Mills asks state departments to trim spending by 10%

Maine Legislature

Published
August 6, 2020

Mills asks state departments to trim spending by 10%

State Finance Commissioner Kirsten Figueroa directed department leaders to find ways to reduce costs as the state grapples with COVID-19-related revenue losses.
Published
August 5, 2020

Republican lawmakers again reject call for special session

Top Democrats want the Legislature to take up hundreds of unfinished bills, but Republican leaders say they first want an agreement on the scope and length of a session.
Published
August 3, 2020

Pandemic likely to cost Maine cities and towns over $124 million this year

In a report to the Legislature, the Maine Municipal Association says communities are reporting reduced sales tax revenue, fewer fees collected, and lost motor vehicle excise tax revenue.
Published
July 31, 2020

Bill would let Maine restaurants sell alcohol to go until 2022

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Louie Luchini, said an emergency order by Gov. Janet Mills that allows restaurants to sell booze to go has been key to their survival during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Published
July 29, 2020

Maine state budget facing COVID-19 shortfalls of $1.4 billion over next 3 years

What the state gained in revenue on taxable grocery store items and building supplies when the pandemic hit didn't come close to making up for what it lost in sales tax because restaurants and lodgings were shuttered.
Published
July 28, 2020

Legislation to stem racial profiling would require data collection on all traffic stops in Maine

For the second time in 2 years, Rep. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, is proposing to require the state's police departments to collect and report information about every person they stop.
Published
July 24, 2020

Bill to force CMP takeover replaced with measure to explore options

A last-minute amendment turned a bill that could have created a consumer-owned electric utility in Maine into a proposal to study the matter and recommend legislation in 2021.
Published
July 21, 2020

Maine bill would help veterans discharged because of sexual orientation

The measure calls for Maine's Bureau of Veterans Services to provide state benefits to veterans who received other-than-honorable discharges before the federal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law was repealed in 2011.
Published
July 21, 2020

Bill to replace CMP with public entity faces key vote Friday

A legislative committee is set to decide whether to send the measure, which also would affect Versant Power, to the full Legislature.
Published
July 16, 2020

Republicans’ demands keep lawmakers sidelined, with hundreds of bills in limbo

The Democratic majority leaders want the Legislature to return for a special session, but Republicans insist that it be limited to curbing Gov. Janet Mills' executive powers and responding to virus-related problems.