Issues
Issues
Co-chair testifies against anti-trans bills
Senator Carney, Representative Harnett and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary, my name is Jake Kulaw and I live in South Portland. I am writing to testify in opposition of LD 926 and LD 1401 because these bills would exclude transgender girls from participating in and playing in any interscholastic sport in all Maine public schools and universities, including intramural sports. When we tell transgender girls and women that they can’t play girls sports, it sends the message that they don’t belong.
This bill mirrors efforts in other states to ban trans girls from participating in school sports and once again puts the humanity of transgender people up for public debate. This must not move forward as it is an attack on the very existence of transgender girls and women. Laws targeting transgender girls violate the US constitution and Title IX. It will also override sport governing bodies. Furthermore, this bill attempts to politicize transgender people’s lives. Maine transgender youth should not be used to advance hatred, fear and bigotry.
This bill is bad for all Mainers. There was a decision that everyone is welcome and should have equal opportunity to contribute and lead successful lives. In 2014 Maine’s Supreme Court affirmed the right to equal educational access for transgender girls in schools.
On a personal note, I was assigned female at birth. When I was in high school I was on the Boys track team as there was no Girls track team at that time. I not only made the team, I also competed with other boys on my team and in my state. I earned a starting spot, beating out some of my male teammates. Why? Not because of my gender but perhaps due to the fact that I worked hard and have a greater number of fast twitch fibers. As a high school person who was assigned female at birth I competed and beat boys in competition. Please stop making the assumption that males are inherently better or stronger than females. This is highly insulting to women and girls. Thank you for your time. Again, I strongly oppose the passage of LD 926 and LD 1401. They are fear based and centered around hatred and bigotry. All Mainers, including out transgender athletes deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. I stand in solidarity with our transgender community.
Sincerely, Jake Kulaw
Jake Kulaw is a co-chair of the Maine Green Independent Party, serving through 2022.
Greens take position on bills affecting ranked choice voting
For at least ten years, The Maine Green Independent Party has been at the forefront on behalf of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) and so it is a no-brainer for us to support two bills in the current legislature that would Amend the Maine Constitution to remove any Constitutional concern over its Constitutional use. These are LD numbers 1365 and 1196 which would permit RCV for races for governor and legislature respectively by changing a single word, from "plurality" to "majority." For the same reason, we go on record opposing LD 1213 which would repeal use of RCV. We encourage our supporters to be vocal in this regard. Jon Olsen co-chair MGIP
Jonathan Carter appeal to action
Jonathan Carter, a Green who ran for U.S. Congress in 1992 and governor in 1994 and 2002, has an important message for you.
Hello Friends,
You probably have heard the great news that the town of Farmington voted overwhelmingly to oppose the CMP Corridor. This brings to ten the number of towns that have voted to oppose or have withdrawn support - Alna, Caratunk, Dennistown, Embden, Farmington, Jackman, The Forks, West Forks, Wilton, and Wiscasset. In addition, the Franklin County Commissioners voted to withdraw support and instead openly oppose.
While we have had a string of successes, we have a long way to go before CMP will abandon its efforts.
During the first week of April, the DEP/LUPC will hold two public hearings.
Below is a schedule for these public hearings.
* The First will take place on* Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Lincoln Auditorium at the University of Maine Farmington. This hearing will deal with the impacts of the corridor on the scenic quality and current use.
*The Second will take place on *Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. also in the Lincoln Auditorium, University of Maine Farmington, 111 South Street, Farmington, ME. This hearing will deal with the impact of the corridor on the environment.
*IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU ATTEND ONE OR BOTH OF THESE HEARINGS*. We need to raise our collective voices against this boondoggle of a project. The Maine
Woods needs to have you speak out!
I have attached a fact sheet which may help you formulated your response.
If you can not make it to the hearings, please take the time to send an e-mail of opposition to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you for caring.
Mahalo, Jonathan Carter
PS First and foremost, please take the time to tell state officials *NO to the CMP Corridor.
MGIP supports LD 1324
Maine Green Independent Party supports LD 1324
An Act To Establish the Committee To Study the Feasibility of Creating Basic Income Security
We the people of the Maine Green Independent Party (MGIP) stand in strong support of LD1324, An Act To Establish the Committee To Study the Feasibility of Creating Basic Income Security. Not only do we support this crucial study, we call for the swift passage of any legislation that will ease the financial burden on all Mainers, especially for those currently below the poverty line or are one paycheck from an economic crisis.
This would include support for legislation that would establish a universal basic income for all Mainers, create progressive tax laws, establish a state-owned public bank, provide incentives for businesses using a worker-owned cooperative model, provides free in-state college (as well as in-state college loan forgiveness), and pursue progressive healthcare initiatives (such as single payer healthcare, in-home hHealthcare, and mandatory paid sick leave).
Now is the time to stand beside the people of Maine, to provide the basic economic stability to give everyone the opportunity to have a decent living. The MGIP is committed to prioritizing the people of Maine and we challenge this legislature to take up that call as well.
Written testimony may be sent to the Labor and Housing Committee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Sending testimony by April 3 is best.
A public hearing will be held Wednesday, April 3, starting at approximately 10:30 AM in Room 202 of the Cross Office Building in Augusta.
MGIP Supports LD 955
LD 955 "An Act To Prohibit Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Drilling and Exploration" already had its public hearing, but you can still submit testimony to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Testimony should begin with "Sen. Carson, Rep.Tucker, and distinguished members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. My name is (your name), and I’m writing in support of LD 955" ...and then express why you support this bill. #ProtectOurCoast #StopOffshoreDrilling
