Policy
Maine Policy News
Maine to triple food assistance benefits
Published Date: 03/02/2019
The Department of Health and Human Services says the Working Families Supplement benefit will increase from $15 to $50 in month for about 13,000 residents.
…Debate swirls around bill to base Maine’s choice for president on popular vote
Published Date: 03/01/2019
A national movement would alter the role of the Electoral College and become law if enough states, including Maine, support the change.
…Maine’s effort to track legal pot suffers another setback
Published Date: 03/01/2019
Only two weeks after it signed a $150,000, three-year contract for a marijuana track-and-trace service using a system called Metrc, state agencies have withdrawn the contract and issued another, broader request for proposals.
…Medicare penalizes 4 Maine hospitals for high rates of infection and other complications
Published Date: 03/01/2019
Four Maine hospitals, including one in Bangor, will receive less funding from the federal Medicare program this year as a penalty for having high rates of infections and other patient complications, federal records show.
…More focus turns to Maine farmland access as economic development tool
Published Date: 03/01/2019
Focus is increasing on access to farmland and its potential as a renewed economic driver for Maine as potential new farmers look for land and established ones get ready to retire.
…Parkview Health exploring possible merger with MaineHealth
Published Date: 03/01/2019
Mid Coast-Parkview Health — the Brunswick-based health care network that expanded in 2015 when Mid Coast Hospital merged with Parkview Adventist Medical Center — is exploring the possibility of integrating into the MaineHealth system.
…At Maine Fishermen’s Forum, Senator King Lauds Fishing Industry’s Contribution to Maine Communities, Economy
Published Date: 03/01/2019
U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) commended the work of the men and women in Maine’s fishing industry at the Maine Fisherman’s Forum in Rockport today, listening first-hand to the priorities and concerns of Maine fishermen from around the state.
…GOP legislator’s push to regulate classroom speech fails
Published Date: 03/01/2019
A Maine Republican’s bill that sought to ban teachers from discussing political or ideological advocacy with students has been unanimously rejected by a state legislative committee.
…State backs out of second cannabis contract
Published Date: 03/01/2019
A deal with a Florida company to provide seed-to-sale tracking has been set aside and will be rebid.
…Maine legislative committee again rejects voter identification bill
Published Date: 03/01/2019
Conservative lawmakers long have pushed for requiring government-issued photo IDs at the polls, despite a lack of evidence of voter fraud.
…Maine fish farm foes ask legislators to let agriculture commissioner kill projects
Published Date: 03/01/2019
The debate over two land-based salmon farms in Penobscot Bay spilled inland to Augusta on Thursday during a public hearing on a proposed law that would affect the licensing of such projects.
…State officials say Maine fishermen caught $46 million more worth of lobster in 2018 than they did the previous year.
Published Date: 03/01/2019
State officials say Maine fishermen caught $46 million more worth of lobster in 2018 than they did the previous year.
…Angus King’s former chief of staff joins Sewall Co. as outside director
Published Date: 02/28/2019
James W. Sewall Co. announced today that Kay Rand, who recently stepped down as U.S. Sen. Angus King’s chief of staff, has joined the company’s board of directors as an outside member.
…King, Collins, Welch, Kelly Reintroduce Biomass Thermal Utilization Act to Bolster Home-Grown, Renewable Efficient Energy
Published Date: 02/28/2019
U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), and U.S. Representatives Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) today reintroduced bipartisan, bicameral companion legislation that would incentivize the use of energy efficiency biomass heaters in homes and businesses instead of relying on fossil fuel energy.
…Town meeting roundup
Published Date: 02/28/2019
Area towns have provided results of their Town Meetings.
…Governor Mills Announces That Maine Has Joined Bipartisan U.S. Climate Alliance
Published Date: 02/28/2019
Governor Janet Mills announced that Maine has joined the United States Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 21 states committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Irving’s hiring forecast includes 300 for forest products jobs in Maine
Published Date: 02/28/2019
J.D. Irving Ltd. forecasts 7,500 full-time hires over the next three years, as well as more than 2,500 student hires across the company’s operations in Canada and the United States.
…RSU 73 to form superintendent search committee
Published Date: 02/28/2019
Residents from Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls interested in serving should contact their respective town offices.
…Washington County joins lawsuits against opioid pill makers, distributors and retailers
Published Date: 02/28/2019
Washington County has joined a dozen other Maine cities and counties that are among many nationwide to file lawsuits against the manufacturers of opioid prescription medications.
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