Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. It’s her third beat at the paper after stints covering City Hall and education. Prior to her arrival at the Press Herald in the summer of 2019, Rachel worked at the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, covering Franklin and Somerset counties, and the Knoxville News Sentinel in Knoxville, Tennessee, covering higher education. She has a master’s degree in journalism from New York University and when she’s not writing and reporting enjoys running, cooking and traveling to new places.
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PublishedApril 24, 2024
With dozens of bills unfunded, Maine lawmakers consider whether to meet again
The appropriations committee is estimated to have as much as $11 million that still could be allocated, but it’s unclear if it will meet again and if lawmakers could then act on the bills that get approved.
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PublishedApril 23, 2024
Gov. Mills signs bill protecting providers of abortion and gender-affirming care
The proposal drew significant debate in the Legislature this session as well as opposition from out-of-state Republican attorneys general who called it ‘constitutionally defective.’
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PublishedApril 23, 2024
Proposal for separate child welfare department dies after Maine House fails to take action
The measure passed the Senate in a bipartisan 22-8 vote but was never taken up in the House. ‘We could have at least had the conversation,’ said the bill’s sponsor.
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PublishedApril 22, 2024
Gov. Mills signs $430 million supplemental budget into law
The budget bill includes funding for storm relief, investments in affordable and emergency housing, a new minimum wage for education technicians and school support staff, and more.
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PublishedApril 20, 2024
Susan Collins breaks a Senate record for never missing roll-call votes
Maine’s senior senator extended her unbroken voting streak – which dates back to the very beginning her entire Senate career – with her 9,000th straight roll-call vote.
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PublishedApril 18, 2024
After Lewiston shooting, Maine lawmakers approve expanded background checks, waiting period
But the full Legislature never took up a proposal for a red flag law that would give families, in addition to law enforcement, the ability to restrict a person’s access to weapons without a mental health evaluation.
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PublishedApril 18, 2024
Lawmakers pass supplemental budget that includes $60 million in storm relief
Gov. Janet Mills says she plans to sign the $430 million budget into law and hopes to distribute the winter storm damage relief as soon as possible.
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PublishedApril 17, 2024
House, Senate debate over supplemental budget proposal stretches into early hours
Both chambers of the Maine Legislature voted to add $60 million in storm relief into the budget proposal, but the Senate also added $7 million in additional spending on other items.
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PublishedApril 17, 2024
As legislative session reached final hours, lawmakers did not vote on red flag law
The proposal would give family members a path toward restricting access to weapons for a person in crisis without a mental health evaluation.
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PublishedApril 17, 2024
Gov. Mills urges lawmakers to pass supplemental budget, reject amended storm bill
The governor sent a letter to lawmakers outlining a path forward on two of the most significant items still before the Legislature, which is scheduled to adjourn Wednesday.
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