MMA’s Advocacy Team is made up of five staff members who
facilitate the legislative efforts of the Association. Municipal officials are
encouraged to contact the advocacy staff with any questions, suggestions or
comments they may have with respect to state legislation or regulation, in
general, or MMA’s advocacy program. Staff may be reached at the Association’s
toll-free number 1-800-452-8786 or at the local number 207-623-8428.
Kate Dufour, Director of Advocacy & Communications
Extension #2213 or kdufour@memun.org
Kate has worked for MMA since 1995, served as the
Director of the SFR Department from 2017 to 2021, and has been
serving as Director of the Advocacy & Communications (A&C) Department
since 2021. Kate received her BA degree and Master’s degree in Public
Administration from the University of Maine. During the legislative session,
Kate oversees the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) proceedings and covers any
bills of municipal interest that are heard by the Appropriations and Financial
Affairs Committee.
Laura Ellis, Advocacy Associate
Extension #2207 or lellis@memun.org
Laura has worked for MMA since 1997. She has served as the Advocacy Associate since 2001. Laura provides an array
of administrative services to the advocacy department, including conducting the
LPC election every even-numbered year, providing the administrative work
associated with noticing and conducting all LPC meetings, coordinating all
staff schedules and A & C communications and
tracking the progress of all municipally related legislation throughout each
legislative session. Laura is the person to contact with any questions about
the Association’s Legislative Policy Committee or the current status of any
legislation. Laura is also the contact person if you would like any
document or publication sent to you that was either created by A & C staff or referenced in any of the
Department’s various publications or communications.
Rebecca Graham, Senior Legislative Advocate
Extension #2201 or rgraham@memun.org
Rebecca joined the Advocacy team starting in October 2017.
Rebecca received her BA degree from the University of Southern Maine and Master
of Laws, (LL.M) from the University of Ulster’s Transitional Justice Institute.
Rebecca has worked in international election observation, and democratic
governance evaluation, in former Soviet states. She serves as the chair of her
local planning board and as an election clerk. Rebecca’s areas of advocacy
are criminal justice & public safety, transportation, agriculture, insurance,
land use and housing. The joint standing legislative committees Rebecca will
work most closely with are:
- Agriculture, Conservation &
Forestry
- Criminal Justice &
Public Safety
- Health Coverage, Insurance
& Financial Services
- Housing (Joint Select
Committee)
- Inland Fisheries &
Wildlife
- Judiciary
- State & Local
Government
- Transportation
Rebecca Lambert, Municipal Issues Specialist
Extension #2307 or rlambert@memun.org
Rebecca joined MMA in June 2018 and transferred to the
A&C team in February 2022. Rebecca received her BS degree in Public
Administration from the University of Maine at Augusta. Rebecca has over 20
years of experience in the public service sector and serves on her local school
board in her hometown. Rebecca’s areas of advocacy are education,
energy and utilities, election issues, cannabis and right to know laws. The
joint standing legislative committees Rebecca will work most closely with are:
- Education
& Cultural Affairs
- Energy, Utilities &
Technology
- Innovation, Development,
Economic Advancement & Business
- Judiciary
- State & Local
Government
- Veterans & Legal
Affairs
Amanda Campbell, Legislative Advocate
Extension #2208 or acampbell@memun.org
Amanda joined the advocacy team in 2023 after serving for
several years at the local level as Town Clerk, Tax Collector and Town
Administrator. She holds a BS from the University of Maine at Farmington and
has experience in the private sector as a former small business owner. Amanda
currently serves on her local Assessment Review Board and as an election clerk.
Amanda’s areas of advocacy are environment, human services, labor, marine
resources, and taxation. The joint standing legislative committees Amanda will
work most closely with are:
- Environment & Natural Resources
-
Health & Human Services
-
Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
-
Labor & Housing
-
Marine Resources
-
Taxation