Author: Libby Palanza

A bill establishing a new Office of the Child Advocate has now been sent to Gov. Janet Mills’ (D) desk for a signature after receiving unanimous approval in both the House and the Senate. Sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, LD 1893 replaces the Child Welfare Services Ombudsman program with the new Office of the Child Advocate. As described in the bill, the mission of this office would be “to provide independent oversight of state agencies and promote the best interests of children and ensure that children receive timely, safe and effective services in accordance with state and federal…

Sen. Susan Collins (R) has joined forces with Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) in leading a bipartisan group of senators, including Sen. Angus King (I), in urging the federal government to “revise and reissue those applications” for a federal education grant program. According to the coalition, U.S. Department of Education (DOE) Secretary Linda McMahon made significant changes to the guiding principles of the Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) grant competitions. Generally speaking, TRIO Programs are “Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.” Under this umbrella are eight separate programs…

The City of South Portland has moved to close James O. Kaler Elementary and reconfigure students by grade level, but residents may be given the opportunity to weigh in before plans are finalized. A petition is being circulated that would put the closure of Kaler School before voters as a referendum question should it be signed by at least 10 percent of the number of voters who cast a ballot in the last gubernatorial election. Resident Wheeler Boyd-Boffa was issued the petition by the city clerk Wednesday, according to the Portland Press Herald, more than a week after the school…

Last month, Maine homes sold for a median price of $375,000, unchanged from March of 2025. Home sale volume also remained consistent over this period. Nationally, home sales dropped 0.3 percent in a year-over-year comparison, while prices rose 1.3 percent to $412,400. In the northeast, sales dropped by 12.2 percent as the median sale price increased 5.7 percent to $494,500. “As families time their transitions around the school year and Maine’s snow-free months, we expect to see more homes coming onto the market in April and May,” the Maine Association of Realtors said in a statement. “On average, 39 families…

Under the supplemental budget signed into law last week by Gov. Janet Mills (D), all Maine public school districts will be required to adopt a bell-to-bell cell phone ban by August of this year. Accompanying this mandate is a $350,000 appropriation from the state’s General Fund. This represents a departure from the policy adopted by lawmakers this past summer directing school boards to develop their own approach to regulating student cell phone use during the school day. Although that measure originated as a statewide cell phone ban, it was later amended to preserve local control. All members of the Education…

As part of the recently signed supplemental budget, Maine has now made free community college a permanent fixture in the state. In recent years, a pandemic-era program has allowed several classes of graduating high school seniors to attend Maine’s community colleges both tuition- and fee-free. During the first wave of the program, approximately 6,400 students took advantage of these benefits. Last year, lawmakers considered a bill that would have solidified this program in state law, but the measure was unanimously rejected in committee before ever making it to the chamber floor. [RELATED: Free Community College Will Not Become a Permanent…

Maine’s $500 million supplemental budget was signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills (D) Friday after narrowly passing the House and Senate the day before. While lawmakers in the House were divided along strict partisan lines, one Democrat in the Senate, Sen. Nicole Grohoski (D-Hancock), broke ranks to join the Republicans in opposition to the measure. Among the provisions included in the final version of the budget are a new tax on Mainers earning over $1 million, free community college, funding for “reproductive health care” providers, as well as a plan to send $300 checks to many Maine residents, among…

Included in the supplemental budget advanced by the Democratic majority in Augusta was a “millionaire tax” that would charge residents an additional 2 percent on all income earned over $1 million. Maine’s current highest tax bracket caps out at 7.15 percent, the most wealthy Mainers may soon be subject to a total of 9.15 percent income tax on a portion of their earnings. The threshold at which this surcharge applies would be $1.5 million for heads of household and those filing jointly. According to WGME, this new tax can be expected to impact roughly 2,400 households. A similar idea had…

Maine Senators Susan Collins (R) and Angus King (I) have called for continued engagement with seafood industry stakeholders regarding concerns over ropeless gear, also known as “on-demand” gear. In a letter to Assistant Administrator for Fisheries at the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Eugenio Piñero Soler, the senators urged consideration of alternatives such as Dynamic Area Management. Sens. Collins and King explain in their letter that while Maine has made “meaningful progress” toward the eventual adoption of innovative fishing technologies, there are still “substantial issues” that must be resolved before it is “suitable for broad implementation in Maine’s fisheries.” “Cost…

