Dear Readers,

Last November, we elected Stephanie Hawke, a wife, mother, community volunteer and small business owner to represent us in the Maine Legislature.

Last week, just months into her first session in the Maine House of Representatives, the rookie Republican sat down at Mama D's Mercantile Cafe, sipped on a club soda, and admitted her new job is a lot of work. But anyone who knows her knows she is no stranger to hard work.

Still, the process can be a bit daunting.

“It is amazing how much you don't know,” she said.

Growing up in Boothbay and being the wife of a lobsterman, she is no stranger to the fishing business, so she was pleased to be assigned to the Marine Resources Committee.

While she was familiar with lots of complex information presented by witnesses and state workers, and understands many of the concerns of the fishing industry, she was surprised to learn that some members of the fishing community do not exactly play nice together.

“Who knew the clam diggers and the worm diggers didn't get along,” she said.

She just thought they worked together on the flats. But when the worm diggers and the clam diggers testified on a bill, they got into a heated argument. The committee chairman called security.

An economic development tour for legislators provided another “aha” moment when she learned Maine is a major manufacturer of feminine care products. Proctor & Gamble's Tampax brand Auburn plant makes about 9 million tampons a day.

“Who knew we made tampons in Maine,” she said.

The affable Hawke was not surprised to discovered the legislature is a boys club, a fact evidenced by the location of the facilities.

“The men's room is right there (not far from the House chamber), but you have to search for the women's room,” she said.

It didn't take her long to discover the legislature spends a lot of time chewing over topics that are not on top of a list of things that are critical to the folks in the Great State of Maine.

For instance, last week, the House spent an hour arguing over 16-ounce beer mugs.

“There are so many important things (to discuss) and we are talking about 16-ounce beer mugs,” said the former waitress.

In school, when they tell you how a bill becomes a law, they don't usually mention lobbyists who are all over the state house. And they are real nice to legislators because they all want something.

She was soon invited to breakfasts every morning and cocktail parties every night.

“I can go to all of them. All you have to do is sign up or just show up, but I have only gone to three of them,” she said.

Most nights, instead of sipping adult beverages and snacking on munchies with smiling lobbyists, she opts for a winding, wintery drive back home to Boothbay Harbor.

Then Rep. Hawke (R-Boothbay) turns back into a wife and mother.

“When I get home, I have to fix dinner, take care of the dog, my son, my husband, and take a few calls from the shop,” she said.

Then there is homework to do.

Homework is one of the ways she can keep up with the daily grind. Another way to learn is to ask questions of other legislators.

“I don't want to ask a stupid question, but they tell me there are no stupid questions,” she said. So she asks lots of questions.

Hawke says she listens to anyone. But in the end, she says she will cast our district's vote based on how she feels about an issue, not because someone tells her what she must do.

Well, she was asked, we note that Gov. Paul LePage is turning up the heat on legislators in an effort to get them to support his proposal to restructure the Maine tax system. How is it going?

“Well, it (the LePage proposal) is getting torn apart, a bit,” she said, not tipping her hand on how she might vote on the final bill.

But, she admitted, inside the hallowed halls of the Maine statehouse, many legislators do not appreciate the governor's threat to campaign against against any Republican or Democrat who fails to support his proposals.