03 Mar 2021 ICYMI Video of the February 18 Meeting | Legislative Priorities
The Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC) held its monthly meeting on February 18, 2021, via Zoom. The advertised agenda included State Legislative Priorities shared by Senator Chloe Maxmin and guest speaker Ambureen Rana, Community Organizer, Maine Equal Justice, and we ended with a Democracy Discussion on engaging folks across the political spectrum.
Note: the video has been edited to show only Chloe’s and Ambureen’s portions. We have not included the LCDC business meeting and the Democracy Discussion was not recorded in order for attendees to share freely.
The next meeting will take place on March 18. Pre-registration is required to obtain the logon or phone access information through https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/meet.
Resources Shared During the Meeting
IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED
Craig Hickman needs help getting the word out to voters that there is, indeed, a special election on March 9 to fill Shenna Bellows’ vacated State Senate seat. He’s looking for volunteers to write letters, call voters, and canvass to help Get Out The Vote!
Sign up to write letters HERE
Sign up to canvass or phone bank HERE
Sen. Chloe Maxmin discussed some legislative priorities
You can always reach her!
http://www.mainesenate.org/senator/senator/chloe-maxmin/
http://www.facebook.com/chloeforsenate
Chloe.Maxmin@legislature.maine.gov
207-200-6224
Coffee with Chloe, Sun Feb 28, 12noon
Zoom URL: tinyurl.com/Feb28Coffee
Contact Committee Members regarding legislation they are considering.
Contact the clerk to submit testimony.
http://legislature.maine.gov/committee
Chloe is sponsoring, LD 17, which would create a pilot program to provide seniors and adults with disabilities greater access to their communities by expanding MaineCare coverage of non-medical transportation for basic needs to people who have no other means of transportation. Read more HERE
How you can help pass this bill: Contact the members of the Health and Human Services Committee and share why you support this bill. This could be especially powerful if you or someone you know would benefit from the expanded transportation coverage. We need to specifically reach out to the Republicans. Find the list of committee members at the bottom of this page.
In Lincoln County, our own Holly Stover is already onboard but constituents of Rep. Michael Lemelin (HD88: Chelsea, Jefferson, Whitefield and part of Nobleboro), who is a member of the HHS committee, should contact him to ask that he vote for the bill in committee. Find his contact information HERE.
Once the bill is voted out of committee, constituents of Rep. Jeff Hanley (HD87: Alna, Pittston, Randolph, Wiscasset) should contact him and ask him to support the bill. Find his contact information HERE.
Ambureen Rana, Community Organizer, Maine Equal Justice, shared information about the organization and how you can help them support their legislative agenda
https://maineequaljustice.org/
Ambureen Rana: arana@mejp.org
(207) 626-7058 x211
MEJ Lincoln County Legislative Advocacy Volunteer form
MEJ legislative priorities are listed on their website HERE
Or in a PDF document HERE
Fact Sheet is HERE
Here is a link to a great resource MEJ offers about how to testify in this year’s legislative session, which is a little different than in other years.
https://maineequaljustice.org/publications/public-hearings-during-the-pandemic-what-you-need-to-know/
During the public hearings, testimony is encouraged from anyone who has something to say
Rep Holly Stover shared: In my experience as a Legislator, some of the most powerful testimony is from those who care deeply and want to speak to us.
Related from attendees:
Report on Mindset Shifts providing a roadmap for advocates and activists and how to get there.
https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FRAJ8064-Mindset-Shifts-200612-WEB.pdf
New book: “Author Heather McGhee draws on a wealth of economic data to make the case that discriminatory laws and practices that target African Americans also negatively impact society at large.” https://www.npr.org/2021/02/17/968638759/sum-of-us-examines-the-hidden-cost-of-racism-for-everyone
Democracy Discussion on engaging folks across the political spectrum
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/climate-maine-elections-maxmin/
https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/if-we-wont-then-who-will-an-interview-with-chloe-maxmin/
https://braverangels.org/welcome/
According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, as of August 2020 there were an estimated five million new gun owners in the US.
https://hbr.org/2016/11/what-so-many-people-dont-get-about-the-u-s-working-class
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