District: Part of Lewiston

Legislative service: Third term

Committees: Appropriations

Bill record: 12 bills submitted, 2 signed, 1 carried over, 9 dead

Voting record

Budget: For

Tax reform: For

Bear trapping ban: For

Washington County slots at a tribal horse track: For

Stiffer seat belt law: For

Increase term limits from 4 two-year terms to 6: For

While most of the buzz in budget negotiations was over school district consolidation, Margaret Craven was concerned about another item.

Craven, a member of the Appropriations Committee, presided over a subcommittee that looked at health and human services issues. In the end, $20 million was stripped from mental health programs, which is expected to be made up for through managed care systems and stabilizing reimbursement to providers.

Of the 12 bills Craven sponsored, two passed and one was carried over. Two of the bills that died, however, still had significant impact.

An effort by a Lewiston parent spurred a bill by Craven that will require stores selling firearms to get parental consent when selling to those younger than 18. The bill died on the floor, but the issue is still alive, Craven said.

Also, Craven sponsored an effort to prohibit hunting at Range Ponds State Park, by request of a constituent. While the bill died, signs went up at the park notifying people of hunting season.

Legislation by Craven that passed included an effort directing the Department of Health and Human Services to find a plan to better address the needs of people with disabilities resulting from brain injuries, and an act clarifying the definition of autism.

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