AUGUSTA (AP) — Two bills would allow Maine doctors to prescribe medication that a patient may self-administer to hasten death. The Legislature’s health and human services committee is set to hold public hearings Wednesday on bills sponsored by Republican Sen. Roger Katz and Democratic Rep. Jennifer Parker. Katz unsuccessfully tried to pass a similar bill […]
Maine Legislature
Posted inLocal & State
10 ways legislators want to change minimum wage law
A long day of testimony is in store for the Legislature’s Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee with 10 bills aimed at chipping away at or preserving the minimum wage law up for debate. Wrangling over the minimum wage is perennial at the State House, but this year brings a tricky balancing act for legislators, […]
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Maine House fails to override veto on bill to provide IDs to veterans
AUGUSTA — More than 40 state House Republicans who had backed a measure to provide identification cards for veterans reversed their stance Tuesday to sustain Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill they had earlier supported. “This was a sad vote that shows how partisanship gets in the way of our work even after a […]
Posted inLocal & State
Maine joins suit against Trump administration over delay of energy-efficiency rules
Maine is one of 10 states and a handful of national environmental groups suing the Trump administration, claiming it’s violating federal law by delaying energy-efficiency standards intended to save Americans almost $24 billion. Six rules for ceiling fans, walk-in coolers and other consumer products that are being blocked by President Donald Trump have been projected […]
Posted inLocal & State
Legislature to vote on bill that outlaws lobbyists lying to lawmakers
AUGUSTA — The Legislature will consider making it a misdemeanor crime for lobbyists to lie or conceal a “material fact” while testifying to lawmakers. The Portland Press Herald reports the State and Local Government Committee voted in favor of a revised version of the bill on Monday. The bill no longer includes members of the […]
Posted inBusiness
Bill would let towns keep bars open an hour later
BATH — A Maine lawmaker wants to keep bars open longer to keep tourists happy. Republican Rep. Wayne Parry of Arundel said Monday that pushing back the closing time from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. would help the state compete with Canada and other New England states. He said Maine is one of only five […]
Posted inLocal & State
GOP leader of Maine Senate urging colleagues to be civil
AUGUSTA (AP) — The Republican leader of the Maine Senate is calling on his GOP colleagues in the House of Representatives and with the state party to stop making personal attacks against Democrats. Maine Senate President Mike Thibodeau says he has been discouraged and frustrated by the series of attacks, including a recent petition drive […]
Posted inLocal & State
Bill would make attacking a police officer a hate crime in Maine
AUGUSTA (AP) — A Maine Republican legislator wants to make it a hate crime to single out and attack a police officer. Republican Rep. Karleton Ward’s bill would address those who commit crimes against a person because of that person’s status as a law enforcement officer, firefighter or emergency medical care provider. It would also […]
Posted inLocal & State
Legislators schedule bills to limit minimum wage increase
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers are starting to consider bills that would roll back the minimum wage law approved by voters. Last November, 55.5 percent of residents voted to increase Maine’s minimum wage from $7.50 per hour to $12 an hour by 2020. Then, the wage would increase according to inflation. Tipped employees’ wages would reach […]
Posted inLocal & State
Rep. Donna Bailey’s bill would give disabled free access to state parks
AUGUSTA — A legislator is proposing to give permanently disabled people free admission to Maine State Parks. The proposal by Saco Democratic Rep. Donna Bailey would apply to people who have been determined to be permanently disabled by an official body such as the U.S. Social Security Administration or a workers’ compensation board. The access […]