"Every election cycle, some politicians make hay with a proposal to shrink the size of the Legislature. But last week the House of Representatives grew and everyone cheered.

The new addition was David Slagger who doesn't represent a geographical district but the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, a tribe with about 1,100 Maine members.

Maine is the only state to invite tribes to send representatives to participate in the lawmaking process. These Indian representatives can't vote, because their constituents are already represented by other legislators, but they can speak out on issues, provide a different perspective and influence their colleagues."

Get the Story:
OUR OPINION: Maliseets finally get a voice in Legislature (The Kennebec Journal 1/8)

Related Stories:
MPBN: David Slagger, Maliseet, is sworn in to Maine Legislature (1/5)
Houlton Band sends first representative to Maine Legislature (1/3)