Wednesday, September 29, 2010

"He is always looking for solutions."

Many thanks to Rumford's Fire Chief, Bob Chase, for this letter of endorsement from today's Rumford Falls Times:

To The Editor:

Having known Matt Peterson for my entire life I have developed a great respect for his knowledge, ideas and ability to work with people.

Over the last two years, it has been a real pleasure to work more closely with Matt Peterson as our State Representative. I cannot remember another state representative who has been so consistent in attending Selectman's meetings, talking with the Town's staff and leaders and looking for opportunities to move forward our agenda in Rumford.

Matt is a listener -- he makes a point to ask your opinion. He is more interested in trying to hear about the challenges we face then the things he is doing. He is always looking for solutions. I find that approach very refreshing.

Matt understands the River Valley. He has lived here all his life except for a few years while he was attending college. We are lucky to have him, and I hope all my friends and neighbors will join me in voting for Matt in November and sending him back to represent us in Augusta.

Robert Chase, Rumford

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Testimony in Support of the Rules for the Mixed Martial Arts Authority of Maine

Yesterday in Augusta was the rule making proceeding of the Mixed Martial Arts Authority of Maine to adopt new rules as required by Title 8 MRSA §523 relating to Mixed Martial Arts competitions/contests, including but not limited to rules designed to protect the health and safety of authorized participants and the integrity of the competition. Below is my testimony in support of the proposed rule.
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Chairman Bouffard and Members of the Mixed Martial Arts Authority of Maine, I am Matt Peterson, proud to represent District 92 in the Maine House of Representatives, which includes the towns of Andover, Byron, Roxbury, Rumford, Weld and plantations of Rangeley and Sandy River plus the unorganized territories of West Central Franklin and Madrid Township. I am here today to speak in favor of the adoption of the rules to govern the sport of mixed martial arts here in Maine.

To begin with, I’d like to applaud you all for your service on this board. As the prime sponsor of the bill that created the Mixed Martial Arts Authority of Maine, I have closely followed your work over the last nine months. You’ve met early, and you’ve met often, and you’ve approached the work of rulemaking with the diligence and attention to detail that it requires.

Our goals when my legislative colleagues and I set out to find a way to bring the sport of mixed martial arts to Maine were very clear. The safety of the sport’s participants and spectators was our highest priority. To that end, we knew we needed a regulatory body in place with strong standards to protect people. We also recognized that we weren’t the first state to sanction and regulate this sport--so we also wanted to see adopted best practices from other parts of the country where shows were already being held successfully.

I feel that the document before us for consideration today achieves these goals. You’ve done the work--you’ve consulted with Athletic Commissions from other states that have successful mixed martial arts circuits and have brought to bear here all the best elements of those programs. I have complete confidence that the rules you’ve proposed for adoption will protect the competitors, promoters, and Maine people that plan on attending these events. I’m grateful for the work you’ve done, honored to be associated with you, and urge quick adoption of these rules. Thank you.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Press Release: SAM Endorses Rep. Peterson

The Sportsman's Alliance of Maine's PAC has endorsed Representative Matt Peterson in his bid for re-election to represent District 92 in the Maine Legislature.

The Sportsman's Alliance of Maine is a non-profit membership organization with 15,000 members and is the largest conservation organization in the state. SAM advocates for hunters and other outdoor sports enthusiasts before the Legislature.

Commenting on this prestigious endorsement, Representative Peterson said: "I’ve grown up in the River Valley, where hunting, fishing and boating are all integral to the lives of so many people -- including my own family. We live in a beautiful part of the state and I remain committed to preserving the natural resources of the area and to ensuring access for sports men and women who contribute to our economy.”

"We will be facing many difficult choices in the upcoming Legislative session and the pressures on our budget will be intense,” Peterson said. “Given those pressures, I will pay particular attention to the bills pertaining to our outdoor recreation and sporting heritage including -- the Inland Fisheries & Wildlife budget, milfoil prevention, firearms safety education, fish hatcheries and access to stocked waterways."

Matt Peterson is running for re-election to the House of Representatives for District 92 which includes Andover, Byron, Roxbury, Rumford, Weld and Plantations of Rangeley and Sandy River, plus the unorganized territories of West Central Franklin and Madrid Township. He is completing his first term and serves on the Health and Human Services Committee.

For further information, call 776-8051 or the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine at 622-5503.

"In tune with Mainers"

From today's Sun Journal:

“I will keep pushing forward for you on jobs, reasonable state spending, educating our children, keeping the services for our most vulnerable neighbors, and protecting this wonderful state of Maine.”

That statement by Matt Peterson, seeking re-election as state representative in District 92, focuses on issues that are very important to all Mainers.

Peterson first points to jobs, which Republicans nationwide have reduced through their devastating great recession. He also points to education that is so important to jobs in our state. And he understands that spending must be reasonable.

