My name is Jill Duson. I am Assistant Majority Leader in the Maine Senate. I am pleased to begin connecting with you through the pages of Amjambo Africa. I hope you and yours are staying warm this time of year. As the work of the Maine Senate continues over the next months, I look forward to advocating for you, our district, and our state.
In response to the new federal administration’s executive orders, Maine Senate Democrats are working in partnership with the [Gov. Janet] Mills Administration to monitor and respond. We’ve seen our checks-and-balances systems working, with courts temporarily halting the order to end birthright citizenship, among other harmful initiatives. In these trying times, it’s important that we as a community stay level-headed and ensure we have sufficient information and resources so we can respond effectively and appropriately.
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If you, a loved one, or a friend have questions about your civil rights when interacting with immigration enforcement, visit www.aclumaine.org/en. For lower-income Mainers needing immigration legal resources, visit ilapmaine.org for more information.
For the 132nd Legislature, I’ve been appointed to the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee. This committee hears bills related to veteran support services, our state’s emergency preparedness systems, and election administration. I have also been reappointed to the Government Oversight Committee, working to ensure accountability and transparency in state government programs and operations.
This session, I’ve sponsored bills to help drive the policy conversation around victim-centered sexual assault response services, the “blue economy” (ocean-centered economic development), and bringing parity to disability retirement packages. I’ll also be working closely with colleagues on issues related to housing, general assistance, and protecting civil rights. You can follow the calendar at legislature.maine.gov/calendar. To testify on bills important to you, head to mainesenate.org/testify for a step-by-step guide.
A great way for young Mainers to learn about and be involved in the legislative process is through the Legislature’s Honorary Page Program. The program invites students in third through 12th grades to perform duties such as delivering messages to senators and distributing official documents in the chamber under the supervision of the Sergeant-at-Arms and other chamber staff. If your student would like to sign up as an Honorary Page, please contact Alex Ferguson in the Senate Secretary’s Office at [email protected] or (207) 287-1540.
To stay up to date on my work in Augusta and throughout the district, please subscribe to my newsletter at mainesenate.org. You can also email me directly [email protected] or call my Senate office at (207) 287-1515. It remains my honor to serve as your state senator. Please look out for one another.
