Maine Women's Lobby Legislative Round-Up News: January 30, 2023

Dear friend 

Bills are rolling out of the Registrar's Office (follow along with our Public Bill Tracker) and after weeks of orientation, committees are beginning to hold hearings (see below!). The Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee is continuing to work through the supplemental budget - this means they are reviewing the budget for the current year (that ends June 30) in order to make any changes. Maine requires a balanced budget, so each year a 'supplemental' or correction budget is reviewed and passed. You can see the supplemental budget and all of the testimony here. You can also read MECEP's recent blog: Yes, a Budget Can Save Lives.

Did you see this profile on our struggling care economy in WMTM last week - "A care system at its breaking point for our youngest and oldest Mainers" ? Paid family and medical leave relieves the pressure on the childcare and long-term care, and we know these systems all work together. Our Coalition is gearing up for Paid Leave at the State House *next week* and it's all hands on deck. Register today, and if you can't join in person, share your story here, or contact your legislator and let them know what PFML means to you! 

If you haven't signed up for our first People Power Hour this Wednesday, it's not too late! This session will focus on bill tracking tools and staying connected. And don't forget our 

Citizen Advocacy Toolkit and mini-explainers on TikTok and Instagram reels. We're here to help you feel connected to everything under the dome, and we want to ear from you!

In solidarity,

Destie, Dania, Catie, and Brook

Weekly Calendar

The House and Senate will be in session this Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00AM. 

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

February 2
1:00 - WS* -  LD 137, An Act to Amend the Maine Parentage Act Regarding Joinder of Parties (Moonen) 

February 6

10:00AM - PH* - LD 34, An Act to Require a Person to Show Photographic Identification for the Purpose of Voting (Pouliot)

*PH = Public Hearing. WS = Work Session. Not sure about the difference? Review our 2-minute 'How To' 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. 

People Power Hours, Session 1

People Power Hours are opportunities to learn, practice, and flex your advocacy muscles! 
Session 1 is "We'll Bring the Tools, You Bring the Action" - we'll guide you through how to track bills and stay in the loop on all that’s happening at the State House. February 1, 3:30-4:30. Find out more here.

Citizen Advocacy Toolkit

Paid Leave Day at the State House 

Tuesday, February 7 

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.  Register here.

Maine Feminist Events Calendar