By Kate Brennan 

At Maine Equal Justice, we focus on the right to healthcare, food, shelter, economic opportunity and the right to live free of racism and discrimination. Much of the work we do in the next few years will be in defending these rights, and we will do all we can to continue advancing them together as well. With your help, and with community involvement from around the state, we’re going to use all our collective experience to stand for a future of shared prosperity and equity.  

Kate-Brennan

Looking at our work on the national level, we’ll advocate to protect Medicaid (Maine Care), SNAP (food assistance), and housing supports like the Section 8 program. We’ll also be closely watching the national immigration debate as it impacts so many of our partners, community leaders, friends and family living and working in Maine. We remain committed to building a state where all can live with economic freedom and free from hate. 

Here in Maine, we have two more years with Gov. Janet Mills. We will be working hard to make sure rental assistance, General Assistance, and state funding for SNAP and TANF is protected. The budget process in the Maine legislature is a key part of getting there. We are working to make sure that Maine passes a budget that achieves greater equity rather than increasing inequality. 

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 We will also work to make our tax system more fair by advocating to pass an expansion of the Child Tax Credit, which would put more money into the pockets of Maine families. And we will join Mainers for Tax Fairness to push the Mills administration to make sure the wealthiest in Maine are paying their fair share.  

Know your legislators 

Your legislators are people who are elected to represent your geographic area (district) in government. Each person in Maine has two state legislators: a representative and a senator. With a little effort, you can reach out and talk to your state legislators about your issues and concerns. 

You can look up your legislators at pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/  

There are many ways to contact your legislators:  

  • In person in your district: You can request a meeting with your legislator in your district. Invite them for coffee or to the local library to meet and discuss your priorities and theirs.  
  • In person at the State House: When the legislature is in session, it’s often possible to find and speak to legislators in the halls of the State House.  
  • By phone: You can call your legislator at home or on their mobile phone. You can also call your legislator at the State House anytime of day and leave a message. During the legislative session, this can be an effective way to get your legislator an important message. To reach a member of the Maine House of Representatives: (800) 423-2900. To reach a member of the Maine Senate: (800) 423-6900. 
  • Social media: Social media is a great tool to use to contact your legislator and express your positions on an issue that matters. You can tweet at your legislator, tag them in a post, or post directly on their Facebook page.  
  • Letter to the editor: Writing a letter to the newspaper is a great way to build support for issues that are important to you – politicians and state leaders do read the letters section of their local papers to find out what community members care about.  

Maine Equal Justice has more detailed guides about testifying, contacting your legislators, and more on our website. If you want to learn more, go to maineequaljustice.org/get-involved/take-action/ and scroll down to “Resources for Advocates.” 

This year and in years to come, let’s stand strong together.  

To join our Maine Equal Justice team to put up our best defense and build for the future in the next 4 years, sign up at maineequaljustice.org/get-involved/take-action/#form or by scanning the code:

There is a role for all of us and it will take all of us in the coming years. We can shape our future together.