MMA’s advocacy staff publishes the Legislative Bulletin every Friday when the Maine Legislature is in session for distribution electronically, by U.S. mail and posted on the website. The benefit of an electronic subscription is access to the material no later than noon on the day of publication. From an advocacy perspective, the Friday morning receipt of the bulletin provides readers with the opportunity to connect with legislators on important municipal issues on their home turf before they return to Augusta the following week.
The Bulletin, usually six to eight pages, contains the following information:
- In the Hopper: The title, sponsor, and a description of new bills of municipal interest are listed as soon as they are printed.
- Public Hearing Schedule: Notice of public hearings on those bills is provided for the following week (two weeks of public hearing notices are provided if space allows).
- Articles: Advocacy staff report on the outcome of public hearings and work sessions, and let municipal officials know if they need to contact their legislators on any of the issues.
- MMA policy positions: MMA’s membership and legislators are informed of policy positions that have been decided by MMA’s Legislative Policy Committee, which meets at least once a month while the Legislature is in session to review legislation that has been submitted and to take positions on legislation as it deems necessary.
During the hectic pace of legislative sessions, municipal officials and legislators alike value the Legislative Bulletin for its timeliness and content. Special editions of the Bulletin are published during non-session months as issues of significant municipal interest arise.
The publication is mailed to city and town managers, administrators, selectmen and councilors, mayors, assessors, administrative assistants, MMA Board members, and legislators. Other municipal officials may receive it upon request by contacting MMA’s Publications Department.