Legislative Interests
The work of the legislature is done largely through its committees. At present, Maine’s Legislature contains seventeen joint standing committees as well as a number of special committees. Assignments to committees are made by the leadership so I could not say where I might serve if elected. But I believe that my experiences have prepared me to work best in three areas:

• Education and Cultural Affairs
  This committee works on the whole spectrum of educational programs from public school finance to the University of Maine System as well as on cultural affairs, including the State Library and the Maine Public Broadcasting Corporation. Education has been my professional life.
  
• Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  This committee deals with victims' rights, adult and juvenile corrections, probation, and parole. I am an advocate of the Restorative Justice approach for youthful offenders and would like to see its use expanded in Maine. I am committed to fostering a more just and responsible society.
  
• Health and Human Services
  This Committee works in the areas of children’s services, substance abuse, and mental health. A creature of the Children’s Cabinet, the Maine Marks project is the sort of indicators-and-outcomes effort that is essential in order to assess the impact of Maine’s public policies. I would like to see this program strengthened and expanded to better monitor the state’s health and human services.

Ron McAllister
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