House Democrats: “Let’s talk about what Maine’s recovery looks like”

Submitted by Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford),
Majority Leader Michelle Dunphy (D-Old Town), and
Assistant Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland)

Despite 2021 being a difficult period for all states, we are ever-focused on our commitment to Maine people. House Democrats are determined to be strong advocates for small businesses and working families during the 130th Legislature. They have been some of the hardest hit during the pandemic and they are the backbone of Maine’s economy.

    In light of the year’s challenges, we are heartened by all the ways Mainers have rolled up their sleeves to continue caring for their communities. The ways you’ve kept the lights on and kept Mainers on the payroll is a testament to how resourceful and strong people of this state are, and we are so proud to represent Maine because of that.
    As our state recovers, we must take into account how seriously lives have been disrupted by the pandemic and we must acknowledge all that we’ve learned from each other. We recognize it’s time to boldly address some of the biggest issues impacting our families and businesses.

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Legislators’ emails and profiles can be viewed online at https://legislature.maine.gov.

Contact the House Speaker’s Office
2 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0002
(207) 287-1300

Contact the House Democrats’ Office
2 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0002
Phone: (207) 287-1430

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    Public health: It’s no secret that there is not a path to full economic recovery until we make sure that Mainers can take care of their family’s immediate health care needs. The very first bill we introduced this session makes sure that there are no barriers to COVID testing and vaccines. During the session, you’ll see us fighting to make sure that we improve access to health care, including dental care and mental health care.       
    Child care: We need to build a child care system for Maine’s future by recruiting and retaining Maine’s early childhood workforce. We need to invest in this workforce and recognize its importance to Maine’s economic future. This will help us attract and retain the families we need to make this state’s workforce stronger.
    Workforce:  We still need to think about what will make Maine successful in the long-term by investing in ways to bolster our workforce and in career and technical education. In the short term, essential workers and businesses stepped up for Maine throughout this crisis. This session, we need to step up for them. A top priority this session is to provide some relief to Maine businesses and workers who have suffered greatly throughout this pandemic through no fault of their own. They’ve also stepped up in big ways from feeding frontline workers to manufacturing PPE. Now, we need to have their backs.
    Racial Justice: When we learned that there were more COVID cases amongst Mainers of color, we recognized the urgency around addressing these disparities. As one of the most racially unequal states, Maine has the opportunity to lead the country in promoting the importance of racial equality. Our second bill of the session addresses disparities and ensures that the laws we pass will not further them. When we address structural racism, we will make Maine a more welcoming place for families and for businesses.
    Throughout this session, we value your input. Our leadership team will always come to the table in search of common ground. Our doors are always open. We know there is a lot of work to do and no one industry or legislator can do it alone. Thank you for the resourceful, forward-looking role you’ve played in your communities and all the ways you’ve stepped up for this state.