The Maine People’s Alliance (of which Beacon is a project) released this week its annual legislative scorecard, rating state policymakers for their votes on legislation ranging from tax fairness measures, to expanding access to health care and housing, to racial equity among others. “With a Democratic governor and Democratic majorities in both chambers, our state…
Maine lawmakers are considering a bill that would make permanent several election-related changes put forward in 2020 in response to the pandemic and implement additional reforms as part of an effort to improve access to voting in the state. LD 1575, sponsored by Rep. Jay McCreight (D-Harpswell), would institute a series of changes to state…
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…
Update: LD 820 passed the Maine Senate on May 14. In a statement, Kate Brogan, Vice President of Public Affairs at Maine Family Planning said: “The ability to obtain abortion care should not depend on how much money you make or what type of insurance you have. This legislation will be a dramatic step toward…
Emerge Maine, an organization dedicated to encouraging and training progressive women to run for office, announced at a State House press conference yesterday that at least 18 of its program alumnae will be seeking seats in the House and Senate this November. “Emerge Maine seeks to literally change the face of Maine politics by inspiring…