Monday, November 12, 2012

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 126th 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

Friday, October 5, 2012

"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

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

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 fiancĂ© 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.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

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.