George Simonson’s March 8 letter involves a justified concern about potential abridgment of our constitutional rights. He urges that Maine pass a Universal Civil Rights Act (UCRA), similar to laws in Minnesota and Colorado. But the Minnesota and Colorado laws are anti-discrimination laws, and at least the Minnesota law was passed with bipartisan support many years ago.

I suggest that we push for passage of a state law in Maine, a Universal Constitutional Remedies Act, which would allow citizens to sue federal as well as state and local officials in state court, for damages for all kinds of violations of the federal Constitution.

For example, per the 15th Amendment, one such violation would be denying or abridging the right of citizens to vote. It would also provide remedies for constitutional violation by federal officials in the FBI, ICE, et al., perhaps especially the Fourth, Fifth and Eighth amendments (the Fourth deals with arbitrary arrest and detention). LD 2176, currently being considered in Maine, would allow such suits in state court but only for wrongful or unlawful detention.

A broader UCRA for Maine is needed, and I hope that our citizens will strongly advocate for passage, perhaps starting by contacting state Sen. Jill Duson, who introduced LD 2176, asking her to propose needed modifications. Maybe we can find enough bipartisan support in our Legislature. If not, I encourage Democrats to pass it on a straight party-line vote.

Jay Lacke
Westbrook