Dear John,

This is an extraordinary, frightening, and uncertain time. Due to health risks related to the Coronavirus, the Maine Legislature adjourned on Tuesday, a month ahead of schedule — the first time in my 20-some-odd years of lobbying. The Legislature may reconvene to finish its work in the late summer or early fall, with many big issues to decide, like the bill to grant sovereignty to Maine’s tribes but it will all depend upon the trajectory of the pandemic.

Early adjournment means a lot of things—including cancellation of the Environmental Priorities Coalition’s Conservation (EPC) Lobby Day next week. If we had gathered for Conservation Lobby Day, we would have focused on the EPC priority bills. Here’s where those issues stand now:

• Protecting Water with adequate wastewater fees: LD 1832 received an 11-2 committee vote and was enacted without debate by the Legislature yesterday. It will be signed by the Governor soon. Victory!! One priority resolved.
• Reforming Municipal Recycling to make producers of packaging responsible: LD 2104 was voted by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee on party lines (Democrats supporting and Republicans opposing) and will have final review by the committee before it is ready for the House floor.
• Funding the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF): The $60 million LMF bond, LD 911, was voted along party lines in the Appropriations Committee last week; Democrats supporting and Republicans opposing. The next action is on the Senate floor.
• Designating PFAS as a hazardous substance to access funding: LD 1932 received a party line vote in committee (Democrats for and Republicans against), had initial approval in the House, and yesterday was tabled in the Senate.

While there is much work left to do, lawmakers yesterday enacted important legislation related to the Coronavirus, approving $1 million for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to expand Coronavirus testing at a state lab and to hire more epidemiologists and nurses to respond to the pandemic. They also established an $11 million fund specific to the virus.

As the June primaries approach, the Governor’s omnibus bill gives her the ability to take “any reasonable administrative actions” to facilitate voting, which could include expanding the use of absentee voting to keep voters away from polling locations if the outbreak persists. This is especially relevant to our election work.

Lawmakers also approved a scaled back state budget, which includes funding for a Land for Maine's Future position and more park rangers. Unfortunately, new positions within the Department of Environmental Protection to do permitting and siting work associated with renewable energy projects DID NOT receive approval — a major setback for solar development. And while lawmakers disappointingly did not approve a LMF bond, two bonds will go to the voters in June: $105 million for transportation and $15 million to expand broadband. Lawmakers also delayed the effective date of the single use plastic bag ban to January, 2021.

It’s hard to say when the Legislature will be back in session—if at all—and we’re disappointed to see many priorities unresolved. But if there's any silver lining during these challenging times, we’re grateful that Maine’s leaders and lawmakers are prioritizing the health and safety of our communities . If lawmakers return to the State House and work on our shared environmental priorities, we will be there — and we’ll let you know how you can get involved.

In the meantime, we hope you are able to get outside for a walk, please call to check on someone you love, and, as always, wash your hands.

In solidarity,

Beth







Maine Conservation Voters
295 Water St.
Ste. 9
Augusta, ME 04330
United States

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Maine Conservation Voters
295 Water St.
Ste. 9
Augusta, ME 04330
United States
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