Republicans want more focus on repairing roads and bridges; Democrats want to add staff and improve programs for disadvantaged residents.
Maine Legislature
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine bill would replace federal funds lost in abortion ‘gag rule’ dispute
The proposal would provide about $3 million for Planned Parenthood and Maine Family Planning, which lost federal Title X funding when they refused to accept restrictions on discussing abortion with their clients.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Bill to give Maine DEP more authority over ‘forever chemicals’ advances in committee
The bill is one of multiple measures that lawmakers will consider this year in response to growing concerns about PFAS contamination in Maine.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
House votes to sustain governor’s veto of sports betting bill
The vote Tuesday, which closes the door for now on legalized sports betting in Maine, comes a week after the state Senate voted to override the governor’s veto.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine lawmakers weigh bill to increase first responder death benefit
Two Maine firefighters and 2 police officers have died in the line of duty since 2018, prompting a proposal to raise the state death benefit for survivors from $50,000 to $75,000.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Bill would prohibit a common property tax appeal by big-box retailers
Large retailers have been pressuring Maine communities to lower their property taxes based on hypothetical arguments about the properties’ resale value.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
New tax incentive would boost affordable housing construction
Gov. Janet Mills is expected to sign into law a bill to create the state’s first tax credit for affordable and low-income housing projects.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics, Sports
Maine Senate votes to override Gov. Mills’ veto of sports betting bill
The state Senate voted 20-10 to override, and the measure will go next to the House for consideration, possibly next week.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Mills calls for more caseworkers, troopers in $127 million supplemental budget
The governor is asking lawmakers to fund more child protection caseworkers, broadband expansion and increased aid for education, all priorities she highlighted in her State of the State address in January.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Citing coronavirus, Mills urges voters to uphold Maine’s new vaccine law
Maine’s governor uses her weekly radio address to attack a citizens’ veto effort that would overturn the state’s new law to eliminate non-medical exemptions for childhood vaccines.