Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree establishes new system offering public an opportunity to watch and comment on funding requests

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that over 90 video presentations of requests made to her office for 2011 federal funding are now posted online for the public to watch and comment. The presentations are at www.pingree.house.gov.

“I wanted to make sure that requests to our office happened right out in the open,” said Pingree. “It’s 2010. What better way than to put the presenters and their requests on video and post them online? It literally brings the public to the table.” 

The videos are posted at www.pingree.house.gov/legis/appropriations <http://www.pingree.house.gov/legis/appropriations> and youtube.com/congresswomanpingree. Groups requesting funding were asked to make a three-minute presentation on camera, highlighting how their project would benefit Maine and create jobs. Projects vary from economic development initiatives, to repairing roads, to providing funding for critical coastal research.

Each video presentation has a link for the public to send comments on local needs and priorities to Pingree’s office. 

“I hope people take the opportunity to watch these presentations and I look forward to hearing what they have to say about them,” said Pingree. “If anything, it offers a good resource to anyone who wants to know more about the innovative projects and economic developments going on in our state.” 

To further connect Maine communities with the federal budget process, Pingree held three workshops last fall throughout the First Congressional District—in Augusta, Sanford, and Portland—to offer information on the appropriations process to local organizations, businesses, and municipalities. 

“I think the appropriations process still needs a lot of work to restore the public’s faith in how these decisions are made,” said Pingree. “I want to make it as transparent as possible while still doing everything I can to support the good work being done in our communities. Federal investments present a powerful opportunity to create jobs and spur economic development in Maine.”