Sen. Susan Collins (R) announced Monday that Maine will be receiving a combined $65 million for two rural infrastructure projects through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP). This represents an outsized portion, roughly equal to 16 percent, of the $408 million being awarded in total through the program. Nearly $39 million of this will be going towards the replacement of 11 state-owned bridges across rural central Maine, while the remaining $26 million will be used to replace the bridge decks on four state-owned bridges along Interstate 95 (I-95) in Penobscot County. “Growing up in Caribou,” said…

The amended supplemental budget under consideration by the Maine State Legislature contains a provision that would establish millions of dollars in ongoing funding for “reproductive health care and family planning” providers. Gov. Janet Mills (D) announced her intention to support such a measure in January, explaining that she wanted to “offset the impacts of Federal funding cuts implemented by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans.” The language included in Part Z of the amended supplemental budget would substitute state funding for Title X grant recipients in the event that federal money should be restricted or rescinded, as well as if…

Gov. Janet Mills (D) has signed a bill into law prohibiting medical debt collectors from placing a lien on a person’s home or garnishing their wages. This comes less than a year after state lawmakers passed a law preventing medical debt from being factored into Mainers’ credit scores. [RELATED: Medical Debt Will No Longer Play a Role in Calculating Mainers’ Credit Scores] After this latest measure, LD 2129, received unanimous approval from members of the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services (HCIFS) Committee, both the House and the Senate advanced the bill by voice vote. “Just like with consumer credit…

The Maine Supreme Court is in unanimous agreement that expanding the use of ranked-choice voting to include all state elections would represent a violation of the Maine State Constitution. Maine has used ranked-choice voting for federal offices since 2018, but the Maine Supreme Court explained in a 2017 advisory opinion that requiring candidates for state offices to earn majority support would violate the Maine Constitution, which states that the candidate winning the most votes, or a plurality, prevails and does not stipulate that a majority — or more than 50 percent — is needed to win. Although LD 1666 sought…

Maine is among the 23 states suing the Trump Administration over the president’s executive order outlining new federal actions intended to strengthen election integrity, enhance citizenship verification, and establish uniform standards for mail-in and absentee ballots. Led by California and filed in a Massachusetts court, the challenge alleges that the directives represent an unconstitutional attempt to interfere with the states’ administration of elections. According to the lawsuit, neither the Constitution nor any federal law gives the president the authority to mandate changes to election procedures. In his executive order, President Donald Trump cited the Help America Vote Act of 2002…

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and Gov. Janet Mills (D) celebrated Thursday after a federal appeals court rejected the Trump Administration’s request to allow the federal government to impose new rules for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care program. A coalition of twenty states, including Maine, has argued that these rules would sharply limit how much of the grants can go toward permanent housing and renewals. The complaint also alleges HUD has imposed unlawful conditions on funding eligibility, such as requiring providers to recognize only two genders, mandating that residents accept services as a…

Gov. Janet Mills (D) has signed into law a bill requiring the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to consider affordability when carrying out its prescribed duties. Members of the Energy, Utilities and Technology (EUT) Committee were divided over the proposal earlier this year, exhibiting partisan divisions that were ultimately reflected in roll call votes taken by the House and Senate in March. The final version of the bill directs the Maine PUC to develop an “affordability metric” to be used in assessing the impact of electricity bills on “the overall energy burden for residential customers of an investor-owned transmission and…

The cost of heating fuel in Maine has remained above $5 per gallon, according to the Maine Department of Energy Resources (DOER). Heating oil’s per gallon price tag of $5.37 per gallon represents a 41 percent increase since February. As of March 30, kerosene prices averaged at $6.25 per gallon. Estimations based on a standard 275-gallon oil tank indicates that Mainers are now paying an additional $475 for a fill-up compared to February. Heating fuel prices are updated weekly by the DOER and available to view here. Click Here to Read the DOER’s Full Statement The DOER went on to…

House lawmakers have advanced along nearly partisan lines a bill supporting the conversion of vacant school buildings into residential housing. Sponsored by Rep. Traci Gere (D-Kennebunkport), LD 2164 posits allocating $5 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year to the proposed Maine School Conversion Fund, portions of which would be used for a variety of expenses associated with transforming empty school buildings into usable housing. Termed the Vacant School Housing Conversion Program, the proposed initiative would be established within the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority and be authorized to provide “technical and financial assistance” to municipalities that choose to undertake such…

