Gov. Janet Mills backs bill to keep ICE out of schools, hospitals
Mainers largely spoke out in favor of a bill that would protect certain nonpublic areas from access by federal immigration officers, but some have questions.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from the Sun Journal.
Maine school buses may soon change after deaths of 2 students
Maine lawmakers heard testimony Thursday on a proposal to require and fund crossing arms on all school buses.
How Donald Trump handed Susan Collins a political win over ICE
Maine’s senior senator says the Department of Homeland Security ended ‘Operation Catch of the Day’ after she expressed her concerns about the sweeping operation.
Maine Democratic Party faces ethics probe tied to voter ID referendum
The Maine Ethics Commission will investigate the party’s spending against last year’s Question 1 after a complaint from The Dinner Table leader Alex Titcomb.
Somali American lawmaker in Maine cites threats, racism in not seeking reelection
Rep. Deqa Dhalac, D-South Portland, had made history in 2021 as the first Somali American mayor in the country.
Could ICE be barred from non-public areas in Maine?
The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee is hearing testimony Thursday on Rep. Ellie Sato’s bill to block federal agents from certain places.
Why Republicans walked out on Gov. Janet Mills’ State of the State address
At times, Maine’s two-term governor seemed to be speaking to primary voters as she seeks the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate against progressive firebrand Graham Platner.
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Randy Billings
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Billy Kobin
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Rachel Ohm
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Here are the major proposals from Gov. Mills’ State of the State address
A statewide ban on cellphones in schools, $300 relief checks, investments in housing and more.
Gov. Janet Mills proposes $300 ‘affordability checks’ in her final State of the State
The governor focuses on affordability in her speech Tuesday night, also calling for a $70 million investment in housing and continuation of Maine’s free community college program.
Maine schools react to increased ICE enforcement
Thousands of students have been absent as a federal immigration enforcement operation descended on Maine, and the state’s largest district is considering a remote learning plans for different grade levels.
Susan Collins wants ICE surge to stop for now in Maine, Minnesota
Maine’s senior senator said she made her appeal directly to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday.
Gov. Mills proposes $2.25M for Planned Parenthood, family planning to offset cuts passed by Congress
The Democratic governor said the supplemental funding will offset cuts signed into law by President Donald Trump last year.
Maine AG asks to join in support of Minnesota lawsuit against DHS
The Portland City Council is expected to discuss the lawsuit in a meeting Monday night.
Emergency bill to let towns, counties file for bankruptcy protection garners little support
The Maine County Commissioners Association and the Maine Municipal Association testified against the bill Wednesday, citing concerns that interest rates could rise if banks get nervous about lending.
Maine Sen. Collins at center of ICE funding fight after another deadly shooting in Minnesota
Democrats’ recent threats to withhold support for a bill that would give $10 billion to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement could threaten Collins’ work to avert another government shutdown.
Wife of detainee questions morality of ICE enforcement in Maine
Marcos Da Silva’s wife spent almost 2 days trying to find him, and his truck, after he was detained by immigration officials in Portland on Tuesday.
Why some Mainers support ICE’s increased enforcement in the state
Homeland Security’s ‘Operation Catch of the Day’ has found vocal and widespread support among Maine’s conservatives, though some are expressing concern over the federal agents’ tactics.
Gov. Mills traveled outside of Maine as ICE operation began. Her team won’t say why.
The U.S. Senate campaign spokesperson for Mills only confirmed she was out of the state Tuesday.
Maine lawmakers consider divesting bill. Is it aimed at Israel?
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Rafael Macias, D-Topsham, would apply to any country.
Gov. Mills blasts ICE, calling it ‘secret police’ in Portland remarks
Republicans, meanwhile, push back on Democrats’ characterization of the raids.
ICE operations confirmed in Maine, targeting ‘criminal illegal aliens’
A Homeland Security spokesperson said ‘Operation Catch of the Day’ launched Tuesday, following days of rumors that federal immigration enforcement would be ramping up in Maine.
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