Maine Islands Coalition gathering in the Hall of Flags

The Maine Islands Coalition will be gathering in the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta on Tuesday, February 10th, from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. to highlight legislation in support of working waterfronts, affordable housing and transportation needs along the coastal corridor and islands of Maine.

 

Three specific legislative items will be focused on during this event in an effort to educate legislators about the needs and strategies for meeting these needs. Below are three documents with information about the different legislative strategies that have been submitted, along with the invitation which will be distributed to legislator's mailboxes on the morning of 2/10. Also below is the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition's list of campaign supporters.

 

We've asked the following organizations, who represent the legislation being submitted, to be present with displays in the Hall of Flags: Working Waterfront Coalition, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., Island Institute, Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, Genesis Community Loan Fund, Maine Lobsterman's Association, and Midcoast Fisherman's Association. These groups will need to arrive at the State House a little before 9 a.m. to set up their displays.

 

The speaking portion of the event will kick off promptly at 9:30 a.m. (please plan to arrive by 9 a.m.) with a welcome and overview of the needs presented by Hannah Pingree, Speaker of the House. Roger Berle, Co-Chair of the Maine Islands Coalition, will then provide a brief welcome. He will be followed by Bill Floyd (Genesis Community Loan Fund and Maine Affordable Housing Coalition) speaking about affordable housing needs. Marjorie Stratton (Maine Islands Coalition Co-Chair and member of the Knox County Islands Consortium) and Senator Dennis Damon will speak about transportation needs. Senator Chris Rector and at least one island fisherman will be speaking about working waterfront needs. The legislators will be in session that morning, so we will need to remain a little flexible depending on their ability to leave their sessions.

 

We need as many people to attend this event to demonstrate broad support for this legislation. Legislators will be walking through the Hall of Flags and there will be opportunities to discuss our needs and show them the displays. Coffee and pastries will be served during this event. We'd like all of the Maine Islands Coalition representatives to stand behind the speakers to demonstrate support during the speaking portion of the event.

 

The Hall of Flags event will be followed by a Maine Islands Coalition meeting, which will take place in the Welcome Center in the basement of the Hall of Flags from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. This meeting will focus on our legislative strategy for the coming months and how we can ensure that the bills are being tracked and people are rallied to speak on behalf of the legislation as it is being presented. This time will also provide us with an opportunity to get an update on other needs/legislation being submitted during this legislative session.