Labor and small business representatives were in Augusta to urge lawmakers to debate several bills that would lower the minimum wage, particularly ones that would create a lower wage for teen workers.

Greg Dugal, director of Government Affairs for HospitalityMaine, says additional H-2B visas will help the state’s hospitality industry cope with the ongoing worker shortage. “Even though the increase of the cap does not meet the need, it is a doubling over last year and will be incredibly helpful for Maine businesses in 2019,” he said.

Governor Mills reappointed Jason A. Oney of Falmouth, Morten Arntzen of Norwalk, Connecticut and Arthur K. Watson, Jr. of New Canaan, Connecticut. Governor Mills also nominated Mary O. Shea of Brownfield as Student Trustee.

Under questioning from Maine Sen. Angus King during his confirmation hearing to become secretary of the interior, David Bernhardt allayed concerns about the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument’s status.

The top officials in the Maine Republican Party formed a new nonprofit group last month that looks to be aimed at grassroots work after the chair won re-election in January promising to form an alternative to the liberal Maine People’s Alliance.

Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has nominated six people to the University of Maine and the Maine Community College System Boards of Trustees.

Proposals to allow Maine cities and towns to enshrine local-option sales taxes have momentum in 2019, but they’re facing the same problems that have stopped them in the past amid opposition from business groups and some progressives.

Droves of Mainers are expected to testify today about a controversial bill that would give MaineCare recipients access to state-funded abortion services, and force insurance providers to include abortions in their coverage for maternity services.

Maine’s governor has signed a bill designed to make clear that production and sale of hemp-derived food products are allowable in the state.

State Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, said the Maine Public Utilities Commission should focus closely on the question of whether the proposed $1.3 billion acquisition of Emera Maine by Calgary-based ENMAX Corp. will truly benefit the utility’s 159,000 customers. Berry is the House chairman of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.

Governor Janet Mills and Efficiency Maine Trust announced today a set of initiatives that will expand the use of electric vehicles across Maine in an effort to reduce the state’s carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels.

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden shared his support of universal health care for all citizens during a town hall meeting Tuesday at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

LD 1 Requires Insurance Companies To Include Basic Patient Protections In Maine Healthcare Plans

Maine’s independent U.S. senator is co-sponsoring a bill to require non-dairy products to stop using terms like “milk,” ”yogurt” and “cheese” on their labels.

But an insurance industry representative argues that a bill to regulate ‘step therapy’ would favor ‘costlier, but no more therapeutically effective, brand name drugs.’

The Green Independent Party has taken a position opposing a Central Maine Power proposal to create a 145-mile transmission line corridor that would deliver electricity from Canada to Massachusetts.

Here’s a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.

The Maine Legislature is eyeing a summertime gas tax hike to help close a longstanding funding gap for infrastructure needs.

Governor Janet Mills today introduced a bill to improve access to critical reproductive health care for women across Maine. The bill, sponsored by Speaker of the House Sara Gideon, would allow a physician assistant or an advanced practice registered nurse to perform abortions.

Governor Janet Mills today signed the supplemental budget for Maine’s Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2019. The $7.5 million package repeals the limit on Medicaid-funded methadone to help combat the opioid crisis, dedicates $1 million towards the state’s upcoming 2020 bicentennial celebration, and funds other initiatives.