My Work

The priorities of our community are at the heart of my work. 

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The urgent work we must do to address the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and combat racial disparities has sharpened my focus and increased my passion for this work. 

  • Ensuring all Mainers have access to affordable healthcare 

  • Promoting economic opportunity and security for Mainers and supporting Maine businesses

  • Advocating for strong, equitable public education 

  • Protecting our environment and meeting Maine’s climate goals

  • Working against systemic racism and toward racial justice

As State Representative for Cape Elizabeth, I passed key environmental, healthcare and economic security bills.

My legislative accomplishments in the 129th Legislature prove my effectiveness as a legislator, and show District 29 voters just what kind of Senator I’ll be.

Environmental and Fiscal Responsibility for Oil Terminals: I introduced “An Act to Ensure Proper Closure of Oil Terminal Facilities,” LD 2033, to establish a statutory framework for closure so that, as oil facilities reach the end of their usefulness, those sites can be repurposed. Passed just before the Legislature adjourned on March 17th, this new law requires oil terminal owners to remove tanks and clean up contaminated soil when the facilities are no longer used. Owners must show they have financial reserves to cover the cost of cleaning, removal, and remediation of the site to receive an operating license. 

Eliminating Foam Food Containers: I helped shape Maine’s first-in-the-nation foam food container ban, LD 289, “An Act To Prohibit the Use of Certain Disposable Food Service Containers.” The polystyrene legislation I proposed was combined with a similar bill sponsored by Representative Zeigler to create an effective ban that also allows for public health and safety exemptions.

Affordable Care for Children: Affordable healthcare is beyond reach for many Maine families. I sponsored “An Act To Provide Maine Children Access to Affordable Health Care,” LD 1539, in response to Maine’s high rate of uninsured children. This bill provides affordable health coverage to Maine children up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level by bringing our state Children’s Health Insurance Program into line with the federal CHIP matching funds. It has passed the House and Senate and is carried over awaiting funding. As parents lose jobs, children are losing access to healthcare because of the pandemic. This legislation will give children health coverage that is not tied to the workplace.

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Affordable Postpartum Care: Postpartum complications, particularly for those with low incomes, impacts the health of mothers, their capacity to care for newborns, and their ability to return to work if they choose. I sponsored “An Act To Provide Women Access to Affordable Postpartum Care,” LD 1957, to improve coverage and access to healthcare for women insured through MaineCare during a medically vulnerable phase of their lives. This bill awaits further action.

Protections for Pregnant Workers: Maine’s new pregnancy accommodation law passed the House and Senate with unanimous support. I sponsored “An Act To Protect Pregnant Workers,” LD 666, to fix a significant problem in our employment laws. Maine workers now have the right to reasonable accommodations for pregnancy and related conditions including longer breaks, temporary changes in work schedules, and provisions for lactation, so long as they do not cause undue hardship for the business. 

Helping Veteran Workers: “An Act To Create Veteran-friendly Workplaces,” LD 1654, requires employers to give veterans time off to attend appointments at Veteran Administration facilities. This bill was sponsored by Rep. Ben Collings; through amendment I simplified the bill and worked to achieve unanimous committee support. The bill passed by unanimous consent in the House and Senate and was signed by Governor Mills before a group of Legislators who served our country in the military.

Preventing Financial Exploitation: “An Act To Protect Vulnerable Persons from Theft,” LD 316, will give law enforcement greater tools to fight financial crimes against vulnerable adults. I sponsored this bill in response to the millions of dollars Mainers lose to phone, email, and social media scams. If enacted, LD 316 will raise the crimes of theft by deception, misapplication of property, or unauthorized taking and misuse of entrusted property to felony levels when the owner of the property is dependent on others for care or support.  This bill is carried over awaiting funding.