Lobby Corps

The Legislative Lobby Corps is an LWVME initiative which pursues a full lobbying agenda in Augusta. Begun with the 2007 legislative calendar, the Lobby Corps is an on-going, important part of League activities.

The legislative priorities as adopted by the State Board include: election administration & voting rights, civil liberties, clean elections & campaign finance reform, civil rights, freedom of information, governmental ethics & disclosure, and term limits repeal. Within these priorities, the Board reviews all proposed legislation and rule-making by relevant agencies (such as the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices) and monitors special legislative study committees to determine those areas where we can make a significant impact.

League members from around the state analyze relevant bills and regulations, help choose those where the League can make a real difference, apply established League positions to the issue, write testimony, attend committee and agency hearings and work sessions, review and comment upon relevant proposed administrative agency regulations, contact legislators and help publicize our work. These activities are co-ordinated by the League's Advocacy Committee.

This is an all-volunteer effort so the larger our Lobby Corps team, the greater difference we can make in Augusta! Even if you have only an hour or two you can spare a month you can be a valuable member of our team! Most of this work can be done from your home or office.

We need volunteers interesting in doing one or more of the following:

• Download, read and analyze a proposed law
• Apply established League positions to the bill
• Help design a "lobbying blueprint" for the bill (when we should do what)
• Help track dates for public hearings, work sessions and other activities
• Assist in preparing written testimony for oral presentation by our President
• Lobby legislators to support League positions (either in Augusta or your home District)
• Attend public hearings and/or work sessions in Augusta
• Monitor proposed agency rule-making, develop testimony when needed
• Monitor special legislative committees that often meet between sessions
• Help start a "Legislative Listserv" to keep our members informed of Lobby Corps activities.

Maine Law: How the Legislature Makes Maine Laws & How to Find Information about the Laws on the Web, a PowerPoint presentation from Bob Michaud at the Maine Law Library.

Contact us: To volunteer or for more information, contact Ann Luther, 622-0256; lwvme@gwi.net.