NAIFA-Maine’s virtual Legislative Breakfast on March 9 featured video conference meetings connecting NAIFA members with state lawmakers whose policy decision impact the businesses of insurance and financial professionals as well as the consumers they serve. Legislators in attendance included:

• Ned Claxton (D-Androscoggin)
• Heather Sanborn (D-Cumberland)
• Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook)
• Mark Blier (R-Limington and parts of Buxton, Limerick, and Standish)
• Margaret Craven (D-Part of Lewiston)
• Jessica Fay (D-Parts of Casco, Portland, and Raymond)
• Patty Hymanson (D-Ogunquit and parts of Sanford, Wells, and York)
• Kristi Mathieson (D-Part of Kittery)
• Melanie Sachs (D-Freeport and part of Pownal)

Sens. Sanborn and Stewart were featured speakers.

The event also featured party-specific small-group meetings and sessions with key members of the Legislature’s Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services and Committee on Taxation.

NAIFA’s national Senior Vice President for Government Relations Diane Boyle provided a federal legislative update. NAIFA-ME’s lobbyist, Dan Bernier, gave an update on state issues.

Meeting with state legislators as part of a coordinated legislative event is an important part of NAIFA’s grassroots strategy. These events show the strength of NAIFA’s numbers and help members develop relationships with lawmakers. Along with NAIFA’s professional lobbying in Augusta and state IFAPAC giving, grassroots is a critical leg of NAIFA’s state advocacy strategy in Maine.