Alex’s Record « Alex Cornell du Houx

Energy and Economic Development

Renewable Energy Investment – Alex submitted legislation to create “Pine Tree Economic Development Zones” to encourage renewable energy investment, which was rolled into a committee bill and is now helping boost economic investment in Maine.

Weatherization — Alex has worked on legislation with the aim to weatherize every house in the state and half of all businesses. He has traveled to the White House to promote Maine’s leadership in this area and sits on the board for Habitat for Humanity in midcoast Maine, where they launched a weatherization and rehab program to weatherize 150 houses in the community.

Brunswick Naval Air Station Redevelopment — Alex is working hard with the region’s delegation to ensure the redevelopment of BNAS brings quality jobs and turns into an economic boost to Brunswick and the region. He worked on legislation to bring the University of Maine’s and Southern Maine’s Community College’s advanced composite program to the Brunswick Landing.

Veterans and Green Jobs – A third of those who deployed with the Maine National Guard did not have employment when they deployed. Alex is working to bring a “Veterans Green Jobs” program to the state, which trains veterans in weatherization and clean energy technology jobs.

Preserve Homeownership and Protecting Tenants During Foreclosure – Alex submitted and cosponsored legislation to protect tenants during foreclosures and help homeowners keep their homes, which is now helping homeowners and tenants across the state.

Rail and Amtrak – As a member of the Rail Caucus, Alex is working hard to bring passenger and freight trains to Brunswick and the rest of the state. Maine recently received 35 million dollars to upgrade the tracks from Portland to Brunswick in stimulus funding because of the work accomplished to make the project shovel ready.

Education

Alex has volunteered in the Brunswick school system for six years as an America Counts and Reads tutor and coaches boy’s lacrosse and soccer at the Brunswick junior high school. He also worked to improve the Maine Learning Results in underage substance abuse and athletic policy.

Alex chairs the Mitchell Institute Alumni Council – founded by Senator Mitchell to give Maine students the opportunity to attend college and further their professional development. The council works to provide resources for Mitchell Institute Alumni and current Mitchell Scholars.

Veterans Education – Alex passed legislation to make Maine one of the only states in the nation that allows any veteran to take advantage our quality higher education system at no cost in conjunction with the 21st Century GI Bill.

Community College Development – Alex worked hard with the Brunswick delegation to bring a bond to the ballot to fund the development of Southern Maine Community College at the redeveloped Brunswick Naval Air Station to focus on composite technology.

Financial Literacy – Alex is implementing a financial literacy program to Brunswick’s high school with former state representative Tommy Davison at no cost to the district.

Environment

Alex is vice chair of the National Council of State Legislators Energy Committee and is a member of the National Council of Environmental Legislators. He worked for a summer on a local organic farm and supports organic farms and farmers’ markets.

Climate Change – Alex currently works on climate change, energy and national security issues with the Truman National Security Project. He traveled to Copenhagen for the climate negotiations where he spoke at an international press conference and panels on this issue and promoted Maine’s leadership through our weatherization and Regional New England Greenhouse Gas Initiative programs. His efforts on national security and climate change have been mentioned by President Obama and recognized nationally in the media (www.operationfree.net).

Preserving Maine’s Quality of Place – Alex introduced legislation to promote renewable energy investment at the Brunswick Naval Air Station and sponsored/co-sponsored legislation to help prevent tarsand oil from entering the state, lead in wheels and recycling of fluorescent light bulbs to prevent mercury from spreading, responsible water extraction, and supported funding for land for Maine’s future, as well as legislation to weatherize every house and half of businesses in Maine.

Healthcare

Alex worked for the Governor’s Office of Health Policy and Finance and has been active in lobbying for quality, accessible, affordable healthcare for everyone at the national, state and community level with the Oasis health clinic.

Dental Care — Alex is co-sponsored successful legislation to ensure insurance companies provide dental care for all children by age one, not age four, as by then their teeth and long term health are permanently harmed.

Physical Education – Alex co-sponsored successful legislation to promote physical education in our school system to prevent childhood obesity.

Family Caregivers – Alex worked on and co-sponsored legislation to protect family caregivers with Rep. Walsh Innes to provide for mothers in the workplace.

Veterans

Alex is a Marine who deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in 2006 and sits on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee. He also sits on the VA Homeless Veterans Working Group and chairs the Veterans Caucus. He is currently taking a commission in the Maine National Guard.

Homelessness – Alex sponsored and passed legislation to evaluate and address the issue of Maine’s homeless veterans and sits on the VA Homeless Veterans Working Group.

Veterans’ Service Officer – Alex worked hard with members of his committee to find the funding to hire a veterans’ service officer in southern Maine as the veteran center was closed there and Cumberland and York County have the highest population of veterans.

State Parks – Alex was successful in providing free access to all veterans to our state parks and historical sites as a small token of thanks and a chance to relax after returning from deployment.

Women Veterans’ Memorial – Alex co-sponsored successful legislation to recognize the heroic efforts of women veterans and provide for a memorial in the State House Hall of Flags.

Military Children – Alex co-sponsored successful legislation to join an interstate compact to make the transition easier for children of military members entering new school systems.

Maine Armories – Alex passed a resolution to request that Congress provide a higher percentage of the funding to operate our armories as our service members are being utilized at a higher level by the federal government. Currently, the National Guard sells property to pay for armory upkeep.

Government & Service

Lobbyist Disclosure and Photos – Alex co-sponsored and worked on legislation in his committee to require all lobbyists to wear nametags and provide a photo of themselves online at the ethics commission’s website.

Native Americans – At the start of session, Alex worked to change the rules to allow our two Native American representatives to have their names displayed with the rest of the legislature.

Strengthening Clean Elections – Alex co-sponsored successful legislation to strengthen our clean election system and make it viable for the future.

Equality – Alex co-sponsored legislation to end discrimination in civil marriage and affirm religious freedom.

Non-Profits – Alex successfully co-sponsored legislation to allow non-profits to hold larger ticket raffles to benefit the community.