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Throughout her public career, I believe Gov. Janet T. Mills has demonstrated a sustained commitment to advancing safety, dignity, and justice for women and survivors of violence. Drawing on her own experience as a survivor of domestic violence, she has worked to strengthen legal protections, expand access to services, and ensure the justice system responds with seriousness and compassion.
That commitment was evident in her support for LD 1816, legislation that created a statewide tracking system for completed sexual assault forensic evidence kits. The law required a comprehensive inventory of kits held by law enforcement, an essential step toward transparency, accountability, and timely justice for survivors. LD 1816 reflected years of collaborative work between legislators and the executive branch to improve systems that support survivors and promote public trust. I was proud to cosponsor this initiative led by Sen. Jill Duson.
As a member of the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, I participated directly in the budget negotiations that resulted in funding for LD 1816. Those discussions were deliberate and transparent, and the supplemental budget that included this funding advanced through the established legislative process. Mills’ leadership and long-standing advocacy for survivors made this outcome possible.
Claims suggesting otherwise, particularly those circulating in recent political advertisements produced by the Graham Platner campaign, ignore and deny the development of LD 1816 and the budget process that supported it. Suggesting the funding resulted from last-minute advocacy diminishes the sustained, responsible efforts of those who led this work, including survivors of sexual assault.
On issues of this gravity, accuracy matters. Credit should be given where it is due, and the facts should be respected.
Rep. Holly Stover
Boothbay
