Dear Editor:

Too often we are distracted by national headlines and fail to follow and understand what policies are being implemented on a local level in the Maine legislature. Votes cast by the Maine House representative from district 48 and the state senator from district 13 deserve close scrutiny as they drive policy.

In particular, I want to reference LD 1134, a bill that would have barred transgender-identifying males from women’s sports, locker rooms and restrooms. Our reps voted to allow men to compete in women’s sports as did Rick Bennett, an independent running for governor.

LD 660, a bill that would have increased transparency in public schools by allowing parents access to curriculum. Our reps voted against such access. How helpful this would have been in an age of no textbooks or online lessons. This should never be a partisan issue. As if parents didn’t have enough to contend with – monitoring their kid’s social media exposure and cell phone usage.

LD 607 – a bill that had it passed, would have promoted school choice and streamlined the transfer process. Our reps voted “Ought Not To Pass.”

LD 743 – An act to increase healthcare availability and affordability by eliminating the “Certificate of Need” requirement. CON laws require any hospital, surgical center, or clinic to prove a “need” exists in the market before it can build or expand. Existing providers are allowed to weigh in on whether a need exists, allowing them to block their competitors’ applications. States without CON laws have 91% more rural emergency rooms and 29% more hospitals than CON states. Maine is one of 35 states with CON laws that increase the cost of healthcare, decrease availability and patient choice. All Maine Democrat senators voted “Ought Not to Pass”. Maine has lost 12 hospital maternity units since 2015 in part due to this law.

It is clear that party allegiance overruled personal judgment. These are not decisions that put Maine families first, nor do they qualify as common sense.

Please consider supporting Erik Hobson for Maine House and Edwin (Win) Mitchell for State Senate. 

Meg Skidmore

Westport Island