The United States Supreme Court has declined to hear a Maine mom’s case against a Damariscotta school in which she alleges they withheld information from her about her child’s gender transition. In December of 2022, mother Amber Lavigne discovered that a then-26-year-old social worker by the name of Samuel Roy had given her 13-year-old child two breast binders — garments designed to conceal the appearance of a female’s breasts — and provided instructions on their use. Lavigne also said that she was not told when Roy and other school officials began to use an alternative name and pronoun set for…

The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday morning in a case challenging President Donald Trump’s (R) stance on birthright citizenship. This past fall, the Trump Administration asked the Supreme Court to uphold his Executive Order issued on Inauguration Day redefining birthright citizenship. Although the Court considered a case earlier this year stemming from challenges to the Administration’s new policy, the Justices were not tasked at the time with weighing in on the merits of the discussion. Instead, they were asked at the time to define the bounds of authority for federal judges, determining whether or not they have…

Gov. Janet Mills (D) has signed a bill clarifying what constitutes a “billing statement” under state law. Last year, Maine prohibited banks from charging customers a fee for opting to receive paper statements, but concerns were raised in the interim that the language was too broad. Credit unions brought up to lawmakers that this change not only eliminated fees for regular monthly statements, but also prevented them from charging to fulfill labor-intensive requests, such as those that encompass years’ worth of records. Under the new law, “billing statement” would be defined as a monthly account statement, allowing Mainers to receive…

The United States Supreme Court ruled 8-1 Tuesday that Colorado’s ban on LGBTQ conversion therapy for children is unconstitutional under the First Amendment. According to the majority, the ban “regulates speech based on viewpoint,” meaning that the lower courts erred in “failing to apply sufficiently rigorous First Amendment scrutiny.” A concurring opinion authored by Justice Elena Kagan joined by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, arguing that “had instead enacted a content-based but viewpoint-neutral law, it would raise a different and more difficult question.” Dissenting from the Court’s ruling was Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on the grounds that the move “opens a dangerous…

Mainers bear the fifth highest overall tax burden nationwide, according to a recent study published by personal finance website WalletHub. This ranking takes into account property taxes and individual income taxes, as well as excise and sales taxes. Instead of looking at the rates themselves, this study considered these taxes as a share of personal income. The data used for this report was collected from the Tax Policy Center on March 3, 2026. Source: WalletHub Report, 03.31.26 Maine’s high placement on the list was primarily driven by the state’s property tax burden, which was found to be the fifth highest…

Applications for Maine’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Program opened Monday, allowing Mainers to take up to twelve weeks of paid leave to care for a sick family member, as well as to bond with a newborn baby or newly adopted child. Also eligible for leave under the program are those who are experiencing a serious health condition and are rendered unable to work for an extended period, and anyone serving as a caregiver for someone who meets the other conditions. Mainers began paying into the program on January 1, 2025, more than a year in advance of…

Sen. Susan Collins (R) announced Friday that she was able to preserve $190 million in federal funding for Maine’s rural hospitals after the state missed key milestones and failed to provide adequate information to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the award’s implementation. In reaching out to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, Sen. Collins underscored how critical the funding is for Maine’s rural hospitals and health care providers and urged CMS to help bring the state into compliance, which has since occurred. “Maine’s rural hospitals are under serious strain, with maternity wards and emergency departments continuing to…

Gov. Janet Mills (D) announced Friday that Maine is now slated to receive $43 million in federal funding to support the installation of high-efficiency heat pump water heaters. This money comes through the New England Heat Pump Accelerator, described by the governor as “a collaborative multi-state initiative supported by a Federal grant to rapidly increase the adoption of heat pump technology across the region.” Heat pump water heater purchased at participating Maine distributors and retailers will be eligible for an instant discount of up to $1,100 through Efficiency Maine rebates for eligible households. According to Gov. Mills, use of these…

Early Friday morning, the United States Senate agreed by voice vote to partially fund the Department of Homeland Security, excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as some parts of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This represents a major step towards ending the now 42-day long shutdown impacting a number of critical government agencies, including TSA, FEMA, The Coast Guard, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Under the package approved by the Senate, these agencies would be funded as lawmakers continue to battle over ICE and CBP. This comes immediately after President Donald Trump announced that he…

The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments Monday in a case challenging the legality of counting late-arriving absentee ballots. Originating in Mississippi, the case asks the Justices to decide whether mail-in ballots can be counted after election day if they are postmarked on time. More than a dozen other states have similar laws on the books allowing for these ballots to be counted, so the Court’s ruling later this year can be expected to have a widespread impact. The law at the center of this case was first passed in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A…

