AUGUSTA (AP) – Gov. John Baldacci on Wednesday signed into law a bill that will help thousands of Mainers who need to reach health, crisis or human services organizations by providing a central phone contact when they dial 211.

The new law authorizes the state Public Utilities Commission to designate a community services organization to use the special 211 number set aside for access to information and referral services. The PUC must designate that organization within 60 days.

After that, Mainers will be able to call the 211 number 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to access service organizations.

A pilot effort in Washington County is to be followed by a county-by-county phase-in of call services.

Baldacci described the service as one that puts “a real person at the other end of the phone” and commended its supporters for supplementing the work of state government agencies without spending more public money.

State Rep. John Brautigam, D-Falmouth, who sponsored the bill, said a group called 211 Maine has already set up a database of organizations for the new service. It is supported by the United Ways of Maine and the Portland-based crisis support agency Ingraham.

“This is based on a philosophy that we can do more with what we have,” said Brautigam.

The 211 system is one of a series of eight three-digit numbers set aside by the Federal Communications Commission for special information, emergency or access services. One of the most familiar is 911, the emergency services number.

As of last June, 26 states had 211 call centers, according to 211 Maine.

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Task force to prompt discussion about central Maine college issues

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – An executive order issued Wednesday by the governor will convene a 10-member task force to renew discussions of the future of higher education in central Maine.

The action comes amid a debate over a strategic plan backed by the University of Maine System trustees and Chancellor Joseph Westphal to consolidate and increase cooperation among the campuses. Lawmakers from Kennebec County oppose a portion of the plan calling for the merger of the University of Southern Maine and the University of Maine at Augusta.

The president of USM and the acting president of UMA are among the members of the task force, whose mission is to recommend a plan “for achieving quality, affordable, accessible higher education in the Kennebec Valley.”

Baldacci said the USM-UMA issue is among several issues on the table.

“This working group will review the current higher education resources and services available in the Kennebec Valley,” said Baldacci, who described the taks force as “a forum for furthering communication and resolving issues.” Recommendations are due by Dec. 1.

AP-ES-04-20-05 1704EDT