A legislative committee has endorsed a bill to delay the deadline for reporting the presence of PFAS in products sold in Maine.
Penelope Overton
Staff Writer
Penny Overton is excited to be the Portland Press Herald’s first climate reporter. Since joining the paper in 2016, she has written about Maine’s lobster and cannabis industries, covered state politics and spent a fellowship year exploring the impact of climate change on the lobster fishery with the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team. Before moving to Maine, she has covered politics, environment, casino gambling and tribal issues in Florida, Connecticut, and Arizona. Her favorite assignments allow her to introduce readers to unusual people, cultures, or subjects. When off the clock, Penny is usually getting lost in a new book at a local coffeehouse, watching foreign crime shows or planning her family’s next adventure.
Posted inMaine, Politics, Schools & Education
Lawmakers consider panel to better integrate New Mainers into public schools
The 16-member panel would build on the lessons learned by communities with sizable New Mainer populations, such as Portland and Lewiston.
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Posted inMaine
Lawmakers clash over bill to delay out-of-state trash ban
Supporters say Maine needs the trash to solve its sludge disposal crisis, but critics say the state-owned landfill should be reserved for in-state waste and accused the operator of prioritizing profits over solving the problem.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Anti-abortion bills draw advocates back to Maine’s State House
While the crowd was much smaller than the one that packed the Capitol for Monday’s abortion debate, lawmakers heard several hours of testimony Friday on bills proposed by abortion opponents.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Legislature moves to eliminate sales tax on diapers
Advocates say the tax hurts low-income families who struggle to afford diapers, which can sell for $45 a package at grocery stores.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Abortion hearing continues through the night, ends Tuesday morning
Legislative committees held hearings on five abortion bills, including Gov. Janet Mills’ proposal to expand access later in pregnancy with a doctor’s approval.
Posted inMaine, News
Businesses ask lawmakers to relax state PFAS ban
They say the new law is well-intentioned but too broad, too aggressive and too costly for them to follow. Environmental groups are calling on state legislators to defend the PFAS law as it stands.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, Politics
Lawmakers consider slip fee on foreign registered megayachts
While the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Grayson Lookner, D-Portland, sees the vessels as symbols of economic and environmental inequality, opponents say the ships would dock elsewhere, hurting the Maine businesses that supply and repair them.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Bill would have state environmental officials give priority to marginalized communities when deciding policy
But environmental advocates say the measure needs to go further, and business groups fear it could slow down project permitting.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Lawmakers eye limits on growers to keep marijuana boom from going bust
An abundant cannabis supply and dropping prices have some concerned about an industry consolidation like what’s happened in other states.