The measure includes $38 million more for Maine’s public schools, funding for coronavirus response and dozens of other new initiatives.
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 inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers, governor reach bipartisan deal on $73 million coronavirus response
The new spending bill is $52 million less than the supplemental budget Gov. Janet Mills proposed last month, reflecting concern about potential impacts to the Maine economy.
advertisement
Posted inMaine, News
In response to virus, Maine Legislature to adjourn on Tuesday
Legislators will consider bills related to the coronavirus outbreak and then wrap up their session.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
CMP power line project wins initial approval from Maine DEP
While backers applaud the draft permit for the $1 billion transmission line to bring electricity from Quebec to Massachusetts, opponents say the project would provide “no verifiable reduction in greenhouse gases.”
Posted inMaine, News
Gov. Mills eyes budget adjustments in response to virus’ economic impacts
A recent state revenue forecast that predicted a $40 million increase in revenues did not take the coronavirus pandemic into account.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Lawmakers urged to borrow funds for roads and high-speed internet
The bill, which would also need voter approval, would funnel $90 million to the state’s highway fund and $15 million towards the expansion of high-speed internet for parts of rural Maine.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Maine Ethics Commission votes 2-1 to investigate power line opponent
The commission’s decision follows a complaint from a political action committee backing Central Maine Power’s proposed $1 billion transmission line through western Maine’s mountains.
Posted inMaine, News
Maine bill would exempt online charter schools from vaccine requirements
Lawmakers took public testimony Monday on a bill that would exempt online charter schools from a new vaccine requirement that eliminates philosophical and religious exemptions.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Party lines emerge in Legislature over $127 million spending proposal
As lawmakers examine the supplemental budget offered by Gov. Janet Mills in February, Republicans on the Health and Human Service Committee are balking at some of the spending proposals.
Posted inMaine, News
Maine DHHS drops ‘substance abuse’ from mental health office name
The name change is another step toward ending the stigma associated with addiction-related illnesses, according to Maine’s opioid response czar.