Happy summer, paid leave advocates and activists! Welcome to the first newsletter from the Maine Paid Leave Coalition! The MPLC includes over 30 member organizations working for paid family and medical leave in Maine and is organized by the Maine Women’s Lobby. 2023 is the year we are going to make paid family & medical leave a reality in Maine, and we have so much to update you on. 

In 2021 we helped pass the bill that created Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Commission. The Commission has been meeting with the leadership of Chairs Sen. Daughtry of Brunswick and Rep. Cloutier of Lewiston. They took testimony, completed a worker and employer survey, and heard from national and state partners (see our coalition’s presentation here). This month, they expect the final report on the total costs of a program. They will use that information to develop a plan for PFML in Maine, and report to the Legislature in early November.   

We are excited to pass PFML through the Legislature next session, but we know we have an election and a long process between now and then. That is why two of our Coalition partners, Maine People’s Alliance and Maine Women’s Lobby, have filed papers to move a people’s referendum for PFML in November of 2023. This gives us two chances to make PFML a reality next year, and we couldn’t be more excited.  

New Website! 

The Maine Paid Family Leave Coalition's  website has a new look! The updated site offers easy access to information about paid family medical leave in Maine and includes stories, updates and ways to get involved. We hope you visit mainefamilyleave.org to learn more and Take Action! 

Join us at the Common Ground Fair

 We are excited to be in person at the Common Ground Country Fair this year on September 23, 24 and 25. If you are interested in experiencing the Common Ground Fair and want to volunteer with the Maine Women’s Lobby and Maine Paid Leave Coalition, enjoy both and sign up here. Everyone who signs up will get an email with more information and details about the event. 

Volunteer Sign Up

Get involved! 

There are many ways for everyone to help make paid leave a reality in Maine. If you want to get involved, consider some of the items below: 

Individuals  

Share your story 

Businesses & Organizations 

Join the Maine Paid Leave Coalition  

Candidates & Legislators 

Sign on to support paid leave 

To learn more ways to get involved visit the Take Action page or email us to get started. 

Welcome Catie!  

We are excited to have Catie Reed join the team as the

Paid Leave Coalition Coordinator. 

Catie (she/her) started in July 2022 to support the Maine Paid Leave Coalition’s growth and community engagement. Her previous work at the domestic violence resource center, Partners for Peace, developed her passion for advocacy and systems change. Catie values collaboration and believes that when policies are inclusive everyone benefits.  

Read Catie’s full bio on our staff page. 

Join us!

Paid Family & Medical Leave will only happen in Maine through the grassroots support of Mainers like you. Whether you're a citizen, a business owner, representing a nonprofit, or a policy maker, you can take action for Maine's paid leave possibilities. 

Take Action Today!