Friend, we are almost at the end.

Last week, the Appropriations Committee 'ran the table'  (decided which bills would be funded on top of the budget). There were over $1 billion in requests, but less than $40 million in funding. Most of the bills did not recieve funding, but this year, the Committee decided to carry over all bills that passed but didn't get funding - keeping hopes alive for future funding next year. Among these were a few of our priority bills: supplying period products in middle and high schools, a wage increase for sexual assault advocates, and an increased minimum wage for teachers and educational support staff.

The last remaining actions for this session are a few bills on the Governor's desk (the bills she has signed are here, veto messages are here), and the Legislature must meet one more time for 'Veto Day' - the day they return to try to override any last vetoes (as well as final enactment on last bills). That day isn't scheduled yet.

In the meantime, we are prepping our session summary and Legislative Report Card. Our final bill report and Legislative Round Up will be out next week, then this mailer is off for the summer! That means it's time for YOUR report card for us!  Please take a minute to fill out our end-of-session survey. Let us know what tools or resources helped you feel connected this session!

In solidarity,

Destie, Dania, Catie, and Brook

PS - If you keep thinking 'oh I can't wait to go to the End of Session Celebration at Broadturn Farm, I'll buy a ticket soon!'... Soon is NOW! Our big party is this Thursday. Don't be stuck standing in line, buy your ticket today!

It's the Centennial of the ERA!

This Friday, July 21 is the centennial of Alice Paul first proposing the Equal Rights Amendment. Celebreate with us, and prep for what's next!

Rally for the ERA
Friday, 7/21, 12-1:00

Suffrage Marker, Maine State House

Remarks by Rep. Reckitt and others, readings, performances, view Maine archival records, and enjoy Wyman’s “Just Fruit Cups” and ice cream.

Votes for Women, The History of Women’s Suffrage Through Song
Sunday, 7/23, 2-4pm
Lincoln Theater, Damariscotta

More info here.

Join us for an evening on the farm to celebrate our wins of the legislative session, and 'cultivate' our collective purpose and power!

We come together to celebrate the end of the session, and to lift up and honor gender justice changemakers in our community with our first annual legislative awards.

Tickets are available on a sliding scale, and volunteers attend at no cost. We hope to see you there!

Info & Tickets Here

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