Brian Hubbell Explained

Brian Hubbell
State House:Maine
District:135th
Term Start:2012
Term End:2020
Successor:Lynne Williams
Residence:Bar Harbor, Maine
Party:Democratic
Website:RepHubbell.com

Brian Hubbell is an American politician who was a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 2012 to 2020.[1] He represented the 135th House District (Bar Harbor, Lamoine and Mount Desert) as a member of the Democratic Party. He was a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs from 2016 through 2020 and a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs from 2012 through 2016.[2] He was ineligible for reelection in 2020 because of Maine state constitutional term limits.[3]

Hubbell currently serves as a senior policy advisor in Governor Janet Mills' Office of Policy Innovation and the Future.[4]

Energy and Climate Policy

Hubbell wrote legislation which directs Maine to plan to triple its capacity for in-state renewable energy generation by 2030 in order to match the full value of the state's total projected energy needs for electrical power, transportation, and heating.[5] [6]

Hubbell served on the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee[7] of the Maine Climate Council[8] which is charged with developing a plan for Maine to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to less than 45% of 1990 levels by 2030 and to at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.[9]

In 2003 and 2004, Hubbell served on the stakeholder advisory group[10] for Maine's Greenhouse Gas Initiative which, through Maine's 2004 Climate Action Plan[11] led to the establishment in 2009 of the Northeastern US Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Hubbell earned a degree in Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he did research on solar energy.

At MIT, he designed and built MIT’s fifth and sixth solar demonstration buildings which were the first applications of low-emissivity (low-E) glazing and phase change materials for isothermal heat storage.[12] [13] [14]

Education Policy

Hubbell served on the Bar Harbor school board from 2004 through 2014. He led an effort to shield schools from an unpopular 2007 state consolidation initiative, ultimately obtaining an expansion of the consolidation law to allow Maine school districts the choice of an alternative governance structure modeled after Mount Desert Island's schools.[15] [16] [17] In 2009, Hubbell served as the first chair of the reorganized Mount Desert Island Regional School System which administers schools in the towns of Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, Cranberry Isles, Frenchboro, and Trenton.[18] [19]

In the legislature, Hubbell was a leader on education policy and school funding, serving on the legislature's Education Committee for two terms from 2012 to 2016 and, beginning in 2017, serving on the Appropriations Committee.[20] [21] [22]

In 2014 Hubbell chaired the Maine legislature's commission to study adequacy and equity in school funding.[23] [24]

Originally an opponent of charter schools, in 2015 Hubbell sponsored a bill that ensured that charter schools approved by the state charter school commission are fully funded by the state rather than by local school districts.[25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31]

Also in 2015, Hubbell negotiated a compromise which gave public school teachers greater voice in designing their professional evaluations while keeping Maine in compliance with federal requirements.[32] [33]

In 2015 and 2016, Hubbell led the action on several bills which direct transcript-based credentials for student learning and require that schools offer alternate pathways to proficiency in more rigorous high school graduation standards.[34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39]

In 2017, as part of the state's biennial budget package which added $162 million in state aid to local schools, Hubbell negotiated accompanying substantive changes in education funding policy which increased funding allocation to economically disadvantaged students and incentives for regional school collaboration.[40] [41] [42] [43] [44]

Economic and other political positions

In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hubbell was appointed to serve on Governor Janet Mills' Economic Recovery Committee charged with planning the rebuilding of Maine's economy.[45]

In addition to his sponsorship of bills focused on education, Hubbell has co-sponsored numerous bonds supporting expanded capacity for scientific research and development in Maine.[46] [47] [48] [49] [50] Hubbell serves on the Maine Economic Growth Council of the Maine Development Foundation.[51] In 2017, Hubbell co-sponsored a bill to reverse scheduled increases in the tipped minimum wage; the minimum wage increase was passed via a citizen's initiative in November 2016.[52] [53] [54] [55] [56]

In 2016, following a series of racially charged remarks from Governor LePage, Hubbell called for LePage's resignation.[57] [58]

Personal

In 2021, Hubbell was nominated by Governor Mills and confirmed by the Maine legislature to serve on the board of the Maine State Housing Authority.[59]

Hubbell is a self-employed construction project manager, with experience primarily in public and commercial buildings, augmented by passive solar residential designs.[60]

From 1998 through 2008, Hubbell served on the editorial board of the Beloit Poetry Journal.[60] He is the author of a novel, Seeing Lily.[61]