The Trump Administration announced last week that Maine is going to be one of 13 states investigated over their abortion laws. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Office for Civil Rights, the federal government is looking into whether the states in question are violating the 2005 Weldon Amendment, which prohibits discrimination against health care entities that do not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions. “OCR launches these investigations to address certain states’ alleged disregard of, or confusion about, compliance with the Weldon Amendment,” said Paula M. Stannard, Director of the HHS…

New polling from Emerson College shows Graham Platner holding a significant lead over Gov. Janet Mills in the Democratic primary in the race for one of Maine’s seats in the United States Senate. Among likely Democratic voters, 55 percent have expressed support for Platner, while just 28 percent have said they plan to vote for Gov. Mills. 13 percent remain undecided. Source: Emerson College Poll, 03.23.26 When pitted head-to-head against incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R), both Platner and Mills perform equally well, with results suggesting that either candidate would be able to earn a plurality of the votes. In both…

State lawmakers have advanced a bill giving Mainers the “right to repair” their electronic devices, but the House and Senate are in disagreement over which version of the bill to support. LD 1908, a bipartisan bill presented by Sen. Mike Tipping (D-Penobscot), looks to create an electronic “right to repair” law in the state, requiring that original equipment manufacturers make it possible for individuals and unauthorized repair shops to fix their products. Earlier this year, Sen. Tipping explained to members of the Housing and Economic Development (HED) Committee that the language he proposed aimed to build upon the work done…

Maine Senator Angus King (I) has joined a group of his Independent and Democratic Senate colleagues in calling upon Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to bring what they describe as a “key federal oversight group” out of dormancy. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) – self-described as a “scientifically independent, volunteer panel” responsible for “making evidence-based recommendations about clinical preventive services” – has been inactive for a year. Signing onto this letter alongside Sen. King are U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT),…

Gov. Janet Mills (D) has signed an emergency bill carving out an exception to the state’s new law prohibiting stores containing pharmacies from selling tobacco products. Because of this, small grocery stores could still potentially be eligible for a tobacco license, assuming that several other key conditions are met. Although many retail pharmacies, including CVS in 2014 and Hannaford in 2020, have already independently decided to stop offering tobacco products in stores, most businesses will not have a choice beginning in April of this year. Under these new regulations, it is considered a civil violation punishable by a fine of…

A group of preservation and architectural organizations are suing the Trump Administration in an attempt to block any further physical changes from being made to the Kennedy Center. President Donald Trump (R) has indicated that he believes it is necessary to shut down the performing arts center for two years in order to make a series of renovations. According to reports from the Associated Press, the lawsuit does not challenge the need for routine maintenance, but rather it takes aim at the more substantial alterations alluded to by the Trump Administration. The plaintiffs argue that any such updates would be…

A coalition of states and cities, including Maine, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over its February reversal of a 2009 declaration that has served as the basis for the government’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Known as the Endangerment Finding, this 2009 declaration states that the “current and projected concentrations” of greenhouse gases “threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations.” This stemmed from a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that greenhouse gases are a category of air pollutant covered by the Clean Air Act, opening the door for the EPA to determine under…

The price of heating fuel in Maine has continued to climb, now up 30 percent since February 23. The DOER pointed out in a Thursday press release that this spike occurred following the start of the conflict in Iran. The statewide average price per gallon of heating oil increased from $3.82 on February 23 to $4.97 per gallon on March 16, according to the results of a survey conducted by the DOER. Kerosene prices rose to $5.87 per gallon. Heating fuel prices are updated weekly by the DOER and available to view here. [RELATED: Maine Heating Fuel Prices Climb] “As…

Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed a measure into law that provides funding to the state’s Public Defenders Service (PDS). This comes just days after the agency announced it had run out of money to pay its attorneys. According to a PDS press release, final payments for FY26 were set to be made on March 23. Beyond that, lawyers would not have been paid until mid-July, when the new fiscal year begins. This emergency piece of legislation allocates a total of $22 million from the state’s General Fund to keep these services running, including $13 million for FY26 and $9…

Maine’s median home sale price rose to $395,000 in February this year with a total of 691 single-family residences exchanging hands. Home sale volume was down 8.84 percent compared to this time last year, while median sale prices were up 3.34 percent. According to the Maine Association of Realtors, February is typically a low point in the year for home sales. During this same period, home sales nationally decreased by 1.1 percent while prices rose 0.2 percent to $401,800. The median home sale price in the Northeast for February came in at $479,800, a 3.3 percent hike over last year,…

