AUGUSTA — The president of the Maine Senate on Thursday abandoned a last-ditch effort that he hoped would clear the path for the direct authorization of a Biddeford racino and a partner facility in Washington County. Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Perry, confirmed Thursday afternoon that he had submitted legislation that would have sent the racino project […]

AUGUSTA — The House of Representatives on Tuesday concurred with the Senate’s decision to send a bill back to committee that would remove workers’ right to unionize at the DeCoster-owned Quality Egg Farm in Turner. The move came with a day left before the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn, meaning the bill is likely to […]

AUGUSTA — The Senate on Tuesday moved Maine one step closer to joining 40 other states that allow public charter schools. The Senate voted 21-13 to give preliminary approval to a bill that allows the state to create 10 charter schools over the next 10 years. The bill now heads to the House. Proponents say […]

AUGUSTA — The Legislature voted Tuesday to enact a bill that would allow certain-sized towns to decide whether to follow the state law that mandates minimum energy efficiency and building standards for construction projects. The House voted 76-71 and the Senate voted 21-12 to increase the population threshold for municipalities that can choose not to […]

AUGUSTA — The Legislature is on the verge of passing a bill that doubles the individual private campaign contribution limits for gubernatorial candidates. Opponents say the late-session move will increase the role of special interest money and corporate influence in the next governor’s race and immediately benefit the incumbent, Gov. Paul LePage. The bill, LD […]

AUGUSTA — The Senate voted Tuesday against direct authorization of a proposed 1,500-slot-machine facility planned for Lewiston’s Bates Mill No. 5. Senators voted 13-20 against authorization and reasserted their decision last week to send the project to referendum. While the House of Representatives last week voted to approve the project, the Senate’s decision Tuesday increases […]

AUGUSTA — The Senate moved Friday to delay a vote on a bill that removes workers’ right to unionize at the DeCoster-owned Quality Egg Farm in Turner. The move comes with five days left before the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn, meaning the bill may die in committee. That outcome will depend on whether the […]

AUGUSTA — Proponents of a 1,500-slot-machine facility planned for Lewiston’s former Bates Mill No. 5 were crestfallen Thursday after the Maine Senate voted 17-16 to send the project to referendum rather than to authorize it outright. The decision followed the Senate’s identical 17-16 vote to directly authorize a planned Biddeford racino and a partner facility […]

AUGUSTA — With strong backing from the Republican majority, the Senate on Wednesday rejected a late attempt by the LePage administration to reduce the state’s buffer zone for vernal pools, temporary wetlands known for helping sustain larger animals such as deer and bears in the spring. The Senate voted 29-6 against a floor amendment that […]

AUGUSTA — The Legislature has moved decisively against a controversial bill that would have prevented transgender individuals from filing complaints against schools and other public institutions for restricting access to bathrooms and locker rooms. Passage of LD 1046 was rejected by the House, 61-81, in a late Tuesday night vote that saw 15 Republicans break […]