Today was one of those days when I would have liked to clone myself. The morning started with a tough choice between monitoring the House vote on Fourth Amendment rights of ATV riders in Augusta or participating in a fascinating discussion of personal health records with the Consumer Advisory Committee to HealthInfoNet. Alysia headed to Augusta, and I went to the AARP for the health information discussion.
At one p.m., legislative committees in Augusta met (simultaneously) to discuss a variety of issues -- pharmaceutical marketing to minors, the public's right to know, qualifications for attorneys who participate in the indigent defense system, traffic camera surveillance, and more. Again, where to be? Alysia, Zach and I split up to cover three committee (Judiciary, Health & Human Services, and Business, Research and Economic Development.) Unfortunately, we just couldn't make the Criminal Justice Committee's meeting to discuss yet again the sex offender registry. We make these sorts of decisions every day. Each year, the legislature considers dozens of bills, and many of them affect Mainers' civil liberties or civil rights in some way. So we try to be...everywhere.
It's past 7 pm, and I'm just arriving back at the office to catch up on paperwork. You can find Alysia at the Portland City Council this evening to discuss residency restrictions for sex offenders and how such restrictions might have the opposite of the intended effect, driving sex offenders underground. It's one of those evenings when we still need clones. Of course, even better than clones are volunteers. We have a new volunteer starting in our office tomorrow. If you are interested in lobbying in Augusta, phone banking, or helping out with an event, please call Claire at our offices (774-5444). We'll gladly put you to work.