AUGUSTA - The Legislature's State and Local Government Committee voted Wednesday to advance a measure by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross that would give lawmakers a new tool to combat racial disparities in Maine's laws. The vote was 8-5.
"LD 2 is the first step in recognizing that many of our laws have produced disproportionate outcomes for generations of Black and indigenous populations in Maine," said Talbot Ross, D-Portland. "To disrupt this historical pattern, legislators must be intentional in factoring in race throughout the development, review and adoption of public policy."
Talbot Ross' bill would create a nonpartisan framework to assess a bill's potential impact on historically disadvantaged racial populations. Racial impact statements would provide data-driven analysis of proposed policies on historically disadvantaged racial populations.
At a press conference unveiling the measure earlier this month, legislative leaders lauded the proposal as a way to inform lawmakers as they consider legislation. The goal, they said, is to minimize disproportionate negative consequences.
"I see this bill as an opportunity for Maine to incorporate the best possible evidence into our decision making," said Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford. "This is a significant step toward advancing racial justice in Maine. In the pursuit of equality for all, the Maine Legislature would be taking a huge step forward by passing this bill."
"At the end of the day, our job is to do everything in our power to improve the lives of the people we represent," said Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Aroostook. "Its not enough to pass legislation that sounds good on paper or adopt policy proposals with good intentions. We must ensure the laws we pass deliver for and do right by Maine people, especially Indigenous Mainers and People of Color. We don't pass spending bills without first determining the fiscal impact. We shouldn't pass legislation without assessing the impact policies have on historically marginalized Maine people. I'm grateful to Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross for bringing this legislation forward."
LD 2 aligns with one of the key recommendations made in a report to the Legislature this past fall by the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations, a group Talbot Ross chairs. It also serves as part of a multi-pronged approach that Talbot Ross is implementing to integrate racial equity and justice into the core of the Legislature's work. In addition to authoring several bills, Talbot Ross has organized a comprehensive education and training series for all legislators and co-chairs a newly established Equity and Justice Legislative Caucus.
The bill faces further votes in the House and Senate.
Contact:
Katie Walsh [Talbot Ross], c. 776-2122