Maine was one of only seven states before the COVID-19 pandemic that did not allow municipalities to hold remote meetings. But attitudes have shifted in the past year.
Maine Legislature
Posted inLocal & State, News
State terminates 15 contractors as talks continue on refund of software project spending
The move will save the state about $206,000 a month, state officials say, as implementation of a more than $50 million state payroll and human resources system upgrade remains in limbo.
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Posted inLocal & State, Schools & Education
Legislators weigh whether to require free tampons and pads in Maine schools
Hoping to ease the burden on students, legislators may mandate free sanitary supplies in bathrooms.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Uncategorized
Committee approves bill on party lines to restore MaineCare benefits to noncitizen immigrants
The measure cleared the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee with majority Democrats favoring the change and Republicans opposing it.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Uncategorized
Maine adapted election rules for the pandemic; bills would make changes permanent
Measures call for continuing the use of ballot drop boxes and an absentee ballot tracking tool.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Direct-care agencies urge Maine lawmakers to raise reimbursement rates
The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee is considering several bills that would boost the pay for those who provide direct care to Mainers with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine redistricting thrown into confusion by census delay, constitutional Catch-22
The state’s process insulates against gerrymandering, unless one party has supermajority control of the Legislature.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News, Politics
Immigrants in Maine could regain access to health care benefits
Legislation sponsored by Assistant House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot Ross of Portland would roll back a 2011 change that prohibited non-citizens from receiving state Medicaid benefits.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Committee votes to give DEP more power to clean up ‘forever chemicals’
Maine’s 2 U.S. senators, meanwhile, are asking the Biden administration to allow states to use federal stimulus money to address PFAS contamination.
Posted inElections, Local & State, News, Politics
Bills requiring photo ID for Maine voters poised for defeat in Legislature
On a series of party-line votes, 3 bills that would require voters to show photo ID at the polls were rejected by majority Democrats on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.