Talbot Ross Set To Become Next Maine House Speaker In Historic Win

By Evan Popp, Maine Beacon:

Rachel Talbot Ross was nominated Thursday as Democrats’ pick for Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, paving the way for the Portland progressive to become the first Black Mainer to lead the legislative chamber.

Talbot Ross was previously the assistant majority leader — becoming the first Black person selected to a leadership role in the Maine Legislature — under outgoing House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford), the first openly gay person to serve in that position. She defeated fellow Portland Rep. Ed Crockett for the speaker position Thursday.

“I am proud of all that we accomplished during the 130th Legislature, but I know there is still so much more to do to address the many challenges facing our state, including the rising cost of living, climate change and a lack of access to affordable housing and healthcare,” Talbot Ross said in a statement. “Should I receive the support of the full Legislature, I will continue to push for progress in our state and use my position of leadership to work to improve the lives of all Mainers.”

The victory for Talbot Ross, who will officially take the position of speaker after the new legislature is seated in December, was made possible after Democrats retained their majority in the Maine House, defying the expectations of some who expected them to lose control of the chamber. Democrats actually grew their majority, taking 82 seats to Republicans’ 67, with several independent candidates also winning. The Democrats also control the state Senate and the Blaine House.

Talbot Ross, who has led the Maine NAACP and served as Portland’s director of equal opportunity and multicultural affairs, was first elected to the Maine House in 2016. Her victory in the speaker’s race means the chamber will be led by a legislator who has amassed a lengthy record of progressive policy achievements, including around issues of criminal justice reform and racial justice.

The new speaker has been one of the most active legislators in recent years, introducing a flurry of bills, many of which were signed into law and others of which advanced important ideas even if they ultimately came up short.

One bill Talbot Ross successfully spearheaded was a measure in 2021 to include racial impact statements in the legislative process as a way of ensuring that lawmakers keep in mind how bills can impact historically disadvantaged communities. In 2021, Talbot Ross also led the legislative fight to restore MaineCare benefits to all low-income Mainers regardless of immigration status. While the effort to restore coverage for all immigrants fell short, aspects of Talbot Ross’ bill were incorporated into the 2021 state budget in a move that provided coverage under MaineCare to those under 21 and people who are pregnant, regardless of immigration status.

Talbot Ross has also worked on a litany of criminal justice reform measures meant to push back against Maine’s punitive carceral and legal systems. For example, she sponsored a measure that was ultimately signed by Gov. Janet Mills to prevent employees from asking about potential workers’ criminal history on an initial application form, except under certain circumstances, and barring employers from saying they won’t consider workers with a criminal history for a job.

Another successful bill that Talbot Ross sponsored changed Maine trafficking laws by requiring prosecutors who pursue felony drug trafficking charges to prove a person actually intended to sell drugs, rather than determining that someone is a “dealer” based on the amount of drugs they are arrested with.

In addition, Talbot Ross has been a champion of reforming cash bail, a system that often results in people who are legally innocent being held in jail because they lack the financial means to post bond. One bill Talbot Ross sponsored — which was signed into law — eliminated cash bail for people charged with a Class E crime, the least severe misdemeanor charge. However, not all of her efforts on that front have been successful, as a measure Talbot Ross put forward to amend the bail code to reduce penalties when it comes to violations of conditions of release was vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills in 2021.

Talbot Ross also clashed with Mills, a conservative Democrat who has often frustrated progressives with her vetoes, over the issue of tribal sovereignty. During the last legislative session, Talbot Ross sponsored a landmark measure that would have recognized the Wabanaki tribes’ inherent sovereignty and reset a relationship with the state that Indigenous leaders have long argued is fraught with paternalism and unfair treatment. However, the bill died in the state legislature amid opposition from Mills.

Still, Talbot Ross and the tribes did successfully work with Mills to pass another bill designed to facilitate better tribal-state relations, implement tax benefits on tribal land and legalize and establish a regulatory framework for sports wagering on Wabanaki territory.

Progressive advocates will likely be happy with Talbot Ross’ selection as speaker, as she has fared well on their legislative scorecards. For example, Talbot Ross received perfect scores from Maine People’s Alliance (of which Beacon is a project), the Maine AFL-CIO, the Maine Service Employees Association and the Maine Conservation Voters for her work during the 130th Legislature.

Along with Talbot Ross, House Democrats on Thursday elevated Rep. Mo Terry of Gorham to the position of majority leader — the number two spot in the House — and Rep. Kristen Cloutier of Lewiston as assistant majority leader, the chamber’s number three position.

Terry, who replaces the termed-out Michelle Dunphy of Old Town as majority leader, is entering her fourth and final term in the House. She has served on the legislature’s Taxation Committee, including as chair during the last session.

“In the last legislature, we made significant progress on property tax relief, public education, healthcare, housing, climate change and more,” Terry said in a statement. “However, so many Mainers are continuing to struggle to make ends meet. I look forward to uniting the members of our caucus to fight for policies that will provide relief for Maine families and benefit every corner of our state.”

Cloutier, who replaces Talbot Ross as assistant majority leader, is entering her third term in the House and has served on both the Taxation Committee and the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. She is also the House chair of a commission tasked with recommending legislation to establish a statewide paid family and medical leave policy.

“From keeping people warm through the upcoming winter to supporting our friends and neighbors who are caring for their family members, there is so much work to be done,” Cloutier said. “I am excited to work to keep our caucus united and to deliver results for Mainers from every walk of life. I can’t wait to hit the ground running.”

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