Matt & Julie review the Worksession & Public Hearing Testimony from March 3, and preview the public hearings on March 8 and 12. Plus: Matt cringes, and Julie says "chutzpah" a bunch. A #LadySmythShoutOut and the first #LadySmythSmackdown... and it's ... ruff.

Matt & Julie review the work session votes and public hearing testimony from February 24; preview the March 3 public hearing, and take a quick look at some education bills going through some of the other committees. Plus: Matt wins a bet, Julie becomes protective, #LadySmythShoutOuts, AND the beginning of #LadySmythSmackdowns!

Matt & Julie review work session votes and testimony from the 2/17 Ed committee meetings. Plus: a wordsmithing gauntlet was thrown, and the challenge accepted. And then almost immediately failed. Also: lots of off-topic nonsense. #onbrand

Matt & Julie preview the Feb 17, 2021 Work Session and Public Hearing, looking at bills focusing on State/State's share of health insurance (LDs 84/293), establishing a committee to review instruction and curriculum mandates (LD 278), creating grants for computer science instruction professional development (LD 127), and reading proficiency (LD 138). Plus: Julie makes a bet and Matt chooses a Maserati... and #LadySmythShoutOuts!

Matt & Julie review testimony from the Feb8 Public Hearing. #SummerSchool grant pilot program (#LD44), eliminating prior approval for religious holiday absences (#LD55), and creating procedures for reporting concussions (#LD104). Plus: Matt makes a confession and #LadySmythShoutOuts! #ThankABill

Matt & Julie preview the February 8 Public Hearing: LD 44 (An Act To Establish the Summer Success Pilot Program Fund), LD 55 (An Act To Protect Minority Religious Groups by Eliminating the Prior Approval Requirement for a School Absence for a Recognized Religious Holiday), and LD 104 (An Act To Protect the Health of Student Athletes by Requiring the Establishment of Procedures To Report Concussions). Plus: Lady Smyth Shout-Outs, and Matt admits to being a terrible human being.

Matt & Julie do some updates from the DOE and talk about the extensive orientations the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee just went through. Plus, there are some spreadsheet updates AND a brand new segment: Lady Smythe Shout-Outs!

Matt and Julie introduce the members of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee for the 2021 session. They also review some legislative updates!

Matt and Julie are back with the annual "bill titles" episode, always one of the favorites for the Maine Education Matters hosts. This year, a special treat as Mr. Bill Titles joins Matt and Julie, all the way from California!

We wrap up our deep Maine DOE dive with a focus on the MOOSE platform; built by Maine teachers to provide integrated project-based learning modules to students, families and teachers. Plus: we announce a new co-host!!!