Embracing the state motto – ‘I lead’ – Maine lawmakers led in a different direction, safeguarding and expanding access to abortion and gender-affirming care.
Politics
Political news and information from the Sun Journal.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Budget approved by Democrats won’t go into effect until fall
Upset over being shut out of negotiations, Republicans vote against the state budget. It still passes, but without their votes, the newly added $800 million can’t be spent until October.
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Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine Legislature finally wraps up session, sends abortion bill to governor
Lawmakers voted out the last of the pending bills late Thursday, including a hard-fought bill to expand abortion access that Gov. Janet Mills is all but certain to sign into law soon.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
New Maine wrongful death law ties cap on damages to inflation, extends time limit to sue
Gov. Janet Mills allowed the bill to become law Thursday without her signature. Another bill that would have extended the statute of limitations on medical negligence claims failed to get support.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine Legislature passes budget with paid family leave, tax cut for retirees
Both the House and Senate voted for passage, but opposition from House Republicans meant there was not enough support to meet the two-thirds threshold needed for the supplemental spending package to take effect immediately.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers fail to override governor’s veto of tribal bill
The House voted 84-57 in favor of overriding Gov. Janet Mills’ veto, which falls 10 votes short of the two-thirds support needed and sustains the veto.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Inside Maine lawmakers’ late-night scramble to pass expanded abortion access
Divisions nearly thwarted Democrats’ efforts to pass the landmark legislation.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
New state legal defense director wants to bring young attorneys in to do ‘important work’
Jim Billings took over the reins of the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services last month, joining the agency that is severely struggling to find enough attorneys to represent poor Mainers.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Legislative session drags on; costs pile up
The end date for lawmakers to wrap up work was supposed to be June 21. That has now been extended beyond the July 4 holiday this week.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Gov. Mills vetoes bill that would extend more federal laws and benefits to Maine tribes
Supporters of the bill, which passed overwhelmingly in the House and Senate, are trying to shore up support to overturn the veto.