Senator Carol Weston Joins Inter-Branch Forum with Governor, Chief Justice

Weston among Legislative Leaders Joining Discussion on Maine’s Judicial Branch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JANUARY 22, 2007

AUGUSTA – On Friday, January 19, Senator Carol Weston of Montville, the Senate Republican Leader, attended an inter-branch forum at the Maine Judicial Center in Augusta. The purpose of the forum was to discuss administrative plans for Maine’s judicial system.

In addition to Senator Weston, Senator Richard Rosen of Bucksport, the Assistant Senate Republican Leader, Governor John Baldacci, Senate President Beth Edmonds, Speaker of the House Glenn Cummings, Senator Libby Mitchell, Leader of the Senate Democrats, and Representative Josh Tardy, Leader of the House Republicans, were in attendance. A representative of the Democrat Leadership from the House of Representatives was also present.

At the forum, Chief Justice Saufley updated her guests on the efforts of Maine’s judicial system to establish an integrated system of communication, involving branch-to branch communication, and communications with county governments. Other topics discussed were plans to improve and integrate better technology into the office, the allocation and use of office resources and long-range planning efforts of the judicial branch.

Senator Weston was pleased to take part in the discussion, and welcomed the outreach from Chief Justice Saufley. “When all three branches of State government communicate; the executive, the legislative and the judicial; everybody gets a better idea of how government is operating and serving the people of Maine,” Senator Weston said. “These meetings provide all of with an opportunity to learn the best ways we can support each other, and the progress that can be made is invaluable.”

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