Good morning

Well, we are finally over the 250th birthday. Year 251 will be a better one starting November 3.

Lots going on here in Maine. Lots of good candidates to take Plattner’s place in the Senate race against Susan Collins. I hope he steps down quickly.

I try to keep you up to date on local things to do. Here is a candidates’ night in August.

It’s not until August 6, but should help you decide on your primary vote. So put it on your calendars.

In the meantime, write or call to Moody and Scott about protecting our national forests.

Over 59 million acres of national forest land has been protected from road construction and large-scale logging since 2001, due to the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Now they are trying to rescind the Rule.

Here’s a script:

“Hello I’m a constituent from ___ and I’d like you to oppose the amendment to S. 140, the Wildfire Prevention Act, that repeals the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The Roadless Rule has been critically important in safeguarding habitats and species, in preventing wildfires and in providing communities with clean drinking water. These safeguards for our national forests should remain in place. Let’s stop putting profits over people and the environment. Thank you.”

202-224-3121 is the Senate phone.

There’s more.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed sweeping changes to the federal grantmaking process that would threaten the ability of nonprofits, local governments, and community-based organizations to deliver critical services to the people who need them most. These proposed changes would politicize grantmaking, undermine nonpartisan standards, and make it harder for organizations to serve their communities.

The good news: there is a formal public comment process, and your voice matters. Federal agencies are required to read and respond to public comments — and a strong, high-volume response can make a real difference.

Submit your public comment by July 13

You can submit a comment by clicking here or by going to regulations.gov and searching for the OMB docket number OMB-2026-0034.

Not sure what to say? The National Council of Nonprofits has put together helpful resources to walk you through the process: Public Comment Guide

You can also email your member of Congress about this here.

And, of course, today is Wednesday so we will be rallying at Mast’s office in Stuart (171 SW Flagler) from 11-12. Join the merry bunch of regulars. We need to show him we are going to boot him out.

Thanks for your energy and for being here with us

Barbara & Ginger