He is the son of writer Sue Hubbell and is married to the artist Liddy Hubbell[62]

Notes and References

  1. News: Hubbell Eyes Maine House. Levin. Robert. Ellsworth American. February 10, 2012. October 17, 2017.
  2. http://legislature.maine.gov/house/house/Committees/CommitteeMembersJoint?Legislature=129 129th Maine Legislature
  3. Web site: Plenty of positives amid challenging times. Ellsworth American. en-US. 4 December 2020.
  4. Web site: Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future: About our team. www.maine.gov. 2021-10-30.
  5. Web site: Summary. legislature.maine.gov. 2019-12-31.
  6. Web site: Energy bill sails through. 2019-05-23. Mount Desert Islander. en-US. 2019-12-31.
  7. Web site: Maine Climate Council Scientific and Technical Subcommittee Membership List. Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future.
  8. Web site: Maine Climate Council Office of Policy Innovation & Future. www.maine.gov. 2019-12-31.
  9. Web site: PUBLIC Law, Chapter 476, An Act To Promote Clean Energy Jobs and To Establish the Maine Climate Council. legislature.maine.gov. 2020-01-01.
  10. http://maineghg.raabassociates.org/member.asp?grpsort=BF "Stakeholders & Working Group Members"
  11. http://maineghg.raabassociates.org/Articles/MaineClimateActionPlan2004Volume%201.pdf "Maine Climate Action Plan 2004"
  12. Rush, Robert. "Technics: New energy frontiers. MIT Solar 5" Progressive Architecture, April, 1981, p.178-179. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  13. Hirshon, Bob. "MIT's Solar Pavilion - Glass House for a Cloudy Climate" Popular Science, Dec. 1982, p.76-77 (December, 1982). Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  14. Johnson, T.E. and Hubbell, B. "MIT Crystal Pavilion: preliminary performance" U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) (February 1, 1983). Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  15. Curtis, Abigail. "When a school closes in a rural town more than education is at stake", Bangor Daily News (June 21, 2013). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  16. Editorial Board. "School consolidation will take local examples, not just small financial incentives" Bangor Daily News (January 4, 2017). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  17. Hubbell, Brian and Sproule, Judy. "Brief history of school district consolidation in Maine" Mount Desert Island Regional School System, AOS91 (September 27, 2015). Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  18. News: Gousse. Marc Edward, (superintendent). Long Range Planning Considerations. Mount Desert Island Regional School System, AOS91. October 17, 2017.
  19. http://forum.mdischools.net/MDIRSS/board-members "MDI Regional School System board members 2008-2009"
  20. Cousins, Christopher. "Agreement on state aid for schools lasted 48 hours" Bangor Daily News (March 23, 2017). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  21. Cousins, Christopher. "Maine lawmakers propose $30 million in additional education funding without revenue to pay for it" Bangor Daily News (April 24, 2013). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  22. Thistle, Scott. "New state budget sends more money to public schools in Maine" Portland Press Herald (July 15, 2017). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  23. http://bangordailynews.com/community/rep-hubbell-praises-early-education-grant-benefiting-maine-schools/ "Rep Hubbell praises early education grant benefiting Maine schools"
  24. https://usm.maine.edu/sites/default/files/cepare/EPSCmmssnRprtF_1_9_2015Web.pdf "Report of the Commission to Study the Adequacy and Equity of Certain Cost Components of the School Funding Formula"
  25. Hubbell, Brian. "Critique of Maine’s proposed charter school bill" MDIschools.net (May 11, 2011). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  26. Levin, Robert. "Bill aims to cover charter school costs" Ellsworth American (January 30, 2015). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  27. Hubbell, Brian. "Hearing Testimony, LD 131: An Act to Amend the Laws Related to Public Funding of Charter Schools" Maine Legislature (February 23, 2015). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  28. Gallagher, Noel K. "Maine bill would have state fund charter schools directly" Portland Press Herald (February 26, 2015). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  29. McCrea, Nick. "Bill to simplify funding of Maine charter schools backed by education committee" Bangor Daily News (February 26, 2015). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  30. Broom, Dick. "Charter school bill benefits MDI high" Mount Desert Islander (May 22, 2015). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  31. http://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?paper=HP0089&SessionID=11 "LD 131: An Act to Amend the Laws Related to Public Funding of Charter Schools"
