair of the New England Board of Higher Education’s Legislative Advisory Committee. She had previously served as Vice-Chair of the Committee since 2014.

NEBHE was founded in 1955 when the six New England governors banded together in pursuit of academic excellence for their residents and states. The Legislative Advisory Committee, which began meeting in 2013, has three goals:

“1. Strengthen state higher education policymaking in New England;
2. Promote regional dialogue and greater interstate collaboration; and
3. Inform and advise NEBHE’s policy analysis, research, and program activities.”

According to NEBHE, “recent Committee meetings have included discussions on outcomes-based funding, state goals, teacher preparation, financing and funding higher education, and college affordability.”

“The challenges that the Legislative Advisory Committee will be looking at are the same ones facing Maine right now: affordability and access in higher education, teacher pay and preparation, and how local schools are funded,” said Sen. Millett. “I’m excited to share what positive steps we’ve made in those areas here in Maine and I’m interested in learning about other possible solutions from my colleagues to the south.”

Sen. Millett serves on the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee in the Legislature and co-chairs the Maine Children’s Caucus with Rep. Matt Pouliot, R-Augusta. She was also recently appointed to serve on the Maine Children’s Growth Council. Prior to being elected to the Legislature she served on the Cape Elizabeth School Board.

The NEBHE’s Legislative Affairs Committee is made up of legislative delegates and a few additional legislators from each New England state and meets semi-annually.