Dear Friends:

It is a great honor to serve the people of Senate District 17 in the 127th Legislature. If you have a question or comment about what is happening at the State House, I would like to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Senator Tom Saviello

Tom Saviello

Senator Tom Saviello represents Senate District 17 which includes all Franklin County communities, as well as the Kennebec County communities of Belgrade, Fayette, Mount Vernon, and Vienna.

State news updates

Legislature adjourns for year

After six months of work at the State House, the 2015 session of the Maine Legislature adjourned for the year on July 16th. The Legislature will reconvene for the Second Regular Session in January 2016. If needed, the Senate may reconvene at some point during the fall in order to hold confirmation votes on nominees to state positions.

During this most recent session, nearly 2,000 bills were considered. Among those that passed were a biennial budget that lowers Mainers’ income taxes, removes the income tax on military pensions, lowers the estate tax, and changes the reimbursement policy for general assistance.

If you would like to discuss those pieces of legislation, or any of the hundreds of other matters that came before the Legislature in the past few months, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Out of state firewood banned in Maine

Do you have guests coming from out of state to visit Maine this summer? Make sure they know to leave the firewood behind.

Exotic insects and diseases that pose a serious threat to our forests can move on firewood. Insects and diseases can be in, on or under the bark of firewood or even within the wood itself. You often cannot see that pests are there. While an invasive pest may spread a few miles on its own in a single year, moving infested wood can spread the same pest hundreds of miles in a single day.

Maine fairs and festivals

As it always does, it feels like summer is flying by. However, you still have plenty of time to get to one of Maine’s many agricultural fairs this year. Held throughout the state, agricultural fairs are a great low-cost, family friendly activity.

To find a list of the 24 agricultural fairs held throughout the state, visit: http://www.mainefairs.org/fairs.html .

Open Farm Day

Open Farm Day is an annual family adventure in which farms throughout all 16 counties open their gates to offer the public an opportunity to learn about the business of agriculture. Open Farm Day gives families the chance to visit local farms throughout the state.

Farms around the state participate to commit to ensuring the sustainability of agriculture. Maine’s farming industry has given back to their communities by providing a forum for education and learning in a fun atmosphere. Many farms will have demonstrations, displays, farm-raised products for sale and animals and crops to experience. Activities include barn and field tours, milking, hay rides, petting zoos, nature trails, beautiful scenery, samples for tasting and refreshments.