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 9, 2024
Maine House narrowly supports minimum wage for farmworkers
The proposal would make farmworkers eligible for the same minimum wage and cost-of-living increases as other types of workers in the state.
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PublishedApril 5, 2024
Last-minute red flag bill draws a divided crowd to State House hearing
Supporters say the bill would provide an important path forward for families seeking to restrict a loved one’s access to firearms without stigmatizing mental illness, while opponents raise concerns about due process and Second Amendment rights.
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PublishedApril 4, 2024
Gov. Mills clashes with tribal relations board, leaving seats unfilled
Gov. Janet Mills withdrew 2 nominations amid an unusual public dispute over whether it was appropriate for the leaders of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission to voice concerns about her picks.
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PublishedApril 3, 2024
Frustrated lawmakers back proposal to create a separate child welfare department
A proposal for a new Department of Child and Family Services wins strong support in the Maine Senate amid efforts to reform the state’s troubled child welfare system, but the Mills administration wants the idea studied first.
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PublishedApril 2, 2024
Maine House advances bill giving Wabanaki tribes more say over prosecution of crimes
The bill would expand tribes’ authority over certain crimes that occur on their land while the state would continue to maintain jurisdiction over the most serious offenses.
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PublishedApril 1, 2024
Legislature moves to delay referendum on Maine state flag until 2026
A bill passed by both the House of Representatives and Senate would change the referendum date from this fall to November 2026 and establish a commission to assist the secretary of state in approving the design of the flag.
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PublishedApril 1, 2024
Constitutional right to abortion falls short of needed support in first vote by Maine Senate
A majority of senators voted in favor of L.D. 780 and it faces more votes, but the bill failed to meet the two-thirds majority that would ultimately be needed to send the measure to voters.
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PublishedMarch 31, 2024
Maine lawmakers support sealing past marijuana convictions – but not automatically
The proposal would allow convictions for marijuana cultivation and possession crimes committed prior to legalization to be eligible for sealing by a judge.
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PublishedMarch 29, 2024
Committee endorses $30 million bond to support Maine trails
The proposal needs two-thirds support in both the House of Representatives and Senate in order to be sent to voters in November.
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PublishedMarch 28, 2024
Maine lawmakers scrap bill to decriminalize drug possession; opt for study instead
The original proposal sought to treat substance use as a public health issue and would have set up receiving centers to help people dealing with a crisis.
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