Toby Koles of Saco claims that Gov. Mills’ pro-choice stance conflicts with her Imagination Library initiative to encourage childhood literacy: “Does Gov. Mills want aborted babies and no books, or books for babies who are born and given the blessed gift of life, to be able to read those books?” (“Letter to the editor: Abortion, babies and books: Gov. Mills has me confused,” July 24).

A month in the wake of the recent Dobbs v. Jackson decision, Koles’ letter promotes a misinformed outlook on the alleged loss of our governor’s commitment to life. I am a Medicaid recipient, and Gov. Mills’ MaineCare expansion facilitated my access to treatment for chronic illness. I am a young student, and Gov. Mills’ free community college initiative for pandemic-era students gives me hope for the future of affordable higher education. I am a woman, and Gov. Mills’ promise to uphold the tenets of Roe v. Wade assures me that my rights to reproductive care in Maine will not be revoked. These policies have not only secured a greater quality of life for Mainers now and in the future, but have also saved lives – including my own.

Although Koles’ “pro-life” letter draws the line at Gov. Mills’ commitment to bodily autonomy, it’s clear to me that Gov. Mills cares for Mainers’ lives, and in many senses of the word.

Maddy M. Corson
Yarmouth