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130th Legislature Senate of Maine Senate District 20

Senator Ned Claxton 3 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0003 (207) 287-1515 Ned.Claxton@legislature.maine.gov

Dear Friends, Thank you for the opportunity to continue serving as your State Senator. Representing our communities in Augusta and getting to know so many of you over the last two years has truly been the honor of a lifetime. This past year, Mainers have faced challenges that we could have never imagined. We have confronted a global pandemic, an economic crisis, and mass unemployment, all while trying to go about our day-to-day lives to the best of our abilities. Unfortunately, these challenging times have not yet passed us by. Even though we see the light at the end of the tunnel with the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, I would encourage everyone to stay strong and do their part now to slow the spread of the virus and prevent further loss of life. In the Legislature, I have been appointed to serve as Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. I am looking forward to taking my experience as a family physician and applying it to my work in Augusta. I will keep fighting to increase access to quality, affordable health care, especially in rural Maine, lower the cost of medications and work to crack down on greed in the health care and insurance industries. As with everything else in our lives, the way we will do our work will also be different this year. We will be doing much of it virtually, and only convening all-together in person when it’s necessary. Our committee hearings and meetings will all be live-streamed and recorded and can be seen online at www.legislature.maine.gov. In addition, folks will be able to participate and testify in these meetings live on camera or by calling into 1-800 numbers. I will make sure that even during these unusual times, the public always has ample access to see our work and to add their voices to the process. I also want to remind you that I am here as a resource to you or your family. Whether you have an issue with your unemployment benefits, need to contact a state agency or just have a question or comment, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can send me an email at Ned.Claxton@legislature.maine.gov or call my office at 287-1515. I know these are still difficult times, but we will get through them and on to brighter days. Sincerely,

Ned Claxton State Senator

Fax: (207) 287-1585 * TTY (207) 287-1583 * Message Service 1-800-423-6900 * Website: legislature.maine.gov/senate

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