Representative Mark Bryant
Rep. Mark Bryant picks up on little things that normally
are taken for granted. He doesn’t let preconceptions get in the way of his decisions
as he listens intently to what people have to say about issues. He balances what he hears
with the research he has done and comes to conclusions based upon his Democratic values.
When he comes up to bat, he brings in the runs needed
because he consistently makes the right decisions that help the people of Maine.
Before being elected to the House, Bryant was very active
in his community. When his children were involved in sports, he coached the Windham Little
League and youth soccer. He attended town and school-board meetings and chaired a
committee whose report on fire and rescue services was implemented by the town. For over
19 years he worked for Sappi Fine Paper and was active in the union.
So how did this happily married father with three boys find
himself in the halls of the Capitol, representing Windham?
“The Democratic candidate for this area that was
running was too conservative. I honestly thought that I could do a better job,” said
Bryant. “I couldn’t sit back and watch someone who didn’t represent the
values of this community become my representative in Augusta.” Bryant’s primary
opponent in ’04 has since enrolled in the Republican Party.
When Bryant, who serves on the Judiciary and Ethics
committees, sees a problem arise in Augusta, he doesn’t pretend that it doesn’t
exist. Instead he meets the challenge head on in an attempt to solve the issue.
Having one insurance agent for Dirigo Health bothered
Bryant. He foresaw problems and decided to take action.
“Dirigo belongs to the people of Maine, not a big
insurance company,” he said. “We need to have other options in place to ensure
Dirigo can continue to succeed.”
Bryant submitted a bill that proposes allowing the Dirigo
agency to explore and develop alternatives for the administration of the state’s
year-old subsidized health insurance product, DirigoChoice. According to Dirigo Health
Agency board Chairman Dr. Robert McAfee, there are other carriers interested in bidding
for the DirigoChoice contract.
“You can’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Opening up the market for other providers or agents is only logical.” Bryant’s
bill would grant greater autonomy and flexibility to the Dirigo Health Agency, taking some
control away from the Legislature. “I had a hard time with that provision, but I am
sure that new language will be submitted to address that.
“The bigger picture of providing health insurance to
the people of Maine will win out. Too much control in the Legislature makes the program
vulnerable to party politics; there needs to be a balance.”
Bryant’s bill, cosponsored by his brother in the
Senate, is a bold and needed measure. There will be those who are not willing to give up
the legislative oversight of Dirigo’s operations. Bryant says he was sent to Augusta
“to stand up for the people of Maine.”
The Bryant brothers will sponsor the governor’s new
self-insured Dirigo bill.
Since DirigoChoice’s insurance provider, Anthem, is
contesting the $43.7 million savings confirmed by the superintendent of insurance, how
Dirigo will be funded in the future is currently being debated.
“While we have been pleased to have Anthem as our
partner and were delighted that they responded to our initial requests for proposals, we
want to be sure that when that contract expires next December 31st, that we assure the
Legislature, DirigoChoice enrollees, and all the people of Maine that every available
option will be considered to grow the program for the future,” McAfee said during
testimony in support of Bryant’s legislation.
Bryant sees his bill as a way to ensure that there are no
interruptions to the health-care coverage of the 14,000 people now enrolled in
DirigoChoice.
One possibility is the creation of a new, state run
insurance company which the governor alluded to in his State of the State address.
Bryant has had success in the past with his legislation
that made it illegal to sell or buy over the internet a product to inhale alcohol. Within
twenty minutes of inhaling the alcohol, a person becomes intoxicated. Alcohol without
liquid, AWOL is legal in some other states and can lead to teenage fatalities.
On another occasion, Bryant heard about a member of the
National Guard who was told upon his arrival that he had to work. Tired, and still in
transition from returning from a military duty, the National Guard member fell asleep at
the wheel and died on his way home from work. Bryant took action and submitted legislation
to allow returning Guard members a period of up to 72 hours before they are required to
return to work.
Looking out for people — being their voice that needs
to be heard — is a talent that makes Rep. Mark Bryant a true leader in the House.
Representative Nancy Smith
Rep. Nancy Smith co-owns a grass-based, diversified farm in
Monmouth, Snafu Acres Dairy Farm, with her husband. While Ivan milks the cows, Nancy feeds
the livestock and takes care of a variety of other farm duties that always keep her on the
go. Inside the house the phone rings continuously with calls on farm business or about
constituent issues. Nancy is constantly taking off one hat and replacing it with the
other. But in a unique way, it all comes together. Smith manages to balance it all.
Without issues on the farm, from raising cows, chickens,
pigs, turkeys, and llamas, she wouldn’t have the experience to really talk about what
small businesses need, what agriculture needs, or how we can move the state forward with
the creative economy.
Smith is always eager to highlight the need for local
produce to be promoted. When people buy from local farmers, they support a long-standing
tradition and help control suburban sprawl.
“It’s healthier to eat local foods, and to buy
from local farmers helps Maine’s overall economy,” said Smith. “One key to
the future of the family farm is to diversify.” Smith married a fifth-generation
Monmouth farmer eleven years ago. Since that time she has been active on the farm and in
agricultural issues.
She became interested in politics while serving as a
director for Maine Farm Bureau. Smith soon realized that a lot of her concerns were shared
all across the state. The next step was Augusta.
She serves as House chair of the Legislative Committee on
Business, Research, and Economic Development. She thought she was prepared for most
anything. But she never imagined as a state representative she would one day find herself
on a plane bound for China. “Although I’ve traveled across this country, the
only international travel I have done before was to Canada, and that is only 500 miles
from home,” said Smith with a broad smile, recalling her adventure. “We spent
three days in Beijing and then three days in Inner Mongolia.”
Smith is bright, articulate, inquisitive, and ready to take
on any challenge. Meeting new people she sees as a way to open doors to more opportunities
for the people of Maine. That’s exactly what happened during her trip to China.
“We met incredible people who just want to improve
their livelihoods. They want to be successful business owners,” said Smith.
“They share the same Democratic principles of raising a family, making a living and
providing for everyone’s needs.”
What surprised her were their agricultural practices.
“The Chinese were primarily interested in improving the genetics of their dairy cows,
but we found in visiting their farms that there were many improvements to be made in herd
management and feeding systems.”
As a result of the trade mission, the Eastern Trade Council
is organizing a follow-up mission, with interested parties from Inner Mongolia traveling
to Maine and other Northeastern states later this year.
“Markets in China are opening up fast,”
said Smith. “It’s important for us to be there at the beginning. Our goal is to
establish relationships with the farmers we met, and create long-term opportunities for
Maine agriculture. It helps our economy to build these cultural connections for businesses
in Maine.”
Maine International Trade Center opened a China desk in
Lewiston to assist Maine businesses interested in pursuing opportunities with Chinese
enterprises, after the ambassador to China visited the governor last spring with an
invitation to visit.
Smith’s astute business sense has inspired her to
submit bills related to strengthening Maine’s small businesses. As a result of one, a
new service to streamline business licensing by providing real-time Internet chatting with
experts in the DECD’s Business Answers program is now available online.
The live chat promises to aid businesses as they seek to
navigate licensing requirements and learn more about available state resources.
“In order to maintain and create jobs, we must
invest in our people, innovation, and small businesses,” said Smith. “Giving
businesses the tools they need to prosper in Maine’s evolving economy is our top
priority, and this program does just that.” |
