State Sen. Eric Brakey, an Auburn Republican, got the job he was hoping for in the new legislative session.
Brakey will continue as the Senate chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, a perch that allows him to delve into the details of welfare and other issues in which he has a keen interest.
“I look forward to returning in my role” as the panel’s co-chair, Brakey said.
He said he will continue working to reform Maine’s broken welfare system.
“We must focus our limited resources on Maine’s most vulnerable, our seniors and the disabled, not those who are abusing the system,” he said.
Democrat Nate Libby of Lewiston was tapped as a member of the Government Oversight Committee. He is also the assistant minority leader.
In addition to his committee leadership, Brakey will serve on the Marine Resources Committee.
Senate President Michael Thibodeau issued the joint committee assignments Friday.
The committee assignments made Friday were:
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Paul T. Davis Sr. Chair (R-Piscataquis)
Thomas B. Saviello (R-Franklin)
James F. Dill (D-Penobscot)
Appropriations and Financial Affairs
James M. Hamper, Chair (R-Oxford)
Roger J. Katz (R-Kennebec)
Catherine Breen (D-Cumberland)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Kimberley C. Rosen, Chair (R-Hancock)
Scott W. Cyrway (R-Kennebec)
G. William Diamond (D-Cumberland)
Education and Cultural Affairs
Brian D. Langley, Chair (R-Hancock)
Joyce A. Maker (R-Washington)
Rebecca J. Millett (D-Cumberland)
Energy, Utilities and Technology
David Woodsome, Chair (R-York)
Andre E. Cushing III (R-Penobscot)
Mark N. Dion (D-Cumberland)
Environment and Natural Resources
Thomas B. Saviello, Chair (R-Franklin)
Amy F. Volk (R-Cumberland)
Geoffrey M. Gratwick (D-Penobscot)
Government Oversight
Roger J. Katz, Chair (R-Kennebec)
Paul T. Davis Sr. (R-Piscataquis)
Thomas B. Saviello (R-Franklin)
Nathan L. Libby (D-Androscoggin)
G. William Diamond (D-Cumberland)
Geoffrey M. Gratwick (D-Penobscot)
Health and Human Services
Eric L. Brakey, Chair (R-Androscoggin)
Roger J. Katz (R-Kennebec)
Benjamin M. Chipman (D-Cumberland)
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Scott W. Cyrway, Chair (R-Kennebec)
David C. Woodsome (R-York)
Michael E. Carpenter (D-Aroostook)
Insurance and Financial Services
Rodney L. Whittemore, Chair (R-Somerset)
Dana L. Dow (R-Lincoln)
Brownie Carson (D-Cumberland)
Judiciary
Lisa Keim, Chair (R-Oxford)
Rodney L. Whittemore (R-Somerset)
Dawn Hill (D-York)
Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Amy F. Volk, Chair (R-Cumberland)
Brian D. Langley (R-Hancock)
Shenna L. Bellows (D-Kennebec)
Marine Resources
Joyce A. Maker, Chair (R-Washington)
Eric L. Brakey (R-Androscoggin)
Eloise A. Vitelli (D-Sagadahoc)
State and Local Government
Paul T. Davis Sr. Chair (R-Piscataquis)
Lisa Keim (R-Oxford)
Susan A. Deschambault (D-York)
Taxation
Dana L. Dow, Chair (R-Lincoln)
Andre E. Cushing III, (R-Penobscot)
Justin M. Chenette (D-York)
Transportation
Ronald F. Collins, Chair (R-York)
Kimberley C. Rosen (R-Hancock)
David R. Miramant (D-Knox)
Veterans and Legal Affairs
Garrett P. Mason, Chair (R-Androscoggin)
Ronald F. Collins (R-York)
Michael E. Carpenter (D-Aroostook)
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