Maine lawmakers approve first-in-nation temporary ban on data centers
The bill now heads to Gov. Janet Mills, who expressed concerns over its sweep.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from the Sun Journal.
Legislature passes first reform of Maine’s school funding formula in 2 decades
Gov. Mills plans to sign the bill — which would change the EPS formula by accounting for local poverty rates in state funding calculations and modernizing outdated regional adjustments — into law.
Maine hearing on transgender athletes sets up high-profile November election
The ballot initiative seeks to restrict transgender athlete participation in sports and require separate bathrooms and locker rooms for students based on the sex they were assigned at birth.
Planned Parenthood backs Janet Mills in Democratic primary for US Senate
The endorsement comes at a pivotal time for the governor, who is trailing political newcomer Graham Platner by double digits in most independent polls.
Maine trans athlete bill faces a test before the Legislature today. Here’s how to watch.
Lawmakers will debate the measure, which has been approved as a statewide referendum, on Tuesday morning.
Maine candidate will no longer accept endorsement from Eric Swalwell amid sexual assault allegations
Jordan Wood, who is running for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, said he’ll give U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell’s donation to a local food bank.
Elizabeth Warren to rally with Graham Platner in Portland on Saturday
The U.S. senator from Massachusetts will speak about taking on billionaires and Wall Street, while fighting for workers.
Maine political news sent right to your phone
Randy Billings
Read more stories and connect with our State House bureau chief.
Billy Kobin
Read more stories and connect with our political reporter.
Rachel Ohm
Read more stories and connect with our State House reporter.
Can Shenna Bellows’ stand against Trump translate to a successful run for governor?
The biggest challenge for Maine’s secretary of state may be finding a way to stand out in a competitive Democratic primary.
Who is eligible for the $300 affordability checks approved by lawmakers?
The checks, included in the budget signed by Gov. Janet Mills on Friday, will be distributed based on income eligibility and are expected to be sent in late July.
What big-money groups are spending the most on the Maine governor’s race?
Close to $3 million in outside money has been spent on the Maine governor’s race this year, with most of the spending benefiting Republicans, according to new state campaign finance reports.
Some Mainers planning to vote for Platner say they’re doing so reluctantly
Most participants in a recent focus group held by Syracuse University said their vote in the upcoming Democratic Senate primary will be based on which candidate they think is more likely to oust Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Janet Mills signs $519M supplemental budget into law. Did she get what she wanted?
The state’s free community college program, previously funded on a one-time basis, is now permanent under the spending plan Mills signed Friday.
Republicans hold huge spending advantage in Maine Senate race, and it’s getting bigger
Republican-aligned groups are pouring millions into boosting US Sen. Susan Collins while Democrats are locked in an acrimonious primary.
Maine lawmakers make last-minute changes to school funding formula bill
Following concerns over costs, lawmakers on the education committee supported an amended version of the bill. It now goes to the full Legislature.
Governor candidate drops out of race after state alleges fraud with funding
Maine’s campaign finance watchdog issued a decision denying Sen. Jim Libby clean elections funding after it found numerous problems with paperwork his campaign submitted to qualify for the money.
Supporters object to trans sports referendum ballot language
The secretary of state released draft language this week for how the initiative, which seeks to limit school sports participation and use of bathrooms and similar spaces to a student’s assigned sex at birth, would appear on the November ballot.
Maine lawmakers send $519M budget add-on, including $300 checks, to Gov. Mills
The Senate voted 18-16 to approve the budget, which includes $300 ‘affordability checks’ for eligible residents, a new income tax surcharge for millionaires and a ban on cellphones in schools.
Matt Dunlap pokes fun at Paul LePage’s Florida ties in online game
In the ‘Where in the World is Paul LePage’ game, the answer is always Florida.
Janet Mills drops attack ads, but is still ‘full steam ahead’ in US Senate primary
The governor has no ads booked beyond Wednesday and trails in the polls.
Susan Collins opposes Trump’s ‘incendiary language’
Maine’s senior US senator and other members of the state’s congressional delegation are among those taking issue with the president’s threats against Iran.
Trump pulls back on threat to destroy Iranian ‘civilization’
Pakistan’s prime minister had urged Trump to extend his deadline by 2 weeks to allow diplomacy to advance.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.