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Ten Years of Tuesdays Volunteering at the Statehouse
Advocacy volunteers worked the halls of the state capitol for a decade
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For about 10 years, Paul Armstrong, 67, has been among a group of dedicated AARP Maine volunteers who travel to the State House in Augusta every Tuesday during legislative sessions to advocate on behalf of 50-plus Mainers. The group is known as TASH, for Tuesdays at the State House, and is celebrating its 10th year.
As AARP Maine’s lead advocacy volunteer, Armstrong takes new volunteers under his wing, helping them learn the ins and outs of getting their voices heard among state legislators.
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“I was amazed at the access that we have,” says Armstrong. “Just as a nobody off the street, you [can] actually go and sit right on the floor of the Senate while they’re in session. I found that quite enthralling. I just kept going back.”
The Palermo resident first got involved with AARP Maine 14 years ago to fight for better practices for tapering off opiates, something he and his father were both going through at the time. He says he started by sitting in the State House lobby and being a steady presence.
“Getting to meet people and being noticed—you’re there week after week after week,” says Armstrong. “We started wearing red shirts, and we’ve become a force.... [Legislators know we’re] paying attention, and you know, that really made us feel good.”
The group’s successes over the past decade have included the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program, the Maine Retirement Investment Trust, lower prescription drug costs, and consumer anti-fraud protections to help prevent crypto ATM scams.
“When you’ve watched the bill that you started as an idea become law—and the governor actually asks that you’re there for the signing—you know it’s quite fulfilling,” Armstrong says.
To learn more or get involved, email me@aarp.org or visit aarp.org/states/maine/volunteer.
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