Friday was the deadline for legislative committees to report out their bills – essentially giving a recommendation to the Legislature on which ones to pass and which to dump. Most years a huge majority of bills – this year there are some 1,595 – die. With committees having wrapped up their work, it means it’s debate season in the House and Senate. The variety of subjects is colossal, everything from clean energy production and sex offender registry, to alcohol on the golf course and circus elephants.

Welcome back honor

Thursday is “Welcome Back Day.” That’s a day on which current lawmakers invite former lawmakers back as their guests and to be honored. Typically, a lunch is put on for all the lawmakers – paid by taxpayers, of course – with food that rivals the best restaurants in Maine.

Ex-Mitchell staffer is back

David Bragdon, a familiar name to political insiders, has been appointed as the public relations person for Robert Murray, the newly appointed commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.

Bragdon, 41, spent 10 years in Washington, D.C., as press secretary for former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell. He has also worked for former Maine House Speakers Steven Rowe and Libby Mitchell.

Before working for politicians, Portland native Bragdon graduated from Georgetown University and the London School of Economics.

Quote of the week:

“Big brother is out there. Big Brother is not government. Big brother is large corporations messing with our lives.”

– Rep. Sean Faircloth, D-Bangor, speaking in favor of asking voters in a referendum if they want businesses to get their permission before releasing their personal financial information to other businesses.

– Bonnie Washuk is the Sun Journal State House reporter