The Legislature was closed yesterday, and so were we! Due to April vacation, this will be a lighter week, but we're gathering forces for what is bound to be a chaotic time.  

Controversial or partisan bills are often saved for later in the session, but with the delay in so many bills becoming public, we are likely to have a pile-up, with everything from choice to paid leave being heard in the next couple of weeks. We will hold onto our hats and keep the bill tracker updated! 

ICYMI - the Supreme Court issued an emergency ruling that keeps mifepristone available for now (a drug used in medication abortion), but we know that anti-choice advocates will continue their efforts to roll back our reproductive rights. In the meantime, we'll be supporting LD 1478 and investment into Maine's family planning infrastructure this Wednesday, and an updated Reproductive Privacy Act in a few weeks.  

If you love gender justice, public policy, financial oversight, and supporting a growing nonprofit, you might be interested in joining our Board - if so, scroll on for more info!  

In solidarity, 

Destie, Dania, Catie, and Brook 

PS - Our last State House tours of the session are next week! Sign up now! 

Weekly Calendar 

The weekly House Calendar is here. The weekly Senate Calendar is here.  

April 19

10:00 - LD 1478 - PH - An Act to Improve Women's Health and Economic Security by Funding Family Planning Services  (Pierce) 

April 20

1:00 - Public hearing on a range of bills to increase wages for school support staff, including LD 955 - An Act to Address Shortages of School Support Staff by Increasing the Minimum Hourly Wage for Those Staff - Millett, as well as  LD 974, LD 1237, LD 1314, , and LD 1366. 

April 21

9:30 - LD 1239 - PH  An Act to Make General Election Day a State Holiday and to Allow Certain Employees an Opportunity to Vote (Collings)

10:30 -  LD 1568 - PH - An Act to Protect Access to Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes (Roberts)  

April 24

10:00 - Public hearing on a range of anti-vaccine bills, icluding  LD 59 - An Act to Prohibit Inclusion of the COVID-19 Vaccine in the Universal Childhood Immunization Program 

Not sure about the difference between a PH (public hearing) and a WS (work session)? Check out our How-To here!

Bounty: Film Screening & Conversation

April 18, 5:00PM-6:30PM - Zoom

The Place Justice Project  invites you to this free virtual screening of "Bounty" followed by a conversation with filmmakers and educators. Info here.  

Let's Visit the State House!

Mon., April 24, 5-6 PM - Virtual
Tues., April 25, 8:30-10 AM - In Person
Tues., April 25, 3:30-5 PM - In Person 

Register here.  

Sexism, Lies and the Fight for Truth: A Reporter's Story - 2023 Justice for Women Lecture

April 26, 7pm, Portland 

Info here. 

Maine Feminist Events Calendar

In news that will be news to absolutely NO ONE here, ACOG has released the results of a long-term study showing that states with PFML have better postpartum outcomes and less postpartum depression. (!)  

This excellent article profiles the incredible progress women in political leadership have made - and the incredibly high price they still pay.  

The Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center's podcast, Maine Policy Matters, has shared this conversation about empowering women through community leadership. Have a listen and let us know your thoughts! Spotify / Apple Podcasts

We're looking for a few good Board members!  

Do you love gender equity and policy? Are you interested in guiding and overseeing ourorganizations' strategic direction, bylaws, and policies?  

We're recruiting! 

Members serve for three-year terms, meet monthly (via zoom, with one in person full-day retreat each year), and are an essential part of our team. Interviews begin May 15. 

Find out more here.  

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