Sign and Share the Covid Justice Resolution
For years, Americans have waited for an honest reckoning with the COVID-19 response—one grounded in reality rather than excuses or institutional gaslighting. Instead, the nation endured the most sweeping suspension of civil liberties in modern history, driven by emergency powers that often lacked evidence, silenced dissent, and inflicted lasting harm, especially on children, small businesses, the elderly, and the working class.
This proposed Senate resolution is a first step toward clarity. View the Sponsoring Organizations here.
Click the picture to read more and to sign and share the Resolution.
Hospitality Related Bills
ACTION ALERT
URGENT: Data Privacy Bill That Threatens Customer Outreach Heads
to Senate Next Week
Please Contact Your State Senator
& Ask Them to Oppose LD 1822
The Maine Senate is expected to take up LD 1822, the Maine Online Data Protection Act, as early as next Tuesday.
The House advanced the Majority Report on a razor-thin 71–68 vote. The margin was extremely narrow, and the outcome likely would have been different had several absent legislators been present. The bill now is before the Senate, and outreach from hospitality and tourism employers could determine the result.
It directly threatens the ability of lodging establishments, restaurants, and tourism operators to reach potential guests through the targeted digital advertising tools that drive bookings, fill vacancies, and attract visitors in an increasingly competitive travel market.
LD 1822 would make Maine a national outlier by imposing sweeping restrictions that go well beyond the balanced privacy frameworks adopted in nearly 20 other states.
We have stopped versions of this bill before, but only with strong engagement from the business community.
Please contact your State Senator immediately and urge them to OPPOSE LD 1822.
What LD 1822 Would Mean for Hospitality & Tourism Businesses:
· Restricts the targeted marketing tools hotels, inns, attractions, and restaurants rely on to reach travelers
· Limits the ability to promote shoulder-season travel and last-minute availability
· Increases compliance costs and legal uncertainty for small operators
· Places Maine businesses at a competitive disadvantage to destinations in neighboring states
· Takes Maine far beyond the balanced, proven privacy models used across the country
This bill would harm Maine businesses' ability to connect with future customers and promote travel to the state.
You can find your Senator here:
https://legislature.maine.gov/senate/
Suggested message:
“I urge you to oppose LD 1822. Maine’s hospitality and tourism businesses rely on responsible digital outreach to attract visitors and remain competitive. This bill goes too far and would restrict how we connect with potential guests. Maine should follow the balanced approach adopted in other states, not become a national outlier.”
Your voice matters — especially now.
Your outreach to these Senators will be especially important:
Sen. Cameron Reny (Lincoln Cty.) - Cameron.Reny@Legislature.Maine.gov
Sen. Chip Curry (Waldo) - Chip.Curry@Legislature.Maine.gov
Sen. Rick Bennett (Oxford Cty.) - Richard.Bennett@Legislature.Maine.gov
Sen. Peggy Rotundo (Androscoggin Cty.) - Margaret.Rotundo@legislature.maine.gov
Sen. Pinny BeeBe-Center (Knox Cty.) - Anne.Beebe-Center@legislature.maine.gov
Sen. Mattie Daughtry (Cumberland Cty.) - Mattie.Daughtry@legislature.maine.gov
Sen. Jill Duson (Cumberland Cty.) - Jill.Duson@legislature.maine.gov
Sen. Teresa Pierce (Cumberland Cty.) - Teresa.Pierce@legislature.maine.gov
Sen. Craig Hickman (Kennebec Cty.) - Craig.Hickman@legislature.maine.gov
Sen. Tim Nangle (Cumberland Cty.) - Timothy.Nangle@legislature.maine.gov
Sen. Joe Rafferty (York Cty.) - Joe.Rafferty@legislature.maine.gov
Positive Preliminary Committee Vote on Tourism Marketing Funds
This week, the Housing & Economic Development (HED) Committee voted 7–1 to recommend rejecting the proposed $700,000 transfer in the supplemental budget that would have diverted funds from the Tourism Marketing Fund.
