AUGUSTA — A legislative committee divided along partisan lines Thursday over a Republican proposal that would scale back future minimum-wage increases in Maine while creating a lower wage for younger workers. In November 2016, Maine voters approved a ballot initiative that increased the state’s minimum wage from $7.50 to $9 an hour, with additional $1-an-hour […]
state house
Posted inFranklin
McGrane announces run for District 17 senator
FARMINGTON — Democrat Gary McGrane, a longtime advocate for Franklin County and its people, announced his campaign for state senator in District 17. The seat is held by Republican Sen. Thomas Saviello of Wilton. “The people of our district need a senator who will fight for them, and represent them in Augusta,” McGrane said. “I […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage urges lawmakers to work on bill to protect elderly from foreclosure
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage on Tuesday implored lawmakers to work on a bill designed to protect the elderly from tax lien foreclosures, saying that in the last year alone, 12 elderly Mainers have lost their homes to foreclosure. LePage spoke to members of the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation at the State House during […]
Posted inMaine
Lawmakers face competing bills to criminalize female genital mutilation
AUGUSTA — Two bills criminalizing the practice of female genital mutilation are competing for support in the Legislature. Lawmakers fell just one vote short of criminalizing the practice in 2017, amid concerns that state and federal law already made the practice illegal and because the topic has been widely used to demonize immigrants or refugees […]
Posted inConnections, The Franklin Journal
Avon woman sings National Anthem
Rep. Tom Skolfield of Weld and Rep. Russell Black of Wilton welcomed Maddy Contreras of Avon to the Maine State House where she sang the National Anthem to open session in the Maine House of Representatives on Jan. 23. In back are Black, Hannah Cox, Darwin Contreras, Jessica Savage, Leon Savage, Pastor Brian Rebert and […]
Posted inConnections, Lewiston-Auburn
Student is Honorary Page
Winthrop Middle School student Charlotte Bryant served as an Honorary Page in the Maine Senate on Jan. 18. She was the guest of Sen. Shenna Bellows of Manchester, pictured with her. Students from third grade through high school are invited to serve in the Senate Chamber as Honorary Pages when the Senate is in session. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislative committee votes to delay new medicinal marijuana rules
The legislative committee that oversees Maine’s medical marijuana program wants to suspend controversial new rules cracking down on caregivers. The state Department of Health and Human Services finalized the rules last year and is scheduled to implement them on Feb. 1, but the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee wants to put those rules on […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lawmakers propose extending retail pot ban until May
AUGUSTA — In an effort to give themselves some breathing room, lawmakers overhauling the voter-approved marijuana legalization law Tuesday introduced a bill that would extend the ban on retail sales until May 1. Sen. Roger Katz, R-Augusta and chair of the Marijuana Legalization Implementation Committee, proposed extending the moratorium, due to expire on Feb. 1, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Move to restrict signature gathering at polls assailed at hearing
AUGUSTA — At polling places across Maine, those gathering signatures for ballot initiatives have often set up a table on the way out to offer voters the opportunity to put their names on required petitions. For supporters, it’s a sign of a thriving democracy. For some, though, it’s a growing hassle. “We’ve come to hate […]
Posted inMaine
Expect 2018 to be a big year in Maine politics
Lingering debates must be resolved on marijuana and ranked-choice voting while nearly two dozen candidates are running for governor. Maine’s politicians and the state’s voters will have plenty to think about in 2018. Everything from who will replace Republican firebrand Paul LePage as governor to whether Maine will change the way it votes on statewide […]