A Vote For Senator Patrick

On November 4^th, I’m proudly going to cast my vote to re-elect Senator John Patrick of Rumford.

I’ve had the distinct pleasure of serving alongside Senator Patrick in Augusta, where he advocates tirelessly on behalf of workers and our way of life here in the River Valley. However, where John is truly at home is going door-to-door and speaking directly with voters. I’ve visited thousands of doors with John over the years and witnessed firsthand how dedicated he is to listening and learning about the important issues that impact people in their day-to-day lives. He is compassionate, engaged, and truly cares about the future of our community.

At the ballot box this year we’re faced with several challenging decisions. One choice is clear. I encourage everyone to join with me in supporting Senator John Patrick for re-election.

Matt Peterson

Rumford

Peterson Re-Election Announcement 2014

Representative Matthew J. Peterson of Rumford has announced his candidacy for re-election to the Maine House of Representatives, representing District 115. The district includes Rumford, Roxbury, Milton, Sumner and Woodstock.

First elected to the House of Representatives in 2008, Peterson is a three-term member of the Health and Human Services Committee and the Government Oversight Committee. Representative Peterson was recently named House Chair of the Commission on Independent Living and Disability, a group charged with evaluating the needs of Maine citizens living with disabilities and recommending priorities for cost-effective changes designed to promote independent living and community inclusion.

During his legislative service, Peterson has sponsored and passed legislation to grow Maine’s economy, protect the health and safety of Maine students, and promote tourism. Representative Peterson has pledged a continuing commitment to strengthening the local economy through promoting job creation, advocating for a fair tax system that rewards achievement and productivity, and to support government action that creates the opportunity for Maine citizens to be successful.

For over a decade, Peterson was employed in the non-profit sector where he served as a personnel manager in a statewide agency. Currently, he owns and operates a small business. Peterson is a lifelong resident of Rumford and a 1996 graduate of Mountain Valley High School.

“I will continue fighting for our economic future and to preserve our wonderful, unique way of life here in Western Maine,” Peterson stated. “Serving our neighbors in the River Valley has proven to me that we’re at our best as individuals when we find ways to work together. Collaboration is the key to success. I look forward to continuing to work with all of the citizens of District 115, and others from around Maine, to find practical, commonsense policy solutions that push Maine forward. Please contact me at 776.8051, by email at petersonhouse08@gmail.com, or by finding me on Facebook.”

Thank You, District 92!

Thank you to everyone that turned out to the polls to vote last week. Thank you too for granting me the indescribable privilege to continue representing our incredible community in Augusta. I take the responsibility of serving the good folks of Andover, Rumford, Roxbury, Byron, Weld and the rest of House District 92 with the seriousness it deserves.

Citizenship is a relationship between individuals and their government and it demands responsibility on both sides. We are all in this together.  Citizens should exercise their rights – to vote, to participate fully in the political dialogue within their community, and to engage their elected and appointed leadership in a constructive manner. Maine citizens should expect legislators to act deliberately, based on processes that foster public dialogue; delineate the appropriate role for government; elicit the best ideas, and; invest taxpayer dollars in the highest quality and most cost effective solutions that meet our essential needs. Government at all levels must be responsive to citizens – to listen, to understand the concerns, to provide answers, and to be good stewards of taxpayer resources.

With that in mind, I pledge to you to focus my attention and efforts in the 126^th Legislature on a legislative program that—fueled directly from ideas and suggestions from our neighbors—seeks to restore thoughtful, respectful deliberation. This program will be spread over a number of Joint Standing Committees (Legal Affairs / Education / Public Safety) and will revolve around three simple concepts: Participation; Transparency; Value. It’s about making government work for all of us.

Campaign season has ended and it’s time to turn the dialogue from the negative to something more productive and positive. I will be forever grateful for your support and the opportunity to keep pushing forward and fighting for our district and for the future of the great state of Maine. Thank you again.

