NARAL Pro Choice America and Emily’s List both offer early endorsements of Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon in her bid to unseat Sen. Susan Collins in 2020.
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.
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House Speaker Sara Gideon announces challenge to Sen. Collins
The Democrat from Freeport will face at least 2 other members of her party in the primary next June who want to take on the long-serving Republican.
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Maine House votes to relax welfare restrictions on asylum seekers
The bill, which has gained urgency following the surge of asylum seekers to Portland, provides no money but directs DHHS to offer non-citizens welfare ‘within available resources.’
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Unanimous Legislature passes 2 bills to reduce ‘welfare cliff’
The bills, sponsored by Democratic and Republican leaders, are designed to let families keep some welfare benefits as they gradually gain more independence and income.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Mills signs bill requiring state to alert communities to federal air quality violations
The new law comes after South Portland residents complained they were not notified of air quality violations from a petroleum tank farm along the Fore River.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News, Politics
Maine House rejects bill to increase estate tax
The 70-75 vote against lowering the excluded amount from $5.6 million to $2 million comes after a short debate.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine Legislature approves new state budget of nearly $8 billion
The 2-year spending package includes many, but not all, of the initiatives proposed by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, and lawmakers from both parties speak of a new level of civility in Maine government.
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Democrat Betsy Sweet announces election challenge to Sen. Collins in 2020
The longtime State House lobbyist, who made an unsuccessful bid for governor in 2018, is the first prominent Democrat to enter the race.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine House kills bill to require background checks for private gun sales
The measure would have required private gun sellers to obtain background checks on buyers from federally licensed firearms dealers.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Senate says ‘no’ to letting cities and towns levy their own sales taxes
But the House votes later Thursday to narrow the bill to allow only a 1% tax on lodging, in hopes of attracting additional Senate votes.