Statewide
News From Across The State
Governor Mills Convenes First Meeting of Children’s Cabinet
Published Date: 05/02/2019
Cabinet outlines immediate action, including the establishment of a new Chief Pediatrician for Maine, to support children’s health and safety
…Governor Mills Signs Executive Order Creating ATV Task Force
Published Date: 05/01/2019
Although there are many ATV users who are operating on public and private lands responsibly, the Task Force comes at a time when there are other ATV operators who are disobeying state laws and trespassing on and damaging private lands. Governor Mills’ Executive Order establishes the Task Force to evaluate and recommend policy changes that will protect private lands and help preserve outdoor recreation opportunities, like ATV use, and their economic benefits.
Governor Mills Introduces Bill to Establish Maine Climate Council
Published Date: 04/30/2019
The Climate Council will develop the action plan and timetable to meet the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, to promote jobs and economic benefits for Maine people in the transition to a lower carbon economy, and to support the climate resiliency of Maine’s communities.
…Rural Schools Tackle Attendance Issues at Spring Summit in Bangor
Published Date: 04/30/2019
District and school administrators and educators from thirty-six districts and education entities in rural Maine convened at Jeff’s Catering in Bangor recently for the first ever Rural Maine Attendance Summit organized by RSU 74 Superintendent Mike Tracy.
Input Sought for Teacher Shortage Areas
Published Date: 04/30/2019
As part of a federal requirement, the Maine Department of Education submits to the U.S. Department of Education teacher shortage areas for designation, based on collected data and public input. The U.S. DOE annually designates teacher shortage areas for purposes of deferment of loan repayments or reductions of teaching obligation.
Social Studies Standards Revision- LD 283
Published Date: 04/30/2019
On April 19, 2019 Governor Mills signed LD 283, which contained the revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies. While personal finance has always been included in the standards, this bill and the subsequent revision of the standards were designed to make explicit the importance of this content area.
Golden Discusses NAFTA with Union Workers in Skowhegan, Small Business Priorities in Lewiston
Published Date: 04/30/2019
Golden seeks out feedback from workers & small businesses to inform priorities
Junior Trooper Academy
Published Date: 04/25/2019
The Maine State Police will be hosting a three-day Junior Trooper Academy. This is a Career Orientation Program to be held from July 16 through July 18, 2019. The program is open to any High School Junior or Senior who has a strong interest in learning about a career with the Maine State Police.
…Maine DEP and IFW issue temporary ban on boats to facilitate fight against invasive milfoil on two waterbodies
Published Date: 04/25/2019
Surface use restrictions on small portions of Annabessacook Lake (Monmouth) and Great Pond including Great Meadow Stream (Belgrade and Rome) enable suppression of variable leaf milfoil and prevent its spread
…Use of Prescribed Fire on Wildlife Management Areas
Published Date: 04/24/2019
Increasingly MDIFW Regional Wildlife Biologists have been conducting prescribed burns on some of the wildlife management areas (WMAs) found throughout the state. Also known as ‘controlled burns’, this habitat management option is yet another tool available to MDIFW land managers.
…Air Quality Awareness Week April 29 – May 3, 2019
Published Date: 04/24/2019
Maine joins states across the nation in recognizing April 29 through May 3, 2019 as Air Quality Awareness Week. This year’s theme “Check the AQI and Get Outside” was selected to increase air quality awareness and encourage people to check the Air Quality Index (AQI) to find out the best time to be active outdoors.
Golden Asks NOAA Fisheries to Postpone New Right Whale Management Proposals, Challenges Data Behind Potential New Restrictions on Maine Lobstermen
Published Date: 04/23/2019
NOAA Fisheries task force responsible for new rules on lobstermen may rely on inaccurate data, fails to consider impacts of Canadian fisheries
Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology have yet to schedule hearing for bill proposing significant changes to Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard
Published Date: 04/21/2019
Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) established, among other things, a 10 year timetable for having 10% of Maine’s electricity coming from new renewable sources by 2017. LD 1494, An Act to Reform Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, looks to establish a new timetable for reaching 50% by 2030 as well changing several other RPS guidelines.…
Panel endorses changing Maine blueberry commission as tensions rise
Published Date: 04/19/2019
It backs a bill to expand membership of the group that promotes one of the state’s signature industries as it weathers a severe downturn.
Community Guided Planning and Zoning
Published Date: 04/19/2019
Community Guided Planning and Zoning (CGPZ) provides an opportunity for those who live, work, own land, and have other interests in the unorganized or deorganized areas in Maine to evaluate…
Governor Mills Statement on 2018 Drug Overdose Death Report
Published Date: 04/18/2019
It is welcome news that the number of people losing their lives to drug overdoses has decreased, but the opioid epidemic still presents a serious public health threat to our state,” said Governor Mills. We will not rest in our determination to end this epidemic.
…Maine Quarantine on Emerald Ash Borer Announced
Published Date: 04/17/2019
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has announced a formal quarantine on emerald ash borer (EAB) and material that may harbor it. The quarantine area includes all of York County and the northeastern corner of Aroostook County.
…With blueberries in trouble, Maine eyes commission overhaul
Published Date: 04/16/2019
Maine lawmakers might try to pump some life into the state’s troubled wild blueberry industry by overhauling the commission that promotes the state’s most important fruit crop
Golden Leads Bipartisan Push for Better Data, New Approaches to Expand Reliable Broadband to Rural America
Published Date: 04/16/2019
Golden, Small Business Committee leaders encourage FCC to improve data collection, explore TV White Spaces
…Republicans call for state income tax cut, warn against Democratic agenda
Published Date: 04/15/2019
A group of prominent Republicans gathered with supporters at the State House on Monday, the tax filing deadline in most states, to highlight Maine’s tax burden and call for spending restraint.
