A commission spent more than a year studying Maine’s school construction crisis. What now?
An amended bill passed by the education committee incorporates some of the commission’s recommendations, but a $100 million price tag might scare lawmakers.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from the Sun Journal.
A bill to give Maine jails more leeway with immigration authorities is on track to become law
Proponents say the bill — passed by the Legislature this week and expected to be signed by Gov. Janet Mills — clarifies an existing law and would allow sheriffs to turn away federal immigration detainees in some instances.
With Trump set to address nation, Democrats hit Susan Collins over Iran vote
Maine’s senior senator told reporters in Sanford on Tuesday that she does not support boots on the ground in Iran.
Susan Collins walks back comment saying she’d only serve 1 more term if elected
A campaign spokesperson said Collins’ statement was ‘an offhand comment to a reporter, not a formal declaration.’
Judge gives DOJ access to school sports rosters amid lawsuit over trans athletes
But U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Frink Wolf ruled against the federal government in its requests for lists of all known transgender athletes in Maine or results from events in which they competed.
Mills will skip Senate forum at Penobscot reservation
The governor has had a tense relationship with tribal nations in Maine.
Could Maine make polluters pay for the cost of climate change? Lawmakers want to study it first.
The Legislature on Tuesday passed a measure to study how much greenhouse gas emissions are costing the state, with Republicans opposed.
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Randy Billings
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Rachel Ohm
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Statewide bell-to-bell ban on cellphones in schools moves a step closer to reality
The Legislature’s budget committee this week supported funding and language Gov. Janet Mills proposed in her supplemental budget. If the House and Senate follow suit, Maine would join 23 other states with similar policies.
Senate confirms Janet Mills’ pick for Maine Supreme Judicial Court opening
Chief Deputy Attorney General Chris Taub is the Democratic governor’s 7th nominee for Maine’s high court.
Schumer had a plan to win back the Senate. But some Democrats aren’t on board
Party leaders can’t seem to agree on how to approach the midterms. Nowhere is that more obvious than in Maine’s Senate race.
Progressives go after Angus King for backing judge nominees who won’t say Biden won in 2020
This is not the first time left-wing groups have targeted King for voting to confirm President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees.
Trans sports referendum signatures are not valid, lawsuit argues
The lawsuit filed Friday in Cumberland County Superior Court by 3 Maine residents says the referendum should not be sent to voters.
Are Maine Democrats having their own tea party moment?
In 2009, the Tea Party movement gave rise to a rough-edged, tough-talking Republican governor in Paul LePage. Now, Democrats are eying a progressive with similar qualities in Graham Platner.
Will Bobby Charles’ lead in the Republican primary for governor last?
Charles has led recent polling, but he’ll need to keep that momentum going to beat out the large field of competitors in his own party.
Thousands of Mainers protest Trump policies amid latest ‘No Kings’ nationwide rallies
Transgender rights activist Ella Bowman rallied the Waterville crowd on bodily autonomy, while speakers across the state criticized policies they say threaten democracy.
Thousands of Mainers rally during 3rd round of ‘No Kings’ protests
Demonstrations against the Trump administration took place Saturday in Portland, Lewiston-Auburn, Augusta, Waterville and dozens of other locations across Maine.
Does Jonathan Bush meet Maine’s residency requirement for governor?
Bush has owned a home in Cape Elizabeth since 2020, but tax records show he received resident exemptions in Massachusetts until 2023, and his campaign would not provide the dates he has lived in Maine.
A Democratic official flagged potential problems with MaineCare. Mills is pushing back.
State Auditor Matt Dunlap’s fresh findings about MaineCare financial controls drew pushback from Gov. Janet Mills’ administration. Both Democrats are seeking higher office this year.
Trump reluctantly praises Susan Collins in Fox News interview
The president initially lumped Maine’s senior senator into a group of Republicans he’s ‘not at all fans of,’ before calling her ‘a good person.’
2 Republican challengers face Wainwright in Oxford County sheriff’s primary
Voters will decide among 3 Republican candidates at the June 9 primary election. The winner will face the lone Democratic candidate on Nov. 3.
Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate at forum by and for young Mainers
Just over 2 months from the Democratic primary, Shenna Bellows, Troy Jackson, Angus King III, Hannah Pingree and Nirav Shah fielded questions on everything from housing reform and health care to addiction and systemic racism.
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