U.S. House Republican leader assails ranked-choice voting in Maine

Republicans in Augusta and Washington are trying to stymie or repeal a voting method they say helps Democrats like Jared Golden.
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Bill banning Native American mascots in public schools passes in committee

The Committee on Education and Cultural affairs voted 7-5 to recommend passing the legislation. It will now go before the House of Representatives.
Continue Reading Bill banning Native American mascots in public schools passes in committee

Bills on minimum wage stir debate in Augusta

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.
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Governor Mills Nominates Candidates for Maine Maritime Academy Board of Trustees

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.
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Maine GOP leaders launch a grassroots group to punch back at progressives

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.
Continue Reading Maine GOP leaders launch a grassroots group to punch back at progressives

Governor Mills Nominates Candidates for University of Maine System and Maine Community College System Boards of Trustees

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.
Continue Reading Governor Mills Nominates Candidates for University of Maine System and Maine Community College System Boards of Trustees

Without the revenue they want from Mills’ budget, Maine cities and towns renew push for local sales tax

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.
Continue Reading Without the revenue they want from Mills’ budget, Maine cities and towns renew push for local sales tax

Maine Democrats are stepping up their advocacy for abortion access

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.
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Janet Mills signs bill to protect hemp producers from confusion with marijuana

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.
Continue Reading Janet Mills signs bill to protect hemp producers from confusion with marijuana

Lawmaker skeptical Emera Maine’s proposed $1.3B sale will benefit ratepayers

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.
Continue Reading Lawmaker skeptical Emera Maine’s proposed $1.3B sale will benefit ratepayers

Governor Mills and Efficiency Maine Announce Initiatives To Expand Electric Vehicle Use Across Maine

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.
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Governor Mills Signs Legislation Protecting Health Care Coverage

LD 1 Requires Insurance Companies To Include Basic Patient Protections In Maine Healthcare Plans
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Patients ask Legislature to restrict insurers’ control over medications

But an insurance industry representative argues that a bill to regulate ‘step therapy’ would favor ‘costlier, but no more therapeutically effective, brand name drugs.’
Continue Reading Patients ask Legislature to restrict insurers’ control over medications

Greens oppose CMP corridor, endorse buyout bill

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.
Continue Reading Greens oppose CMP corridor, endorse buyout bill

How Maine’s members of Congress voted this week

Here’s a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.
Continue Reading How Maine’s members of Congress voted this week

Lawmakers seek to make motorists from away pay more for Maine’s highways

The Maine Legislature is eyeing a summertime gas tax hike to help close a longstanding funding gap for infrastructure needs.
Continue Reading Lawmakers seek to make motorists from away pay more for Maine’s highways

Governor Mills Introduces Legislation to Increase Access to Critical Reproductive Health Care for Women

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.
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Governor Mills Signs Supplemental Budget

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.

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Lawmakers may make it easier to prosecute stranglers

Auburn Sen. Ned Claxton’s proposal would drop requirement that prosecutors prove intent.
Continue Reading Lawmakers may make it easier to prosecute stranglers

It’s Election Day if you live in Orono and part of Bangor. Here’s what you need to know.

There’s a special election to fill a Maine House vacancy representing parts of Bangor and Orono. If you live in House District 124, you’ll decide between Democrat Joe Perry and Republican Thomas White. The election is to fill the vacancy left by Aaron Frey, who became Maine’s attorney general earlier this year.
Continue Reading It’s Election Day if you live in Orono and part of Bangor. Here’s what you need to know.