Augusta
Maine
Maine Women's Lobby Legislative Round-Up News: January 16, 2023
Clubs and Organizations
January 17, 2023
From: Maine Women's Policy CenterHappy Martin Luther King, Jr Day! You can find a round-up of activities across Maine here, and Southern Poverty Law Center has this beautiful 2020 tribute to ‘women of the movement’.
The Legislature is still mostly in orientation, but plenty of work is happening. The complete list of bill titles is now available – this is every bill title (bill ideas or placeholders) that Legislators submitted. Not all of these will end up as a bill, many will be combined, and many will be carried into next year. Still, this is a chance to see all the ideas that might come before us this session.
Last week, the Governor presented her budget to the Legislature. There is a long road between now and the final budget! The budget is a chance to build gender equity, not only in how we raise money (tax structures can be feminist!) but in how we spend it (are we meeting the needs of our people?). Find our full discussion of the budget process with Betsy Sweet here, and Part One of our mini-explainer on TikTok.
*Do not miss* our Legislative Kick-Off Trivia Night this Thursday! It’s fully virtual – bring a team or come to make new friends! There will be fun, friends, feminism AND PRIZES. Find out more and register here.
In solidarity,
Destie, Dania, Catie, and Brook
Paid family and medical leave is one of the most powerful ways to create gender equity – by recognizing *and paying* the (mostly women!) caregivers who keep our families and communities running. That is why we’ve been supporting PFML on two fronts: in the Legislature and the Maine PFML Commission, but also as co-chairs with Maine People’s Alliance to collect signatures for a people’s referendum. Together, we collected 50,000 signatures on Election Day alone, and have more than 80,000 signatures to submit.
The Maine PFML Commission will present their final recommendations this month, and we’ve been working closely with policy makers and our coalition to ensure that it gets the support it deserves in the Legislature this session.
We expect to celebrate the creation of a new Paid Family and Medical Leave program for Mainers this summer. And if the Legislature doesn’t get that far, we are ready to submit signatures and pursue a ballot, because care can’t wait.
Read More: Portland Press Herald “As paid family leave gains momentum in Maine Legislature, advocacy group holds off on referendum.”
Weekly Calendar
There are no hearings scheduled yet while the Legislature completes it's orientation. The House and Senate will be in session this Tuesday, 1/17/23, at 10:00 AM.
The weekly House Calendar is here. The weekly Senate Calendar is here.
Let's Visit the State House!
Have you wondered what it's like to go to the State House? Join us for a casual, no-pressure chance to open up the State House doors and learn the ropes of getting in, out, and around the State House. Mileage reimbursement, snacks, and KN95 masks will be available for in-person visits.
Join us on Monday Feb. 13 at 4pm and Tuesday Feb. 14 at 8:30am – or virtually on Feb. 16 at noon! Sign up here.
Also! We've refreshed our Citizen Advocacy Toolkit - check it out!
Legislative Kick-Off Trivia Night
Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm (virtual)
It’s the most wonderful zoom of the year! Join us for our Legislative Kick-Off Trivia Night. Put together a team or meet new friends! Learn more and register you or your team today.
Pre Roe Stories for Post Roe Futures by GRR! Augusta Watch Party
Thursday, January 26, 2023
6:00 PM 8:00 PM
We’re hosting an in-person watch party of GRR!’s virtual screening of elder abortion storytellers. Join us for solidarity and snacks for this great event. Register here.
Paid Leave Day at the State House
Tuesday, February 7, 2023 from 9:30 – 1:30pm
Join the Maine Paid Leave Coalition, which we convene, for a paid leave briefing, rally, min-training, and a chance to connect with advocates and legislators on Paid Family and Medical Leave.
Maine Feminist Events Calendar
Fuel Our Work
Gender-just legislative advocacy, and tools like this weekly round-up, can only happen with your support. Join our efforts today with a gift of your time or resources.