With extreme gratitude,

Matt

"He listens to all sides and then he makes decisions thinking about the people back here in the River Valley that he represents."

Thank you to Jarrod Dumas from Andover for this wonderful Letter to the Editor that appeared in the Rumford Falls Times this week.

To the Editor:

Everyone wants to talk about cooperation in Augusta – but we don’t see it very often. 

One reason I am voting for Matt Peterson this year is he brings real common sense to the issues. He listens to all sides and then he makes decisions thinking about the people back here in the River Valley that he represents. As a result – sometimes he’s been one of only a handful in either party that has been willing to cross the aisle and vote the best interests of Maine citizens. That’s the kind of representation we deserve.

Matt served on the Health and Human Services Committee – which was the center for many of the most contentious issues that were debated in the last legislative session. Matt was always looking for common ground – and listening to the voices that came from the District. We need that leadership in Augusta for the next session, too.

Jarrod Dumas, Andover

http://www.rumfordfallstimes.com/opinion/story/05dumaslte40

Peterson Receives NRA Endorsement

Augusta, Maine (September 26, 2012) – Representative Matthew Peterson was pleased to learn today of the endorsement by the National Rife Association of America (NRA) in the State House District 92 race for the 2012 Maine General Election. The NRA told Representative Peterson the endorsement “is based on your record of support on Second Amendment legislation while serving in the Maine State Legislature.”

“I am thrilled to receive the endorsement of the NRA in my run for reelection to continue serving the constituents of District 92,” stated Representative Peterson. “The Oxford and Franklin counties that comprise District 92 are filled with law-abiding gun owners and I’m pleased that my record reflects the support that these individuals deserve to exercise their right to keep and bear arms.”

The National Rife Association of America is an American non-profit 501(c)(4) lobbying group that advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights, and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection of hunting and self-defense in the United States.

Representative Matt Peterson is running for his third term to the Maine State House. He is the Regional Manager for the Northern Offices of Alpha One, Maine’s Center for Independent Living, where he has been employed for the past 10 years. Peterson is a former board member of Community Concepts, Inc. and Western Maine Community Action. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Rumford Polar Bears, the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, River Valley Rotary, and a member of the St. Athanasius and St. John’s Church/Parish of the Holy Savior. A small business owner, Matt is an avid fan of mixed martial arts, amateur wrestling and boxing. He lives with his fiancé and her four children in Rumford.

District 92 includes Madrid, Rangeley Plantation, Sandy River Plantation and Weld in Franklin County along with Andover, Byron, Roxbury and Rumford in Oxford County.

Running for Reelection

On November 6, 2012, I will be seeking reelection to continue serving the constituents of Maine State House District 92.

The last year in Augusta has been challenging on many levels.  Our state continues to face economic stagnation and we seem to be having a difficult time finding the consensus on the best ways forward.  While we must make sure that our budget is manageable and reflects our priorities and values as Maine citizens, it is unlikely that we can cut our way to prosperity – especially if it means jeopardizing our safety or our health.  I pledge to continue to work hard on your behalf to find smart solutions to the problems facing our state.

In the last legislative session, I was proud of the range of legislative initiatives I was able to sponsor and pass.  We passed unanimously a bill to redesign Long Term Care services in Maine for our seniors and people with a disability.  Reducing administrative costs and emphasizing personal and family responsibility in home based settings were the foundations of the approach.  It is now providing the foundation for booking millions of dollars of savings without reducing essential services.  That’s what I think is making government work smart on behalf of every citizen.

In addition to that major initiative, I was able to sponsor and pass bills to grow our economy – Maple Products Marketing and the reintroduction of professional boxing – as well as a measure to protect the safety and privacy of our children by removing a mandate for the collection of Social Security numbers.  I worked hard to find a compromise on the issue of wind power development, insuring that the health and safety concerns will be addressed in a systematic and factual manner.  All of these initiatives as well as others I sponsored succeeded because I have been able to work effectively with all my fellow legislators, not just the ones from my own party.

