“Federal funding is not a political bargining chip.  President Trump’s threat to cut off funding to Maine is not only an egregious abuse of power— it’s an unconstitutional act of coercion designed to force states into compliance with its extreme and discriminatory agenda.  The courts have repetedly ruled that the federal government cannot withhold funding arbitrarily or use it as leverage to undermine established civil rights protections, including those enshrined in Title IX.  The state’s policies are in compliance with Maine Human Rights Act and relfect our commitment to ensuring equal opportunity for all students.  No president –Republican or Democrat–has the right to punish an entire state for upholding these principles.

If the President attemps to follow through with this threat, we will fight this in Congress, in the courts and alongside every Mainer who believes in equality under the law.”

“Neither of Senator Susan Collins’ (R) offices in Washington, DC or Portland, are accepting phone calls from the public currently. This blogger is trying to ascertain where the unpredicatble Senator stands on Trump’s threat to defund Maine schools.  Apparently, the Senator is not engaged in the issue.  The education of all Maine students is of no interest to her.” Her press person, Blake Kernen, likewise is not responding to an inquiry from this blogger for her position on the controversy.  Her DC office phone number is:  202 224-2523.  Her Portland phone number is:  207 – 618-5560.