Frosh lawmakers get tips before taking office

AUGUSTA – Don’t put in too many bills. Make sure you return phone calls. Don’t introduce off-the-wall legislation. And when you go to the supermarket, buy a gallon of ice cream first.

Those were some of the tips offered Wednesday to freshmen entering the Maine Senate and House after last week’s elections. Of Maine’s 186 legislators, 56 are brand new to the State House and several others are returning after a hiatus or switching houses. They’ll be sworn in to office Dec. 3.

The “freshman orientation” for new lawmakers covered everything from bill filing and legislative pay to parking rules and Capitol security.

The departing Senate president, Beth Edmonds, urged the freshmen to avoid a freshman mistake: getting carried away and submitting too many bills.

“Don’t put in too many bills! Don’t put in too many bills!” said the Freeport Democrat, repeating herself for emphasis. “I’ve done the too many. It’s not a good idea.”

With more than 2,000 bills per two-year session usually submitted, it’s important to avoid redundancy, said Edmonds. Rather than see repeat bills die in committee, it’s a good idea to find lawmakers with the same idea and work together, she suggested. In the past, about 40 percent of the bills submitted have been killed in committee, lawmakers were told.

Finally, she said, young legislators need to know when to say no.

“When your constituent comes to you with an idea that’s absolutely off the wall, do your best to say no,” said Edmonds.

Glenn Cummings, the Portland Democrat who’s finishing up as House speaker, said it’s important to return phone calls, noting that many people base their confidence in the Legislature on how responsive their representatives are. In his case, Cummings got so many calls during his eight years in office that he had an extra phone line put into his house.

“They’re going to know your phone number and they’re going to know your e-mail address and they’re going to call you about absolutely everything,” said Edmonds, who shared the House rostrum with Cummings.

Cummings offered some tongue-in-cheek advice for lawmakers when they venture to the supermarket: Buy ice cream first. The constituent, seeing the ice cream getting soft, will cut the conversation short, Cummings said. Then, take it back to the freezer and get another carton.

Wednesday’s session wasn’t all lighthearted or how-to. New lawmakers were reminded that they face significant budget challenges, with a shortfall of about $150 million in the present fiscal year and an even larger hole expected to appear for the two-year budget cycle starting July 1.

“I think we’re leaving you with more than you’re going to want to handle,” Cummings said.

Freshmen did not appear daunted.

Rep.-elect Jane Knapp, R-Gorham, said lawmakers are going to have to trust state department heads to recommend reasoned budget cuts and work from there.

“Everyone’s going to have to tighten their belt,” said Knapp.

Rep.-elect Jeffery McCabe, D-Skowhegan, said he sees the budget challenges as “an uphill battle. It’s going to take a lot of time. It’s also going to take some reaching across the aisle.”

Rep.-elect Leslie Fossel was philosophical.

“In the state of Maine, if you’re going to accomplish something it’s going to take time, money and skill. And we’ve pretty much run out of money, so we’re going to have to use more time and skill,” the Alna Republican said.