In its last session, the Legislature focused on attacking workers rights, from stripping collective bargaining rights of daycare workers and DeCoster workers to weakening unemployment and workers compensation benefits.

The theme of the legislative session seemed to be a wholesale attack on workers rights and the middle class.

The workers comp bill, L.D. 1913 will result in a windfall for the insurance companies while denying injured workers the benefits they deserve. This measure will hurt our economy and hurt already struggling Maine families.

I’m discouraged and disappointed that Gov. Paul LePage and the Republicans in the Legislature chose to pick fights with workers instead of focusing on putting more Mainers back to work.

I’m a resident of Litchfield. Nearly five years ago I was injured on a job site. I will not be affected by the new workers compensation bill just passed, but anyone injured after Jan. 1 will be.

So I’ve been fighting against this bill not for my benefit but for the benefit of others. I went to a meeting with my senator and representative in Hallowell, testified at the Labor Committee hearing on the bill, and lobbied at the State House to try to explain to legislators how bad this bill will be for injured workers.

The bills put forth made no sense. Why would our representatives, people we put into office, be willing to pass bills that do nothing other than hurt the people they represent?

As Mainers, we need to make our elected officials accountable for their actions. In November, we can express our disappointments at the ballot box.

Charles Thompson

Litchfield

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