A slew of new Republicans learn the ins and outs of the State Legislature in Maine.

From Kennebec Journal:

New lawmakers — some totally new to legislative service and others who took a break or switched chambers — began four days of training Monday that will teach them about the state budget, what’s in the law library, what ethics rules apply to them and what’s going on in other states.

“I’m looking forward to everything about the whole process,” said Rep.-elect Deborah Sanderson, R-Chelsea. “There’s so much to absorb at once.”

Unlike the first round of training that took place shortly after they were elected, these sessions would be more policy-oriented, said David Boulter, executive director of the Legislative Council.

“This week will be a little more substantive,” he said.

The 53 nonincumbent House members out of a total of 151 — and 14 nonincumbent senators out of 35 — started the day in their respective chambers to get some lessons in legislative etiquette.

In the House, one new member wanted to know when he would be assigned a seat. Majority Republicans are still working on that, but would likely be done by the end of the day, said House Clerk Millie MacFarland, who will be leaving legislative service now that Republicans have taken over the chamber.

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