He also notes “services for our most vulnerable neighbors,” which means maintaining Medicaid, not only for people, but for the state's hospitals.

Last, “protecting this wonderful state of Maine,” a value that we all share, work to conserve and defend.

I support Matt Peterson, a Mainer who is in tune with Mainers.

Tom Fallon, Rumford

http://www.sunjournal.com/letters/story/914463

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

"Matt has all the qualities we need..."

From today's issue of the Rumford Falls Times:

To the Editor:

I am writing in support of Matt Peterson's re-election. Matt has all the qualities we need in our representatives -- a strong belief in citizen participation, a willingness to listen, and the intelligence to find solutions. We need more people like Matt in Augusta."

Steve Thurston

Friday, September 17, 2010

Endorsed by SAM

I was pleased to earn the endorsement of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine (SAM) in my race for re-election. Some candidates disregard the endorsement process and dismiss it as unimportant, but I don't share that opinion. Earning the SAM endorsement demonstrates that my voting record in the last session and my positions on the issues line up with the thinking of this important advocacy group -- one with lots of members in the River Valley. I am proud to have been endorsed by SAM, and I have sought the endorsement of other groups that are important to River Valley voters. The most important endorsement will be November 2nd, when I hope that the majority of District 92 voters will give me their vote so I can have the honor of continuing to serve. Thank you for your support. --Matt

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Summer '10 Update

Although the 124th Maine Legislature adjourned back in April, there is still plenty of work to be done during the off-season and the summer of 2010 has been no exception.

In July I drove to Washington D.C. to meet on Capitol Hill one-on-one with each of the four members of Maine’s Congressional Delegation; Representatives Michaud and Pingree and Senators Snowe and Collins.

The major focus of our discussion was, of course, jobs and the economy. I stressed my firm belief in the need to strengthen our existing manufacturing base while positioning Maine to be a part of the future employment market. There was little disagreement amongst us that we constantly need to be seeking ways to keep Maine’s bread-and-butter paper producing roots intact while simultaneously improving our educational system so that the next generation is well prepared for the science, technology, and engineering employment opportunities for which the demand is always increasing.

Another talking point during my discussions came directly from my conversations with local providers and constituents. I asked each member of our delegation to support the extension of the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP), which is used to calculate the amount of Federal share of state expenditures for services. Extending FMAP as part of the ongoing economic stimulus is essential to maintain the social services safety net for people with a disability and seniors. Given our demographics and economics, many Maine citizens depend upon support from the federal and state government to live independently. I am committed to the most sustainable and cost-efficient service delivery system, but that system must be adequately funded -- and in this economic downturn greater participation by the federal government is essential to bridge the gap as the Maine economy recovers.

I also stressed that now is the time to promote full funding of the federal portion of special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Maine’s public schools are struggling with the impacts of state budget cuts that have reduced state aid to education in light of declining state revenues. One of the largest expenses for schools is the money spent to serve children with special educational needs. This is also a very vulnerable population where an early investment can pay lifelong dividends for the individual as well as society as a whole. When the IDEA was passed, creating specific mandates for states and local schools, the federal government agreed to pay its share of the costs associated with those mandates. That promise has never been kept. The federal government is providing local school districts with just under 20 percent of its commitment rather than the 40 percent specified by the law, creating a $10.6 billion shortfall for states and local school districts. I pointed out that now is a perfect time for the federal government to honor those commitments by fully funding special education mandates for local schools and that H.R. 3578/S. 1652 is an appropriate mechanism to accomplish this funding.

The final issue I raised during our discussions was the fact that as a result of our involvement in two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the number of young Maine citizens with serious disabilities is increasing. We owe an enormous debt to these wounded warriors, and we must make adequate investments to insure that we support them now that they have made a significant sacrifice for their country. Not only must we insure that the resources are available through our Veteran’s facilities, but we must also insure that there are adequate resources in the broader community to support their full re-integration into community life. Simply put, we must invest directly in our soldiers who are returning with some type of disability, but we must also invest more broadly in the communities that will continue to serve them. Such investments will create the largest possible return.

On the last day of my visit to Washington D.C, I responded to an invitation to present at the National Council of Independent Living’s (NCIL) Annual Conference on the importance of each of us as citizens taking a role to access and influence the lawmaking process. NCIL is the longest-running cross-disability, grassroots organization in the nation. This year their annual conference was attended by over 700 people. I was honored to be invited and excited to share with them the progress we’ve made in Maine in promoting systems change in areas such as home and community based long-term supportive services.

I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy start to the school year. With a fresh start comes a renewed sense of hope and new opportunities to succeed. Good luck in all of your endeavors this academic year and I look forward to watching everyone work hard in the classroom and on the sports field.

As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Representative.