The Maine People’s Alliance’s 2019 legislative scorecard launched online Tuesday, with 38 legislators earning perfect scores for advancing progressive values with votes they made during the first session of the 129th legislature.
In an email announcing the scorecard’s launch, MPA co-director Amy Halsted said it is a “chance to make clear how our state lawmakers voted on some of the most critical issues facing Mainers.”
“This year saw some real advances that will improve the lives of Mainers and their families, but there are many more urgent issues to address,” she continued. “From rolling back LePage-era tax breaks for the wealthy to addressing Maine’s opioid epidemic to finally tackling our state’s long-term care crisis, we will continue to push lawmakers to take action on these pressing issues.”
Among the bills used to assess a legislator’s commitment to progressive values were LD 420, which would have rolled back LePage-era cuts to the estate tax that have cost Maine millions in potential revenue, and LD 949, a bill that would have allowed the creation of overdose prevention sites in Maine’s major cities. MPA supported both of these bills, as well as legislation that established a Green New Deal in Maine and expanded abortion access to more low-income and rural women.
Sens. Dave Miramant (D-Knox), Shenna Bellows (D-Kennebec), Brownie Carson (D-Cumberland), Cathy Breen (D-Cumberland), Ben Chipman (D-Portland), Heather Sanborn (D-Portland), Linda Sanborn (D-Gorham), Rebecca Millett (D-Cape Elizabeth), and Justin Chenette (D-York) all earned a perfect score from MPA this year.
Reps. Chris Kessler (D- South Portland), Mike Sylvester (D-Portland), Ryan Tipping (D-Orono), Deane Rykerson (D-Kittery), Lydia Blume (D-York), Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford), Victoria Foley (D-Biddeford), Lori Gramlich (D-Old Orchard Beach), Maggie O’Neill (D-Saco), Mo Terry (D-Gorham), Anne Carney (D-Cape Elizabeth), Lois Reckitt (D-South Portland), Victoria Morales (D-South Portland), Richard Farnsworth (D-Portland), Matt Moonen (D-Portland), Ben Collings (D-Portland), Jay McCreight (D-Harpswell), Sean Paulhus (D-Bath), Denise Tepler (D-Topsham), Seth Berry (D-Bowdoinham), Jim Handy (D-Lewiston), Gina Melaragno (D-Auburn), Kent Ackley (I-Monmouth), Thom Harnett (D-Gardiner), Charlotte Warren (D-Hallowell), Chloe Maxmin (D-Nobleboro), Pinny Beebe-Center (D-Rockland), Janice Dodge (D-Belfast), Nicole Grohoski (D-Ellsworth) were the 29 State House representatives who earned 100 on the scorecard.
While all Republican state senators and representatives earned scores of 10 percent or below, some Democrats also failed to receive scores above 50 percent, with several opposing the repeal of tax cuts for the wealthy, expanded protections for renters, and other progressive measures. Rep. Bruce White of Waterville received the lowest score of any Democrat with 20%.
(Entrance to the Maine State House | Jimmy Emerson)
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