The State of Maine has awarded a total of $12 million for the construction of affordable apartments in Bangor, Portland, and South Portland. This funding stems from the Home for Good program, also known as the Housing First program, which was established by the Legislature in 2023 to support the provision of “permanent housing to address chronic homelessness in the State.” State law requires that “services facilitated under the program must be available on site, 24 hours per day and be designed to build independent living skills and connect individuals with community-based services.” As a result of these $12 million…

The Maine Department of Energy Resources (DOER) announced last week that heating fuel prices are on the rise. In just one week, the cost of a gallon of heating oil was said to have gone up 89 cents. The DOER pointed out in a Thursday press release that this spike occurred following the start of the conflict in Iran. The statewide average price per gallon of heating oil increased from $3.94 on March 2 to $4.83 on March 9, according to the results of a survey conducted by the DOER. Kerosene prices rose to $5.80 per gallon, up from $4.96…

Thirteen attorneys general have joined together in a lawsuit against OneMain Financial for allegedly adding unwanted products and hidden costs to borrowers’ loans, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in hidden charges. According to the lawsuit filed Monday in New York, the plaintiffs allege that OneMain Financial employed the practice of guiding customers toward purchasing credit insurance and other loan-related products while making misleading claims about what was actually required, as well as what the cancellation process was. The attorneys general argued in their complaint doing so violated state consumer protection laws and impacted tens of thousands of borrowers.…

Sen. Susan Collins (R) and Sen. Angus King (I) have joined a bipartisan but primarily Democratic group of lawmakers in calling upon the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release the remaining $400 million in heating assistance funds for FY26. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay utility bills, address energy crises, and lower costs by improving home energy efficiency through weatherization. Last year, nearly six million households nationwide received assistance through LIHEAP. Eligibility for LIHEAP aid is based on income, family size, and the availability of…

Both the Maine State House and Senate have unanimously approved an emergency bill expanding the state’s sales tax exemption for the sale and delivery of residential electricity. Originating as a proposal to establish a refundable tax credit worth as much as $600, LD 2078 was later amended to a more straightforward expansion of the existing structure. Under current state law, the first 750 kilowatt hours of electricity are exempt from sales tax, as well as “off-peak residential electricity used for space heating or water heating.” Any electricity consumed by customers enrolled in low-income assistance programs is also exempted from sales…

Lawmakers in the Maine State Senate have followed suit with their House colleagues in advancing a measure that would require political communications using images or videos that have been manipulated or altered to include a disclaimer. Coming down along strictly partisan lines, all Democrats voted in support of the bill, while all Republicans voted in opposition. The bill now faces a final vote in the Senate before likely being sent to Gov. Janet Mills’ (D) desk for a signature. Titled An Act Regarding Synthetic Material in Campaign Advertising, LD 517 looks to levy a fine of up to 500 percent…

Members of Maine’s congressional delegation have called upon the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to reopen the recently closed Tax Assistance Centers (TACs) in Bangor and Augusta. TACs are physical offices offering support to those who lack stable internet access, need help navigating technology, or otherwise require in-person assistance with their taxes. Should these closures remain permanent, the only remaining TAC in Maine would be located in South Portland. The lawmakers pointed out in their Thursday press release that for someone living in Fort Kent, getting to this TAC would require a ten-hour, 600-mile drive. Joining the push to reopen the…

The Falmouth School Department and Superintendent Steve Nolan are facing a lawsuit for allegedly not providing students the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. A high school student and his father filed suit on March 3, 2026, alleging that the school violated a 2011 state statute requiring that students be offered the chance to recite the Pledge at some point during the school day. As reported by the Portland Press Herald, plaintiff Christopher Hickey, on behalf of his son Clayton Hickey, claimed that during his two years in attendance at the school, recitation of the Pledge has not been…

South Portland voters will be asked this November to weigh in on an $87 million bond to construct new fire and police stations. This comes after the City Council rejected a $194 million bond to renovate the former Mahoney Middle School property into a comprehensive City Center complex, including a renovated theater, gym and community space. Under that proposal, a new police station would have been built on the former Mahoney athletic field. A new fire station was slated for construction on the department’s existing Broadway location. Due to the high cost, however, the City has since moved in a…

The Maine State Housing Authority announced Thursday that the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) will continue accepting applications through May 29, 2026. This federally funded program is designed to help eligible low- and moderate-income households pay a portion of their home heating costs. MaineHousing officials have explained that funding is still currently available for the program but warned that demand may increase as winter continues amidst rising prices. “MaineHousing and our community action agency partners across Maine stand ready to help as we head through the final weeks of winter and energy prices continue to climb,” MaineHousing Director Dan Brennan…

