Statewide
News From Across The State
Bill requiring CMP get town approvals for NECEC divides Committee
Published Date: 05/24/2019
Despite a third work session held May 22nd, the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology was still unable to agree on an emergency bill requiring CMP’s New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) receive voter approval from each municipality it intends to cross.…
Governor Mills Announces Opioid Response Summit
Published Date: 05/23/2019
Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration will convene an Opioid Response Summit on July 15, 2019 at the Augusta Civic Center. The summit, “Turning the Tide: Maine’s Path Forward in Addressing the Opioid Crisis,” will bring together members of the public, health providers, experts, affected individuals and families, and law enforcement officials from across Maine to foster collaboration on the state’s ongoing response to the opioid crisis.
…Governor Mills Nominates Individuals for Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission
Published Date: 05/23/2019
Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has nominated six people to serve on the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission. The Governor nominated John Cashwell, Robert Checkoway, James Cote, Kevin Hancock, former Senator Michael Pearson and former Senator Richard Rosen to serve on the Commission, an inter-governmental entity charged in part with reviewing the social, economic and legal relationship between Maine Tribes and the State.
…Economic roadmap will seek to grow and diversify Maine’s economy and build a skilled and robust workforce
Published Date: 05/21/2019
Economic roadmap will seek to grow and diversify Maine’s economy and build a skilled and robust workforce
…Governor Mills Honors Franco-Americans on Franco-American Day
Published Date: 05/16/2019
“One in every four Mainers is Franco-American and Québécois accents, cuisine, and culture can be found in every town from Biddeford to Fort Kent. Our history, families, businesses and values have been deeply connected for centuries, so it is only fitting that we pause today to honor the vast contributions of Franco-Americans to our state and our nation,”
…Governor Mills Signs Bill to Prohibit Native American Mascots in Maine
Published Date: 05/16/2019
Flanked by Maine tribal leaders and ambassadors, lawmakers, and education officials, Governor Janet Mills signed into law a bill passed unanimously by the Legislature to prohibit Native American mascots in all Maine public schools Thursday.
…Governor Mills Nominates Additional Candidates for University of Maine System Boards of Trustees
Published Date: 05/15/2019
Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has nominated two additional candidates to the University of Maine System Board of Trustees. Governor Mills previously nominated four candidates to the Board on March 28, 2019.
…Golden Urges Congress To Bring Local TV Access to Satellite Customers in the County
Published Date: 05/14/2019
Outdated TV signal law leaves many in Presque Isle without access to local news, weather, and emergency information
…Governor Mills Releases Biennial Budget Change Package
Published Date: 05/14/2019
Focuses on improving child welfare system, repairing school infrastructure, paying down debt & saving for rainy day
…Governor Mills Signs Bill to Establish Permanent Wabanaki Law Enforcement Seat on Maine Criminal Justice Academy Board of Trustees
Published Date: 05/14/2019
“The Maine Criminal Justice Academy Board of Trustees works to create excellence in law enforcement by listening to the diverse voices of elected officials, members of state and local government, and private citizens,” said Governor Mills. “By signing this legislation, we will also ensure the voices of Maine tribes are heard in the training and certification of our law enforcement officers and in advancing our shared goal of building a safer Maine.”
…Bill Aims to Restore Maine’s Original State Flag
Published Date: 05/10/2019
UPDATE 2: After receiving significant negative feedback to changing the current state flag, the Committee on State & Local Government voted 8 to 4 in favor of supporting a heavily amended LD 687. The amendment does away with re-instating Maine’s original state flag and instead tasks the Secretary of State’s office to develop a commemorative bicentennial flag for 2020.
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Senator Collins Highlights Importance of Aggressively Pursuing New International Markets for Maine Lobster & Seafood
Published Date: 05/10/2019
Maine Lobster has an in-state impact of approx. $1.5 billion per year, and aquaculture is on the rise
…Maine Pilotage Commission Meeting
Published Date: 05/10/2019
The Maine Pilotage Commission has received requests from the Eastport Pilots and Penobscot Bay & River Pilots to adjust their rates. A Public Meeting to discuss these requests will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2019 in Conference Room 216 at MaineDOT headquarters, 24 Capital Street, Augusta ME
If a Tree Falls in the Forest…
Published Date: 05/10/2019
Since January, I’ve traveled around our state to hear from Mainers, and I’ve made a point of meeting with loggers and folks in the forest products industry. Here are a few of the biggest challenges I’ve heard about from loggers…
…Bill Looks To Require Public Hearing For All Referendums
Published Date: 05/10/2019
The Committee on State and Local Government recently heard testimony on LD 1209, which requires public hearings for any citizen-initiated legislation (referendums) going to ballot. Current rules allow for legislative public hearings, but only if the legislature chooses to hold such hearings.…
Governor Mills Signs Bills to Strengthen Oversight, Improve Transparency in Electric Utility Company Billing Practices
Published Date: 05/09/2019
Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has signed two bills into law to improve transparency in customer billing practices and strengthen public oversight of transmission and distribution utilities.
…Paving Work in Franklin and Oxford Counties
Published Date: 05/06/2019
The Maine Department of Transportation is conducting paving work and guardrail improvements on Routes 4, 140, and 17 in Franklin and Oxford Counties. This work will require alternating one-way traffic from Monday through Saturday. The specific work areas are as follows…
Governor Mills Vetoes LD 822
Published Date: 05/02/2019
Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has vetoed LD 822, An Act to Prohibit the Sale of Motor Fuel Containing More Than 10 Percent Ethanol.
University of Maine, ORNL Launch Partnership to Catalyze 3D Printing with Wood-Based Products
Published Date: 05/02/2019
New $20 million additive manufacturing initiative connects local economies with national lab resources
…Maine DOE Kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week Early with Video Shout-outs to Maine Teachers #TeachMaine
Published Date: 05/02/2019
Teacher Appreciation Week runs May 6th through the 10th, and it is our hope that people throughout Maine, including students, will be encouraged to thank a teacher who has inspired or influenced them and share a video message through social media with the hashtag #TeachMaine. Please tag Maine DOE on Facebook and/or Twitter. We want to spread the word!
