We have all seen the headlines about division and debate in Augusta. Over the past six months, Republicans and Democrats under the dome have certainly had their differences that have grabbed the public’s attention.

Today, however, I’d like to share with you a different perspective on this past legislative session. I’ll let you in on one of the biggest secrets in Augusta today: Republican and Democrats agree on a wide swath of issues.

Each legislative day, dozens of bills go “under the hammer” in the State House, this means that they receive the unanimous support of the Legislature. Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, we all agree on a number of core issues that unite us as Mainers.

These issues may not catch the headlines, but they have a clear impact on daily life in our state. Our shared values include bolstering our state’s education system. As a legislature, we unanimously agreed to support a network of school leadership academies that will give our state’s educators the tools they need to succeed.

We also unanimously agreed to reduce regulation and make it easier for public schools to provide local farmers with compost. Republicans and Democrats also stand united against Maine’s opioid epidemic.

As a legislature, we passed LD 353. This legislation ensures that people in recovery are living in sober houses that are safe and sanitary by making sure that recovery residences have a minimum number of smoke alarms and bathrooms per occupant.

This public health emergency does not discriminate based on party affiliation. Every community in our state has been affected by this crisis, and it will take an all hands on deck approach to stem the deadly impact of opioids in Maine.

Regardless of our party affiliation, we have a shared commitment for supporting Maine’s economic success. We also recognize the demographic challenges facing our state and economy.

The Legislature unanimously supported a bill presented by Rep. Chris Babbidge, D-Kennebunk, that will help communities plan for the needs of our aging population. Maine is the oldest state in the nation and that applies to Mainers of every political affiliation. Our aging population will need support, care and accommodation, and Rep. Babbidge’s commonsense bill is one place to start.

In each of these areas there is certainly more work to be done, more bills to be submitted and more conversations to be had. That being said, these bipartisan initiatives show Mainers of every political stripe that their government is working for them.

Nowhere is this bipartisanship better on display than in our legislative committees. Each bill is referred to a committee that holds hearings and workshops to make legislation as strong as possible. Sitting side by side with Democrats and Republicans, we share our concerns, ask questions and have honest discussions about the problems facing our state.

Many committees come to a unanimous conclusion that legislation is either a good or bad option for our state. In the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, for example, nearly every committee report came out with unanimous agreement.

It’s easy to get distracted by the partisan headlines and divisive conversations coming out of Augusta, but at our core every member of the legislature shares the same common goal: improving Maine for our constituents and our communities.

— State Rep. Dan Hobbs, D-Wells, is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives. He is a member of Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

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