First, the hard work. During this legislative session, our contract organizer has connected with ACLU of MAINE members in over 20 legislative districts, alerting them to opportunities for actions. Over 400 emails have been sent from ACLU of MAINE members urging legislators to support civil liberties. In all of our target districts, ACLU of MAINE members have made phone calls to legislators or reached out in some other way. ACLU of MAINE supporters have testified at 8 different public hearings in the last three weeks alone. Several ACLU of MAINE members have attended in-district meetings with legislators. We've organized four press conferences in the past month at which ACLU of MAINE members spoke. Some members who weren't able to make trips to Augusta graciously connected us with other potential members, who have spoken in support of civil liberties at the State House.

Now, the good news.
The Arizona copycat bill was killed at the bill sponsor's request. The Maine House unanimously passed REAL ID Repeal. The Education Committee unanimously voted to approve repeal of the Department of Education's Social Security Collection Program. The Criminal Justice Committee voted to table a bill that would have allowed private prisons to come to Maine. The Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously to pass LD 1296, which restores privacy for medical marijuana patients and the loved ones who care for them. AND (yes, there's more) the Health and Human Services Committee reached a compromise on two HealthInfoNet bills, which will increase notice to patients and ban use of medical information for marketing or sales purposes. Six civil liberties issues; six solid victories.

Clearly, these legislative victories could not have happened without you. Your voices as constituents have been a powerful force in Augusta. As advocates, we're grateful for the strong support network among ACLU of MAINE members. Our work is not done. Dangerous bills that would harm voting rights, restrict abortion and contraception access and discriminate against transgender Mainers are still out there. (Shout out to the 742 parents who signed the Parent Petition Opposing LD 31, the parental consent for prescriptions bill.) We're hopeful that with your support these reamining dangerous bills can be defeated. Stay tuned to our blog and Facebook page for opportunities to take action. And thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do.