AUGUSTA — With big debates on contentious issues still looming, the Legislature on Wednesday took action on a slate of bills, including one requiring cell-phone manufacturers to post health warnings on product packaging. In a surprise decision, the House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to the proposal, LD 1014, after an attempt to vote it […]

AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Charlie Summers and Republican leaders are supporting a bill that would eliminate Maine’s 38-year-old same-day voting registration and bans absentee voting two business days before Election Day. Proponents say the bill is designed to ease the workload of town clerks overwhelmed by an increasing number of voters who cast absentee […]

Gov. Paul LePage is expected to sign a bill that allows 16- and 17-year-olds to work more often and longer hours during the school year. The bill, LD 516, was enacted by a vote of 21-13 by the Senate this week following a lengthy debate. The vote broke mostly along party lines with Sen. Bill […]

Legislative leaders from both parties said Friday that bipartisan work on Gov. Paul LePage’s $6.1 billion budget proposal continues despite the resurgence of divisive rhetoric. But the question remains: With more divisive debates looming, can lawmakers reach the budget compromise necessary to avoid a government shutdown? So far, leaders of both parties are saying all […]

AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s controversial proposal to eliminate a requirement that Maine power companies increase the amount of electricity they deliver from renewable resources by 2017 is on hold.  At least for now. The Legislature’s Energy and Utilities Committee voted unanimously this week to essentially delay the governor’s plan, which would cap electricity derived […]

AUGUSTA — Republican lawmakers, with the backing of Gov. Paul LePage, on Wednesday reintroduced a right-to-work bill. The late-session move is destined to mobilize organized labor protests at the State House as the Legislature speeds toward adjournment. Democrats blasted the GOP for assisting LePage in what they saw as a politically motivated decision at the […]

AUGUSTA — A bill that eliminates workers’ right to unionize at the DeCoster-owned Quality Egg farm in Turner continues to languish in the House of Representatives, possibly because of workplace violations. The bill, LD 1207, was slated for a preliminary House vote on two occasions this week but was delayed each time. To what extent, […]