It's no surprise that the farmers and fishers who work Maine's lands and waters are the most dedicated to preserving them. 🌊 Meet Ailin and Amy Rafferty, owners of Diver Services in Mount Desert Island, who found an innovative way to make a living while helping the ocean thrive. A few years ago, they started harvesting sea stars for the educational market - turning what fishermen consider a pest into a sustainable business opportunity. Working with a CEI Business Advisor, they applied for grant funding and strengthened their business. "When people in the community found out I was catching starfish - which fishermen hate because they're the bane of their existence - everyone started telling me where to find them. So there are opportunities on the water where you don't have to be in competition. You can go out and make a living while actually helping the ecosystem." This is what happens when we support our coastal communities with the right resources and financing. The people who work these waters every day know them best - and they're often the most committed to protecting them. (fb)

Maine's economic future depends on working families having access to quality childcare. LD1955 would fund the Child Care Affordability Program, moving 90% of the 630 children off the childcare waitlist. From Raphael Kabata's testimony last week in Augusta: "When CCAP became unavailable, we watched parents—many starting new or entry-level jobs—struggle to pay tuition. Some were forced to withdraw their children... Without CCAP, they had no choice but to stay home, losing income or job opportunities." 🚩TAKE ACTION: Contact members of the Health and Human Services Committee before next week's committee vote. Tell them to support the $4.8M Child Care Affordability Program in LD1955! (fb)