WASHINGTON – In an effort to draw more attention to rural issues and to promote solutions, both of Maine’s House members have joined the revamped Congressional Rural Caucus.

The hard truth of congressional politics is congressmen from a rural state have a difficult time pushing any legislation beneficial to their state.

The caucus “can accomplish a great deal for the State of Maine,” said Rep. John E. Baldacci. “With only two members representing Maine, we are able to gain strength by working together with our colleagues on areas of mutual interest. By working with my colleagues in the [caucus], we can make others in Congress aware of issues of concern for rural areas.” Founded in the 1970s, the caucus died out and for nearly two decades has remained dormant. The reason for its rejuvenation is simple: rural interests are growing in power.

“The last two censuses have hurt rural America in the House,” said Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., who was a member of the caucus when it was set up the first time. “We’ve lost clout in the House and we need to reassemble this caucus to keep what sway we have. Then we must use that sway to stop the exodus from rural America.” This time out, the bipartisan caucus is being headed by Rep. Eva Clayton, D-N.C., and Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo.

The caucus has nine major goals and each goal will be promoted by a member-driven task force. The task forces will address agriculture and natural resources, combating drugs in rural America, economic and community development in rural areas, education improvement in small schools, energy efficiency, health care access issues, transportation, telecommunications and improving national and international trade from rural producers.

Baldacci is a member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources task force.

“I will be working closely with the CRC on the upcoming Farm Bill discussions,” said Baldacci. “We must attempt to increase and promote value added programs to gain more economic benefit from the natural resources harvested in Maine.” Allen will sit on the Economic, Business, and Community Development task force as well as the Healthcare task force.

“Tom is very concerned about the Northeast Dairy Compact,” said Allen spokesman Mark Sullivan. “He feels that the very livelihood of the dairy farmer is being threatened. His work on the economic task force will insure that Maine farmers will be able to secure the loans and other financial securities that they need.”

Allen’s work on the health care task force will focus on better health service access for the elderly, Sullivan said.

“The elderly have problems getting to quality health care in all rural states, and Maine is no exception,” Sullivan said. “Sometimes people have to drive two hours or more to get to the services they need. Tom will be working to see that this situation improves.”