WEEKLY ADVOCACY UPDATE

MAINE EPISCOPAL NETWORK
FOR JUSTICE
MAINE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION
COVID - 19 Updates and Information
MAINERS TOGETHER
A community based response to coronavirus
CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR
Locate your Representative and Senator here .
MAINE COUNCIL ON AGING
Information for older Mainers & Providers
MAINE EQUAL JUSTICE

Covid-19 resources for people who are struggling.
MAINE ASSOCIATION OF NONPROFITS

How to support nonprofits during the pandemic.

Highlights of the Week
The past week in Augusta was unprecedented in many ways. The arrival of Covid-19 in the state prompted the Governor and legislative leaders to take swift and decisive actions to curb the spread and severity of the virus in Maine.

While dozens of bills were working their way trough the legislative process, all attention almost immediately shifted to the creation and passage of an emergency supplemental budget to deal with the pandemic.

The legislature passed the bipartisan bill which gives the Governor substantial power and resources to deal with the growing health crisis. Upon passage of the bill, the legislature adjourned for the session almost a month ahead of schedule, with the possibility to return for a special session should the Governor call them back after the health crisis has abated.

On the final day of the session, legislators attention was on the current and future impacts of unemployment in the state, how to best support our local economy and mitigating the devastating hits to people and critical industry.

With that said, there are serious systemic cracks in the safety net programs we have been following this session that remain. The added pressure of the coronavirus will only put more tension on an already stressed system. We will need to be ready to add our faithful voices to the conversation.

EPISCOPAL ADVOCACY AND MINISTRY RESOURCES
The Episcopal Church addresses domestic poverty in many ways: through its network of over 600 Jubilee Ministries; one- and two-year Justice and Advocacy Fellowships based on the Anglican Marks of Mission; Asset-Based Community Development; collaboration with diocesan and congregational ministries across the country; and annual block-grant programs for the development (or enrichment) of local ministry.
The Office of Government Relations plays a key role in carrying out the mission of The Episcopal Church by bringing the experiences and values of our faith into decisions about our nation’s public policy.The Office represents the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C. All policy positions are based on General Convention and Executive Council resolutions, the legislative and governing bodies of the Church.
The Office of Social Justice and Advocacy Engagement is responsible for engaging Episcopalians in building, resourcing, and empowering advocacy movements and networks for social justice at a local and community level by connecting, organizing, and mobilizing people in the pews, and people in the pulpit.