Fortman joins Cabinet as new state Labor chief

AUGUSTA – Laura Fortman, a long-time women’s issues lobbyist, was sworn in Wednesday by Gov. John E. Baldacci as the new commissioner of the state Department of Labor, the second consecutive woman to hold the Cabinet post.

Fortman, a Nobleboro resident and former executive director of the Maine Women’s Lobby and the Maine Women’s Policy Center, succeeds Valerie Landry of Old Orchard Beach, who was appointed by Gov. Angus S. King in 1995. Gender was not an issue in appointing Fortman, who becomes the fifth woman in his Cabinet, according to Baldacci.

“I picked the best person,” he said. “I feel she has been an important voice in the community on issues involving increased job training and education to provide workers with greater income and benefits. I thought that voice needed to be part of my Cabinet and expressed at the statewide level.”

Fortman said her policies would reflect the governor’s concern over Maine’s uncertain economic future and emphasize enhanced training programs for the state’s workers while exploring new solutions for health care services currently out of reach for many Mainers. She will also work with the administration in shaping state programs to complement the governor’s goals for greater access to programs offered under the community college program.

“I hope to break down the barriers between state departments to achieve the best results for the citizens of Maine in these tough economic times,” Fortman said.

Fortman was unanimously endorsed by the Labor Committee and was confirmed by members of both parties in the Senate. She will preside over the state Department of Labor, which has more than 600 employees and oversees Maine’s Career Centers. The department also administers unemployment, job safety and workplace safety laws; oversees work force training and education; and gathers statewide labor statistics.