I promised I would tell you the end of the story with the current legislature. However, this legislature seems to never end! Speaker Sara Gideon (D-Freeport) called lawmakers back earlier this month to act on unfinished business. They were scheduled to be in session July 9 for three days but ended 7/9 at 8:30 p.m. with unfinished business remaining. They were called back for July 23 only to cancel that for the time being, and it’s wholly unclear when they will be back. The only issues remaining at this date are clean elections funding and conforming to the federal tax code.
Physician-Assisted Suicide – Win
I told you last year that physician-assisted suicide was defeated for which we are so grateful. That was the good news for the first year of the 128th.
Proficiency-Based Diploma – Win
You may be encouraged to learn that this year the legislature wanted to extend the experiment of proficiency-based diplomas on our kids, but Rep. Heidi Sampson (R-Alfred) turned the tables to the bill and made it a local option for schools to implement or not. “We now can let teachers teach,” she said. “And the students can learn. Because the teachers, who are closest to the kids, know what they need. And they can meet those needs now.” After more than five years of forcing this unworkable program on our schools, finally we have those in this legislature who stood up and said enough. Now students will receive a diploma based on achievement rather than proficiency. Gov. LePage signed the bill into law last Friday.
Female Genital Mutilation Ban – Loss
We lost the female genital mutilation (FGM) ban effort. However, I am happy to report that conservatives supporting the ban have launched a bid to place this question on the ballot next June.
Conversion Therapy Ban – Win
The other victory we enjoyed this year was the hard-fought battle over the conversion therapy ban that was also debated in many other states. We are so thankful that even though the issue passed in the legislature, our governor vetoed it, and we had enough conservatives to sustain his veto. Maine kids under the age of 18 are still allowed to get help when dealing with unwanted homosexual tendencies. The ban would have been pure unadulterated child abuse.
Please Pray: “Thank You Father, for the Godly men and women who are serving You and us in the Maine Legislature. They not only stand up to egregious leftist legislation and defeat it but promote Judeo-Christian values in the bills they sponsor. Thank You for the victories we sustained and ask for victory to ban FGM by the people next June.”
“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
To God be the glory for great things He has done! May we continue to stand for righteousness and justice and trust Him for the outcome in our great State of Maine.
FMI: Legislature, PBD, FGM, and Conversion Therapy Ban
In closing, may I encourage each of you to work for our state and nation like it all depends on you and pray knowing it all depends on God.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Penny Morrell
State Director
CWA of Maine
director@maine.cwfa.org
me.cwfa.org
207-465-6015
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