State Finance Commissioner Kirsten Figueroa directed department leaders to find ways to reduce costs as the state grapples with COVID-19-related revenue losses.
Maine Legislature
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
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.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
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.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
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.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Nation / World, News
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.
Posted inLocal & State, News
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.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
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.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
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benefits to veterans who received other-than-honorable discharges before the federal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law was repealed in 2011.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
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.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
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.