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Hello John, Happy New Year and welcome to a new legislative session.
While we anxiously await the transition to a Biden Administration - and remain sickened by those who perpetrated violence and the elected officials, led by Donald Trump, who fanned the flames of insurrection - Maine’s lawmaking has commenced.
In the days and months ahead we will double down on defending our democracy from attacks. A healthy democracy is foundational to ensuring a clean environment and action on climate change.
Take good care,
Beth
Director of Government Affairs
New Year, New Session
The 130th Legislature was sworn in on December 2nd and will operate like no other Maine legislature has in history. This year, all committees will conduct their work virtually, and elected officials as well as the general public will participate in hearings and meetings from their homes or offices. Testimony will be orally delivered or submitted electronically, and for the first time in my many years of lobbying, there is a ‘no paper’ policy (an unintended victory for the environment during the pandemic). In the meantime, the state’s Revisor’s office, which has a new director, has begun drafting almost 2,000 bills submitted by legislators and state agencies.
The Maine Senate, now composed of 22 Democrats and 13 Republicans, has the identical Democratic leadership it had in the 129th: President Troy Jackson; Majority Leader Nate Libby and Asst. Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli. Jeffrey Timberlake is the Minority Leader and Matt Pouliot the Asst. Minority Leader.
The Maine House has 80 Democrats, 66 Republicans and 5 Independents. Ryan Fecteau is the new Speaker of the House, the first openly gay person to hold the poisiton. Michelle Dunphy is House Majority Leader and Rachel Talbot Ross is the Asst. Majority Leader, the first black person to hold a leadership role in the Maine legislature. Kathleen Dillingham remains the House Minority Leader while Joel Stetkis is the Asst. Minority Leader.
When it comes to predicting which bills will actually become law, it's anyone's guess. The state is facing a big budget gap, which means costly legislation will surely face an uphill battle.
In terms of funding a top legislative priority, Gov. Mills plans to use bonds to fund much of the implementation of Maine's historic Climate Action Plan. Success for that funding mechanism remains unclear since last session most bonds did not receive the 2/3rds support necessary from Republicans for passage. Transportation and broadband were the exceptions. Our other top campaigns will focus on the environment ( see below for our rollout event with Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition ) and voting rights. We strongly support Rep. Teresa Pierce’s bill to enact Online Voting Registration, a system 40 other states have implemented. We will also work to help pass Tribal Sovereignty legislation sponsored by Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross.
Environmental Priorities Coalition to unveil priorities on Jan. 22[[link removed]]
We hope you’ll join us on Friday, January 22 for an online Lunch and Learn event with our partners in Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition (EPC). The EPC is a coalition of 32 organizations that we convene to develop a shared policy agenda. At this event, you’ll have the chance to hear about the issues we will be advocating for together this legislative session as well as hear directly from some of the lead legislative sponsors.
Click here to learn more and RSVP. [[link removed]]
[[link removed]] Maine Won't Wait: The state's new 4-year Climate Action Plan
After a year of intense and thoughtful examinations of our state’s long-term climate goals, the Maine Climate Council and Governor Janet Mills officially finalized a bold, new Climate Action Plan to combat climate change and build more resilient communities in Maine. The final plan is available for you to read here.
Implementation will begin this session with new bills from the governor. We expect action on sea level rise, solar siting, green financing, and more!
Gov. Mills has demonstrated bold leadership on climate change despite the significant challenges she has had to confront. Click here to send a thank you message to Gov. Mills now. [[link removed]]
Democracy Reforms
We are looking forward to working with Maine’s new Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, to ensure our democracy works for all Mainers. That's why we are excited to continue our critical work with our amazing democracy partners from last year, including ACLU of Maine and the League of Women Voters of Maine, on a new campaign to bring online voter registration to Maine as well as put into law many of the small but important updates (think dropboxes and expanded early voting) from the 2020 election.
Conservation Voters Action Fund Endorses Craig Hickman for Senate
[[link removed]] Maine Conservation Voters Action Fund is delighted to endorse Craig Hickman, candidate for State Senator in District 14. The Special Election to fill the seat held by Shenna Bellows, who was recently elected as Maine’s new Secretary of State, is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9, 2021. The district represents
parts of southern Kennebec County including Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, West Gardiner, and Winthrop.
Hickman, an organic farmer from Monmouth, recently completed his fourth term representing District 82 in the House of Representatives. During his tenure, he received a score of 100% on our Environmental Scorecard [[link removed]] , consistently voting for bills to tackle climate change and protect our air, land, and water.
Craig Hickman knows our lives and livelihoods depend on a clean environment and will fight to protect it in the state senate. He will also be a strong voice for improving and modernizing our voting systems in Maine.
Thank you!
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