The emergency bill makes it easier for judges to appoint lawyers for people who can’t afford one themselves, and it authorizes the state to hire 5 new public defenders.
Politics
Political news and information from the Sun Journal.
As Trump targets higher education, Maine colleges worry endowments are next
The state’s higher education leaders say Republican-backed bills to raise endowment taxes would produce negligible benefits while forcing schools to slash financial aid and operating budgets.
Lewiston Democrat launches bid for Susan Collins’ Senate seat
Jordan Wood has experience as a congressional staff member and has worked as an advocate for campaign finance reform.
Judge orders Energy Department to pause research funding changes for UMaine, other schools
The University of Maine receives $26.3 million from the Department of Energy through 8 multiyear awards.
Four Maine college presidents sign national letter decrying Trump education ‘overreach’
The presidents of Bowdoin, Bates, Colby and the University of New England joined more than 230 college leaders in rebuking the federal government’s ‘political interference’ in higher education.
Gov. Mills signs law to prepare Maine for severe weather fueled by climate change
The bill includes a grant program to help residents safeguard their homes, provides a one-time dose of funding for the Maine Emergency Management Agency and establishes a new state office intended to reduce storm damage and protect infrastructure.
Maine’s battle with Trump over Title IX could have national consequences
The way the Trump administration has approached the Title IX probes in Maine has been unusual, legal experts told The Maine Monitor, citing both the speed and lack of procedure.
Maine banned transgender discrimination 20 years ago. Few noticed — until now.
Dozens of trans students have competed in high school sports in Maine since 2013, but such participation has suddenly become a flashpoint in a high-stake political and legal battle with the Trump administration.
Timeline: Gender identity in Maine’s Human Rights Act
The state antidiscrimination law has a 20-year history that long predates a nationwide debate over transgender athletes in sports.
Judge denies Laurel Libby’s request to immediately restore her right to vote in Maine House
The Auburn lawmaker, who was censured in February for a social media post about a transgender student, said she was disappointed with the decision but ‘the fight is far from over.’