  32. Editorial Board. "LePage administration, teachers’ union, a Democrat show compromise is worth it" Bangor Daily News (March 17, 2015). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  33. Klein, Alyson. "Sec. Duncan in Weaker Spot on NCLB Waiver Renewals" Education Week (February 12, 2015). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  34. http://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280055425 "LD 840: An Act To Support the Implementation of Proficiency-based Diplomas and Standards-based Student Learning"
  35. Hubbell, Brian. "Hearing Testimony, LD 853: An Act to Allow Secondary Schools to Grant Intermediate Certificates of Academic Proficiency" 127th Maine Legislature (May 11, 2015). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  36. http://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280055452 "LD 853: An Act to Allow Secondary Schools to Grant Intermediate Certificates of Academic Proficiency"
  37. Hubbell, Brian. "Hearing Testimony, LD 1627: An Act To Implement Certain Recommendations of the Maine Proficiency Education Council" Maine Legislature (March 7, 2016). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  38. Langley, Brian and Hubbell, Brian. "Flexibility, accountability: A better way to chart Maine students’ learning" Bangor Daily News (February 23, 2016). Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  39. http://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?paper=SP0660&SessionID=11 "LD 1627: An Act To Implement Certain Recommendations of the Maine Proficiency Education Council"
  40. Shepherd, Michael. "Your guide to what stands between Maine and a state budget" Bangor Daily News (June 21, 2017). Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  41. Shepherd, Michael. "Start the shutdown ticker if Maine lawmakers don’t cut budget deal Thursday" Bangor Daily News (June 15, 2017). Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  42. Graves, Liz. "Hubbell, Langley present education policy package" Mount Desert Islander (June 30, 2017). Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  43. Goldthwaite, Jill. "Mixed results on legislative front" Mount Desert Islander (July 28, 2017). Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  44. Thistle, Scott. "New state budget sends more state money to public schools in Maine" Portland Press Herald (July 25, 2015). Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  45. Governor's press release. "Governor Mills Convenes Expert Committee to Advise on State’s Economic Recovery" Office of Governor Janet T. Mills (May 6, 2020). Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  46. https://ballotpedia.org/Maine_Question_1,_Technology_Sectors_Funds_and_Business_Loans_Bond_Issue_(June_2017) "Maine Question 1: Technology sectors funds, etc."
  47. http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/sponsors.asp?ID=280051282 "Sponsors of LD 1756: An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Support the Growth of and To Build Infrastructure for the Marine and Biotechnology Sectors of the State's Economy"
  48. http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/sponsors.asp?ID=280048066 "Sponsors of LD 1223: An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Support the Maine Technology Institute's Action Plan Implementation"
  49. http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/sponsors.asp?ID=280055731 "Sponsors of LD 1053: An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Stimulate Investment in Innovation by Maine Businesses To Produce Nationally and Globally Competitive Products and Services"
  50. http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/sponsors.asp?ID=280063274 "Sponsors of LD 546: An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Support Biological Research in Maine"
  51. Web site: Maine Economic Growth Council. Maine Development Foundation. en-US. 2020-01-01.
  52. http://maineelections.bangordailynews.com/candidate/brian-l-hubbell/ "Candidate profile, Brian L. Hubbell"
  53. Graves, Liz. "Dems square off on tip credit fix" Mount Desert Islander (March 1, 2017). Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  54. News: Democrats' split could spur minimum wage change for Maine restaurant servers. Shepherd. Michael. Bangor Daily News. March 1, 2017. 17 April 2017.
  55. News: Dozens of Servers Weigh In On Both Sides of Tip Credit Issue. Miller. Kevin. April 5, 2017. Portland Press Herald. 20 April 2017.
  56. Graves, Liz. "Tip credit bill progresses" Mount Desert Islander (May 17, 2017). Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  57. Hubbell, Brian. "Gov. LePage must resign" Mount Desert Islander (September 2, 2016). Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  58. Editorial. "The governor's tirade" Mount Desert Islander (September 2, 2016). Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  59. Web site: Hubbell nominated to Maine State Housing Authority. 2021-02-27. The Mount Desert Islander. en-US. 2021-09-13.
  60. News: Candidate Biography. Vote Smart. October 17, 2017.
  61. Hubbell, Brian. "Seeing Lily" SparkFlashGap (2010) Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  62. Web site: Writer captured joys, pains of rural America. Baldwin, Letitia. 2018-10-24. The Ellsworth American. en-US. 2020-01-01.

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