AUGUSTA — Volunteers from the Maine People’s Alliance fanned out across Maine on Monday to deliver a message to Sen. Susan Collins — please oppose the extension of the 2017 tax cuts and preserve access to social services. 

The groups delivered a letter to all six of Collins’ offices signed by about 1,300 people. 

In Augusta, about a dozen people spoke with a Collins representative in a small conference room in the Edmund S. Muskie Federal Building. 

“I’m here mainly for my grandchildren,” said Judith Johnson of Monmouth. “I’m very disturbed to see what was happening.” 

She mentioned potential cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. Others said despite assurances that the programs will not be cut, staffing and services have been significantly reduced. 

The letter outlines concerns about potential federal budget cuts and calls on Collins to stop them. Collins, a Republican, serves as chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

“We expect you to use your powerful position in the Senate to protect the well-being of all Mainers — and by extension all Americans,” the letter reads. “Consider how many Mainers rely on federal support and healthcare programs, including programs to which they have contributed throughout their working lives.” 

The letter notes that nearly 370,000 Mainers receive Social Security benefits and more than 375,000 are on Medicare. 

A spokesperson for Collins said in a statement that 90% of Maine taxpayers are benefiting from the 2017 tax cuts, with families seeing a 12% reduction on average. 

When it comes to Social Security benefits, the spokesperson said Collins “would oppose any plan” to cut them. 

“She strongly supports programs like Medicaid that help the most vulnerable,” according to the statement. 

The statement also noted that Collins opposed a budget resolution earlier this month because of a House amendment that called for the committee that oversees Medicaid to cut $880 billion from the program. 

After the meeting in Augusta, the group held a small demonstration outside the federal building, holding signs saying “Restore Our Constitution” and “Social Security Yes! Elon Musk No!” 

Elizabeth Leonard, one of the organizers, said they are hoping Collins will “obstruct” the renewal of the tax cuts first passed in 2017. 

“The rich people that will benefit from those tax cuts, the ultra-rich people, they don’t need any breaks, ordinary Mainers need breaks,” she said.