The House killed the bill without discussion Monday after Gov. Janet Mills threatened to veto it and the Senate voted to table it indefinitely.
Penelope Overton
Staff Writer
Penny Overton is excited to be the Portland Press Heraldโs first climate reporter. Since joining the paper in 2016, she has written about Maineโs 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 Globeโs 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 familyโs next adventure.
Maine lawmakers approve ban on pesticides containing PFAS by 2030
The legislation, which has divided the state’s farming community, was passed by the Senate on Monday after gaining approval in the House last week.
Bill to ban sludge recycling and spreading divides farmers
While some farmers support a ban on sludge spreading to protect Maine farms from forever chemicals, a group that includes farmers and wastewater treatment operators want a ‘science based approach’ to monitoring PFAS levels to avoid increased fertilizer and sewer costs.
Former Gov. Paul LePage courts new Mainer votes in Portland
Maine’s former governor takes his re-election campaign to the opening of the Maine Republican Party’s multicultural center in Portland.
Republicans to open political multicultural center in Munjoy Hill
The center will focus on voter education and turnout, but also offer immigration help and job and language training.
Bill would double vehicle inspection fee across most of Maine
The extra revenue would help pay to convert the inspection system to a more efficient electronic one, but Gov. Janet Mills said Wednesday she would veto the bill if it reaches her desk.
State lawmakers want Maine courts to prioritize child murder cases
The Senate voted 33-0 to approve a bill that asks the court system to expedite child homicide cases so information about the child welfare system’s failings come to light sooner.
Lawmakers may boost state reimbursement rates for family-planning care
A legislative panel approved a bill Friday to boost MaineCare reimbursement rates for family-planning providers.
Senate approves bill to limit ‘dark store’ tax challenges
The bill would give municipalities a way to fight off big-box retailers’ efforts to reduce their municipal tax burden.
Gov. Mills proposes payments of $850 to qualifying Mainers as she revises budget
The total amount of direct relief to individual Mainers would be increased by $100 from the governor’s previous plan.