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Joint Order To Create the Joint Select Committee on Prosperity
WHEREAS, the State of Maine possesses unique opportunities for innovative growth; and
WHEREAS,  those opportunities raise issues that are normally placed before several different joint standing committees of the Legislature; and
WHEREAS,  to capitalize on those opportunities, a focused, integrated and long-term approach is necessary to build sustainable prosperity for our State; now, therefore, be it
 
the Senate concurring, that the Joint Select Committee on Prosperity is established as follows:
1. Establishment. The Joint Select Committee on Prosperity, referred to in this order as “the committee,” is established.
2. Membership. The committee consists of 15 members of the Legislature: 4 Senators appointed by the President of the Senate and 11 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House. The President shall appoint 2 members from the party holding the largest number of seats and 2 from the party holding the second-largest number of seats. The Speaker shall appoint 5 members from the party holding the largest number of seats, 5 from the party holding the second-largest number of seats and 1 who is unenrolled in any party. The first-named Senate and House members serve as co-chairs.
3. Duties. The committee shall develop a comprehensive plan to achieve sustainable prosperity in the State. In order to reach that goal, the committee shall:
A. Review recent reports aimed at addressing the long-term growth of the State's economy and the preservation of our quality of life, including, but not limited to:
(1) "Charting Maine’s Future: An Action Plan for Promoting Sustainable Prosperity and Quality Places," by the Brookings Institution;
(2) The final report of the Joint Select Committee on Research, Economic Development and the Innovation Economy; and
(3) The report of the Governor's Council on Jobs, Innovation and the Economy;
(4) "Economic Development Programs in Maine - EDPs Still Lack Elements Critical for Performance Evaluation and Public Accountability," from the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability; and
(5) "Maine Comprehensive Research and Development Evaluation 2006," February 6, 2007, prepared pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 13108;
B. Seek comments and recommendations from selected joint standing committees on elements of the plan that fall within their jurisdictions, including, but not limited to:
(1) From the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on investments in public lands necessary to preserve the State’s quality of place;
(2) From the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs on cuts to State Government enacted since the recession of 2001, potential future cuts and spending limitations at various levels of government;
(3) From the Joint Standing Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development on the proper level of investment in the innovation economy and the format and amount of that investment;
(4) From the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government on investments in municipal infrastructure necessary to preserve the State’s quality of place;
(5) From the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation on the tax structure necessary to support sustainable growth in the State’s economy;
(6) From the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation on the transportation infrastructure necessary to support sustainable growth in the State’s economy, including highways, railroads and port facilities;
(7) From the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on investments in higher education; and
(8) From the Joint Standing Committee on Government Oversight Committee on locating efficiencies and savings in State Government; and
C. Develop recommendations for future legislative action to expand the State's economy over the long term and to identify and address threats to the State’s quality of life.
4. Meetings. In conducting its duties, the committee may meet with any individuals, departments, organizations or institutions it considers appropriate.
5. Appointments. All appointments must be made no later than 7 days following the effective date of this order.
6. Staff assistance. The Office of Policy and Legal Analysis and the Office of Fiscal and Program Review shall provide staffing and clerical assistance to the committee and may, within existing resources, obtain technical assistance from appropriate sources.
7. Compensation. Members of the committee are entitled to receive the legislative per diem as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2 and reimbursement for travel for attendance at meetings of the committee held during the legislative interim.
8. Report. The committee shall submit its initial findings and recommendations, along with any necessary implementing legislation, to the First Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature by May 14, 2007 and shall submit its final findings and recommendations, along with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature by January 2, 2008.
9. Termination. The committee terminates January 4, 2008.