Democratic Gov. Janet Mills says she will sign the measure. Republicans say the bill was rushed, lacked their support and signals an end to bipartisan cooperation.
Scott Thistle
Scott Thistle is the State House reporter for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He has covered politics and government in Maine since 2006. Prior to that he served as the State House reporter for the Duluth News Tribune in Duluth, Minnesota. A Maine native, Thistle has worked in journalism since 1990, when he got his start at a weekly newspaper in rural Oxford County, Maine. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and an active volunteer with the National Ski Patrol. He resides with his wife, Amy and his two sons Finn and Kai, in Auburn, Maine.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Lawmakers consider bills to curtail Mills’ powers during state of emergency
Republican lawmakers have submitted 14 bills that would change Maine’s Constitution or laws that allow a governor to declare a state of emergency.
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Democrats advance proposed $8.3 billion state budget to full Legislature
The budget bill, which gained no Republican support in committee, will be taken up by the Legislature when it meets Tuesday at the Augusta Civic Center.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Panel opposes bills to water down or end Maine’s vehicle inspection mandate
Maine, one of 16 states to require annual vehicle inspections, will likely continue to do so.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine, News, Politics
Legislature looking into Bruce Bickford’s appearance at Zoom meetings with Harvey Weinstein backdrop
Rep. Bruce Bickford, R-Auburn, apologized for using the background that referenced the former Hollywood producer, a convicted rapist.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Republicans blast Democrats’ budget plan as incomplete, partisan ‘sham’
The state’s next 2-year budget could be pushed through with votes by Democrats only as the Legislature heads toward a session next week at the Augusta Civic Center.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Democrats signal push to pass state budget without Republicans’ support
The move could keep Gov. Janet Mills in the driver’s seat on how new federal pandemic relief funds will be spent.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine inspection sticker requirement comes under legislative scrutiny again
The Legislature’s Transportation Committee is considering a slate of bills that could alter or do away with the state law requiring annual motor vehicle safety inspections.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Governor signs bill requiring reviews of all legislation for racial impacts
The Legislature will now create a process for evaluating bills for impacts on historically disadvantaged populations.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Bill would seal records of convictions for minor marijuana offenses in Maine
Convictions for minor marijuana possession that is no longer illegal would be sealed from the public and others, and that’s drawing opposition from public access advocates.