"Action is the antidote to despair." --Joan Baez

Harpswell Indivisibles and Maine Dems Take Action

WELCOME TO OUR SCOUTING REPORT

Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll/AP

DUE TO TODAY'S FORECAST THE RALLY FOR DEMOCRACY HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW, SATURDAY, JULY 10, AT 11:00 AM.

Coming off a weekend of celebrating our democracy, it’s time to direct our energy to protecting our democracy against the voter suppression laws being passed in our country. Stand up for voting rights TOMORROW AT 11:00 AM IN BRUNSWICK. We hope to see many of you on Saturday!

WEEK OF JULY 9-JULY 16

Saturday, July 10, 11:00-11:30 PM: Voting Rights Rally at the Joshua Chamberlain Statue, 227 Maine Street, Brunswick. Join Brunswick Area Indivisible, Harpwell Indivisible and March Forth for a “Celebrate Our Democracy and Protect Voting Rights” Rally. Send a message to our elected officials that protecting the vote is crucial to protecting our democracy. Our wonderful Representative Jay McCreight will be speaking, and we will provide postcards to sign and a slice of “Democracy” cake to celebrate the occasion. It’s important to SHOW UP to show our Senators that there is overwhelming grassroots support for them to protect America’s voting rights. For more information, to RSVP, and/or to arrange rides, email us at harpswellindivisible@gmail.com.

Tuesday, July 13, 4:00-5:00 PM: Calling with Harpswell Dems. Help the Harpswell Democratic Committee clean up its voter contact list to increase local Democratic participation in upcoming elections. Please email Mary Brennan to volunteer. If it is more convenient for you to work on your own schedule, Mary is happy to set you up. Please note that participating members report this is the most enjoyable and easiest phone banking they have done.

Wednesday, July 14, 6:00-7:00 PM: Citizens’ Climate Lobby – Bath-Brunswick Chapter Virtual Monthly Meeting. Maine House Representative Ralph Tucker will talk about the current environmental bills considered, passed and postponed this legislative session. To join the Zoom meeting click here. Password required :123

Friday, July 16, 12:00-1:00 PM: Making Polluters Pay: Inside the Court Battles for Climate Accountability, Lunch and Learn sponsored by Maine Conservation Voters. Learn about the status of climate accountability lawsuits and the case for climate accountability in Maine. To register click here.

CALL TO ACTION

The Pine Tree Power bill, LD1708, has passed the Maine House and Senate and is now on to the Governor’s Desk! It only takes a second to sign the Our Power Maine petition and tell the Governor to let Mainers decide our energy future. To sign, click here. See Readings below for more information.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

There is exciting late breaking news from the legislature on bills we have been following.

SUCCESS on three bills proposed by our own Jay McCreight. LD514 on safe disposal of expired marine flares, LD593 on restoring eelgrass mapping and enhancing salt marsh vegetation mapping, and LD366, regarding emergency guardianship, have been funded and are on the Governor’s desk for signature. We hope these three will soon join the many other bills, sponsored by Jay this legislative session, which have now become law. Congratulations, Jay!

SUCCESS on two Gun Safety Bills! The firearm fatality data bill, LD1392, and the safe storage/child endangerment bill, LD759, are now law. Congratulations to the Gun Safety Coalition, Everytown, Moms Demand Action and the Show Up Network, founded this legislative session by Harpswell Indivisible member Nacole Palmer, and all those who spent time advocating for gun safety legislation.

LD1541, "An Act To Support and Improve Municipal Recycling Programs and Save Taxpayer Money", has been passed by both the Maine House and the Senate. The bill is now on the Governor’s desk, and it’s still a question whether she will sign it. Thanks to Brownie Carson for ushering in this legislation when he was our Senator! Read here for more information on LD1541.

READINGS, LISTENING, VIEWING

Susan Collins aligns herself with America’s past against its future

Letter to the editor: Sen. Collins distorts, omits facts about For the People Act (By Mary Ann Larsen, good friend of Harpswell Indivisible)

The Maine Idea: Sen. Susan Collins is wrong – voting rights can’t be left to states. (By Doug Rooks, who was a guest speaker at one of our early Harpswell Indivisible meetings)

Day of Rage: An In-Depth Look at How a Mob Stormed the Capitol

Commentary: People of Maine ready to take next step toward public power

Public Advocate calls level of CMP rate increases 'unprecedented'

Letter to the editor: Rate hike would be smaller without CMP

Supporters of tribal gaming bill fail to override Mills veto

Maine looks for offshore wind compromise with fishermen

Maine Legislature sends $8.5B Maine budget upping school, local aid to Janet Mills

The Debate Over Critical Race Theory, The Daily podcast, July 2.

Conversation around critical race theory has reached Maine

Her Family Owned Slaves. How Can She Make Amends? (fascinating article)

STAY HEALTHY AND WELL