A while ago, the respected Supreme Court watcher Tom Goldstein wrote that if “the measure of a Justice’s greatness is his contribution of new and thoughtful perspectives that enlarge the debate, then Justice Thomas is now our greatest Justice.”

This year the Legislature has the opportunity to expand school oral health services to all students across Maine. LD 1501, “An Act to Protect Oral Health for Children in Maine,” opens eligibility for the School Oral Health Program so that all schools can participate.

If you ever need to call the helpline, please know that the advocate on the other end will believe you, support you and provide you with the best possible advocacy they can. We will also never make you report or do anything that you are not ready for. It is about you and what your needs are at that time.

Sometimes the chosen kin or friend’s kin has fine qualifications. But the sense that their inside track gives them advantages over others with equally fine qualifications leaves a bad taste. It’s also un-American.

It is now up to Republicans. They should not just point out the obvious failures of the Biden presidency, but propose solutions that will reverse disastrous foreign and domestic policies. Maybe they could call it “walk forward better.”

No one can give justice to the 4,743 men and women Congress failed. Any meaningful chance to do so long ago turned to dust. Yes, people of color still suffer racially motivated killings, and this bill (the Emmett Till Antilynching Act) provides a new tool to hold perpetrators accountable. That’s an undeniably good thing.