The current threat of Covid-19 is far from over, and many of Maine's hardest workers are being laid off or forced to take a leave of absence to take care of their children at home. We need protections for Maine's families to remain in their homes. By no fault of their own, their incomes are being affected and making a dollar stretch will get worse every passing day.

Before the first of April, a moratorium must be placed to prevent evictions and foreclosures from being filed, and last until July 2020, or when the threat of "Coronavirus" has passed. The number of confirmed cases rises every day and residents should not have to risk the health of their families and themselves to find "essential" job roles. As the disease spreads, it is crucial that Mainers stay home whenever possible, and have a place to call home when this crisis is all over.

This will in no way release tenants or homeowners from their obligation to pay their rent or mortgages, and any lease terms must continue as normal, without fear of retaliation of non-payment (I.E. Refusal by property management to make repairs necessary for the unit to be occupied). A "payment plan" can be installed once income has been reestablished, with no additional charges added due to late payment during the crisis. In regards to mortgages, interest must not be charged for those late payments.

This protection extends to businesses, who are having to close their doors to allow their employees to stay home where it is safest, or those that are deemed "non-essential," and have been ordered to close. Their ability to open their doors again when the crisis has passed is crucial to getting Mainers back to work.

The stimulus package passed by the U.S. federal government is not going to get a majority of citizens through the next few months. We must take this seriously and allow families to spend what little money they have on day-to-day essentials.

Janet Mills has the power and obligation to act in the best interest of her constituents. Please sign this petition, not only for yourself, but your friends, your neighbors, and your favorite shop down the road. We not only need to do what we must to survive this crisis, but to be able to pick up as best we can after it's all over.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay home.