This outcome is the result of strong outreach from Maine’s hospitality and tourism industry, and we appreciate the support of Rep. John Eder (Waterboro), Rep. Cassie Julia (Waterville), Rep. Grayson Lookner (Portland), Rep. Mark Walker (Naples), Rep. Amanda Collamore (Pittsfield), Rep. Yusuf Yusuf (Portland), and Sen. Chip Curry (Waldo) for their vote to protect this critical investment in Maine’s visitor economy.
This is a recommendation from the HED Committee. The final decision now rests with the Appropriations Committee, and we will remain focused on ensuring tourism marketing resources are preserved as the budget process continues.
Update Provided by Nate Cloutier
Urge the MPA to Amend Gender Identity Policy
Contact: Heidi Sampson
Executive Director, Maine Education Initiative
Email: Heidi@FixMaineSchools.com
Cell: 207.590.1909
Maine Education Initiative and Maine Girl Dads Urge MPA to
Amend Gender Identity Policy for Female Athletes’ Safety and Fairness
AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Education Initiative, a project of Maine Policy Institute, in collaboration with the Maine Girl Dads coalition, has released a formal letter urging the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) to amend its Gender Identity Participation Policy to ensure fairness and safety in girls’ sports. The letter, authored by Heidi H. Sampson, Director of the Maine Education Initiative, and Samuel J. Whiting, Esq., calls for immediate policy changes to protect female athletes and align with Title IX requirements.
The letter highlights legal concerns surrounding the MPA’s current policy, which allows male students identifying as female to compete in girls’ sports without a vetting process. It argues that this practice compromises competitive fairness and raises safety risks for female athletes. Additionally, the letter asserts that recent federal actions, including President Trump’s Executive Order 14201, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” reinforce Title IX protections for female athletes and require compliance from state and local education entities.
“The MPA’s policy, as it stands, is not only unfair but also places female athletes at risk,” said Heidi Sampson. “Title IX was designed to ensure equal athletic opportunities for women, and by allowing male athletes to compete in girls' sports, the MPA is violating the very principles that protect female athletes.”
The Maine Education Initiative argues that compliance with federal law is necessary to protect female athletes' rights and prevent potential liabilities for schools.
“We urge the MPA to act swiftly to amend its policy,” said Samuel J. Whiting, Esq. “Failure to do so not only contradicts legal precedent, but also risks serious consequences for Maine’s schools and student-athletes.”
The call for change is also strongly supported by Maine Girl Dads, a coalition of fathers advocating for their daughters’ rights in sports. Josh Tabor, a leader of the coalition, stressed the importance of protecting opportunities for young female athletes:
“Our daughters train hard, compete fairly, and deserve a level playing field. The MPA’s policy is stripping them of their right to fair competition and putting their safety at risk. Over 8,500 fathers in Maine have signed our petition to say enough is enough. We will not stand by while our girls are pushed aside. It’s time for the MPA to step up and protect female athletes,” Tabor said.
The petition can be found at www.MaineGirlDads.com.
The Maine Education Initiative and Maine Girl Dads warn that failure to amend the policy could result in legal consequences for both the MPA and its member schools, as the U.S. Department of Education has launched investigations into Title IX violations within Maine’s education system.
The Maine Education Initiative calls on the MPA to reconsider its stance and align its policies with federal Title IX regulations to uphold fairness and safety in girls’ sports.
The Maine Education Initiative is a project of Maine Policy Institute. The Maine Education Initiative’s mission is to empower parental involvement in K-12 education and encourage Maine school boards to adopt model policies that increase transparency, fiscal responsibility, and accountability in Maine public schools.
The full letter to the Maine Principals' Association can be read here
The Maine Education Initiative, a project of Maine Policy Institute, works to empower parental involvement in K-12 education and encourage Maine school boards to adopt model policies that increase transparency, fiscal responsibility, and accountability in Maine public schools.
Protect Maine Girls & Maine Schools, Please Sign
It is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for federally funded education programs or activities to operate, sponsor, or facilitate athletic programs or activities that allow individuals of the male sex to participate in programs or activities that are designated for women or girls.
Please add your name so we can present the strongest possible coalition of Maine people to protect Maine girls from biological males in their sports and spaces.
Our young women are not our governor's priority:
https://x.com/i/status/1893631574882582930
Click the picture to read and sign