I've been honored to serve District 92 in the Maine Legislature guided by simple principles--working collaboratively for you to create results and invest resources wisely. During the time that I have had the privilege of serving you, I have avoided petty partisanship and political theatre--instead staying focused on innovating and implementing commonsense solutions by Mainers for Mainers. In short, I believe that you elected me to get things done, and I would be grateful to continue that work.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you. I look forward to continuing to earn your support as the Representative from District 92.

Facing the Difficult Budget Choices

Last week, I spent four days in Augusta learning about Governor LePage’s proposed plan to close an estimated $120 million shortfall in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) budget. During that time, I listened to Commissioner Mary Mayhew, several of her DHHS staff, and hundreds of Maine citizens testify on the impact that these proposed cuts would have on their lives. I drove back home to Rumford from Augusta each night humbled by what I had heard during those intense days of testimony and presentation.

There is no doubt that we face serious budget challenges. During an era of unprecedented economic prosperity, we started down a path to expand health care coverage and services to thousands of our Maine neighbors. Unfortunately, with the massive economic dislocation caused by a global economic recession, that expansion seems unsustainable as revenues continue to decline even as demand for services, and their costs, continue to rise. Something must be done; this is not a situation that can be ignored, nor will it just go away of its own accord. Difficult decisions, based on all the facts and realistic priorities, must be made in the coming days and weeks.

The testimony by Maine citizens last week was very sobering. We heard stories from our neighbors and members of the community concerning the circumstances they face and the impacts that these significant cuts will have on their health and ultimately their lives. The impact of these cuts will not be theoretical -- they will impact thousands of individuals and families -- not just those who receive the services, but those who provide the services as well. It means all of us and our communities will feel the effect of these cuts to some extent or another.

With that in mind, we must make these difficult decisions armed with facts. Therefore, here are the central concerns that I have and which must be answered before I will be able to support any budget initiative -- regardless of who proposes it.

1. What is the actual size of the budget shortfall?
2. Will any of these program eliminations violate federal statutes or rules thus requiring that we reinstitute them?
3. Will elimination of certain services create greater demand for the remaining ongoing services, erasing projected budget savings while creating dislocation for consumers and their families, workers, and providers?
4. What is the direct economic impact of these proposed program eliminations? How many workers will be laid off as a result of these cuts? How many providers will be put out of business? What are the stranded costs from unused facilities caused by these actions?
5. What is the indirect economic impact on our communities? Given the widespread and sizable nature of these reductions, what will be the secondary economic impacts on Maine communities? How many more people may lose their jobs or their livelihood?
6. How will these changes impact the availability, quality and cost of medical and social services for all Maine citizens?
7. What is the plan for and the timeframe of the transition of MaineCare recipients, workers, and providers as services are eliminated or reduced?

Without answers to these questions, the Legislature cannot make reasonable, albeit difficult, budget decisions.

Since I was elected three years ago, I have been working to make our human services and particularly MaineCare more sustainable and more affordable. There are changes that can be made that will reduce costs. There may be many unnecessary costs and programs that can be identified and eliminated. We may need to look closely at our priorities and eligibility standards, but we must do that work mindful of the impacts these changes will make in the lives of our neighbors.

One of my legislative colleagues is fond of reminding us all that we have a constitutional responsibility to have a balanced budget. I have read Maine’s Constitution and he is correct. There is one place where the Legislature is required to produce a balanced budget. However, there are many more places where we are directed to guard the health, safety and welfare of all Maine citizens. Both of these are constitutional mandates, and I will work to ensure we meet them both.

I have appreciated the many e-mails and calls I have gotten on this very important subject. I encourage you to pay attention to the issues as they emerge over the next days and weeks, and let me know your thinking. I will continue to work to find a way through to a budget that represents our core values as Maine citizens.