The Legislature is wrapping up. The 2021-2022 session brought some ups and downs. Most of our priority bills, ranging from voting rights to Clean Elections and campaign finance reform, from election administration to racial justice, have been signed into law or are heading in that direction! Stay tuned for a post-session wrap up, when we'll celebrate all the good bills that crossed the finished line and became laws.
Local Action Workshops: Have you ever thought about running for a local office but don’t know where to start? We recently hosted a workshop on running for office, and now it's up on Youtube! From the city councilors to the local school board, from candidates who have won their races to those who have lost, from young organizers to seasoned community members, hear from a range of voices and build your skills as a community leader.
Legislative business may have taken a hiatus for now, but it's not quite over yet. The Governor now has the task of signing enacted bills into law or issuing vetoes. She has 10 days. If a bill isn't signed within the 10 day timeframe, it automatically becomes law without her signature. That gives the Governor a deadline of May 6. The Legislature will come back into session on May 9 to deal with any possible vetoes. We'll see how things wrap up:
Semi-open Primaries (LD 231): This bill was enacted in both chambers and now waits for the Governor's signature. This bill was supported by LWVME based on our 2018 League Study. Tribal Sovereignty Compromise (LD 585): This is the compromise bill negotiated between the tribes and the Governor to advance tribal rights while falling short of actual sovereignty. This bill was massively opposed by commercial gambling interests, but it passed to be enacted in both chambers and awaits the Governor’s signature.
- Equity in Policy Making (LD 1610): This bill is a critical step toward improving demographic analysis and data sharing in Maine government so that we can create equitable and evidence-based policy. It was enacted in both chambers and now waits for the Governor's signature.
Tribal Sovereignty (LD 1626): This bill is the real deal and is still stuck on the Special Appropriations Table. It didn't have enough votes to withstand a veto, and the Governor apparently wants it to die on the table. It's been a scramble to move this bill forward as far as it will go. If the bill dies this session, we'll continue to fight for tribal sovereignty in the next. - Money in politics — Municipal Campaign Finance (LD 1658): This bill requires candidates or PACs in towns with populations over 50,000 to submit campaign finance reports to the Ethics Commission instead of the municipal clerk. It got a disastrous $1 million fiscal note. This one is still stuck on the Special Appropriations Table. We're not too hopeful.
Our national Convention is being held in Denver from the evening of Thursday, June 23, through midday Sunday, June 26. It will be a hybrid event, and delegates can attend sessions and vote on proposals either in person or virtually. Interested? Sign up here.
If you haven't been to a convention before, it is a fascinating experience. Delegates vote on the budget, bylaws, program, and board for the next two years. There are also workshops and gatherings around many issue areas, and lots of sharing between Leagues and League members across the country.
LWVME qualifies for a record 15 delegates! Because so many important issues will be decided at Convention this year, we want to fill ALL of our delegate slots.
The costs for attending the convention are:
- Registration ($475 in person, $100 virtual)
- Other in-person costs: hotel ($209/night in the convention hotel)
- Airfare and meals
LWVME can cover all registration costs and can help defray travel/hotel costs for in-person delegates. We are also welcoming delegates who may be able to pay all or part of their own way. We are also grateful to members who may even contribute funds or air miles to support our delegation. We want to ensure no one is prevented from attending due to cost.