Dear Friend of MCV,

We wanted to share a quick report back with you after a roller coaster of a day that began with the Maine House failing to sustain the Governor’s veto of LD 2004 - a truly heartbreaking moment for fairness and justice for the Wabanaki Nations.

Ambassador Maulian Bryant of the Penobscot Nation and President of the Wabanaki Alliance board of directors shared the statement below. Read the full press release from the Wabanaki Alliance here. [[link removed]]

“In the last 43 years, there has not been a Democrat, Republican, or Independent Governor who has supported the tribes. But for the first time in over four decades, we had Republicans, Democrats, and Independents vote to change the Settlement Act and place legislation on a Governor’s desk. Unfortunately, we were not able to override the Governor. For thousands of years, we have been here. For hundreds of years, we have fought for our survival and identity. And we will continue to do so. Patience and determination are nothing new to us. Waiting a few more years for a new Governor is what we will do if we must. We were here long before Governor Mills and we will be here long after she leaves office.”

Here at MCV, we are committed to working with our allies in the Wabanaki Alliance to keep pushing forward proposals (including LD 2007, which will be carried over into the next legislative session) to give the Wabanaki Nations the same rights as the other 570 federally recognized tribes in the United States.

Later in the day, solar power secured a victory when the Senate voted down LD 1347 by a vote of 20-12. LD 1347 would have set back Maine’s clean energy progress by effectively eliminating community solar and subjecting all solar customers to retroactive rate changes. The Senate instead advanced LD 1986 – which makes important, cost-effective reforms to Maine’s Net Energy Billing program while supporting access to affordable clean energy – and, just before 9 pm, the House concurred.

Thank you to the hundreds of you who keep showing up for Maine’s environment, for equity and justice, and for our climate future. Whether by sending emails, coming to the State House, signing petitions, or finding other ways to let your lawmakers know that you care – you are all part of MCV’s wonderful community of supporters and advocates.

Onward!

Meghan Hurley | she/her
Communications Manager
Maine Conservation Voters
[email protected] [[email protected]]

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