Maine lawmakers have advanced a bill that would require political communications using images or videos that have been manipulated or altered to include a disclaimer. House lawmakers approved the bill in a largely partisan roll call vote of 73-65, so it will now be sent to the Senate for further consideration. No House Democrats voted against the measure, meanwhile only one Republican voted in favor of it. This reflects the split that emerged earlier this month among members of the Judiciary Committee. Titled An Act Regarding Synthetic Material in Campaign Advertising, LD 517 looks to levy a fine of up…

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has reached a tentative settlement in the antitrust lawsuit filed against Live Nation and Ticketmaster two years ago for allegedly monopolizing the live entertainment industry. This comes less than a week after proceedings began in New York federal court. Although a number of states joined the federal government in its 2024 challenge, Maine was not among this group. As part of the tentative agreement, Ticketmaster would be required to allow venues to sell a portion of their tickets through other companies. Half of all tickets at amphitheaters owned, operated, or controlled by Live…

Lawmakers have asked the Maine Supreme Judicial Court to consider weighing in on the constitutionality of expanding the use of ranked-choice voting to all state elections. The request for the court’s opinion came almost immediately after the House advanced the bill in early February. LD 1666 has remained as unfinished business before the Senate in the weeks since it was sent to the chamber for final approval. Maine has used ranked-choice voting for federal offices since 2018, but the Maine Supreme Court explained in a 2017 advisory opinion that requiring candidates for state offices to earn majority support would violate…

Five Democratic lawmakers, as well as Maine’s Sen. Angus King (I), have filed an amicus brief in the lawsuit against President Donald Trump (R) over his plan to construct a 250-foot commemorative arch across from the Lincoln Memorial. The president announced his intention to pursue building “Independence Arch” during an October gathering at the White House for those who provided financial support to the $400 million ballroom project. “We really need it,” President Trump said of the arch. “The United States is the greatest and most powerful nation on earth, and American presidents need to be able to host events…

Rep. Jared Golden (D) of Maine’s 2nd Congressional District has joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in an effort to increase transparency surrounding the national debt. The Debt-to-GDP Transparency and Stabilization Act – co-led by Rep. Golden and Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) – would require the President’s annual budget, as well as congressional budget resolutions, to include the ratio of the public debt to the estimated gross domestic product (GDP). According to data from the Treasury Department, the national debt currently stands at nearly $39 trillion. Projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) indicate that the debt is on track…

Gov. Janet Mills (D) has signed a bill into law expanding access to the state’s Fund To Address Food Insecurity and Provide Nutrition Incentives. State law previously specified that only federal food and nutrition assistance programs were eligible to benefit from this fund. According to the sponsor of LD 2004, Sen. Henry Ingwersen (D-York), this change brings the law into alignment with lawmakers’ original intentions. Sen. Ingwersen explained that “no matter the funding sources, the original intent has always been to match SNAP/EBT dollars.” This fund was first established three years ago by the Legislature and, as of last year,…

Federal officials have said that they are working to implement a system for refunding the money collected from the tariffs struck down by the US Supreme Court in February. The Court blocked the tariffs after finding that the federal law upon which President Donald Trump (R) relied does not permit the president to impose tariffs. Known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, the 1977 law at the heart of this case gives the president broad authority to regulate economic transactions under a declared emergency. Despite having been invoked by prior presidents, IEEPA has never before been used…

Maine lawmakers have again taken up a bill aimed at bolstering the state’s child care industry, the most recent version of which has now been approved in both the House and Senate. While the bill was advanced by the Senate without a roll call vote, the House was split along mostly partisan lines over its passage, with all present Democrats supporting it and nearly all Republicans opposing it. Under the updated language, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is directed to develop a long-term plan for the sustainability of the Maine Child Care Affordability Program, which pays…

Maine’s congressional delegation has reached out to the Trump Administration seeking support for wild blueberry, potato, and apple farmers, as well as members of the state’s lumber and fishing industries. In a letter sent to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, members of the delegation urged the Administration to continue providing targeted relief to these specialty crop producers to help them “withstand the economic impacts of on-the-ground, environmental realities.” The lawmakers explain that the “absence of reliable, up-to-date cost-of-production and farm-gate pricing data for many specialty crops” has made it “essential” for the USDA to work directly with those in…

Maine’s Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee has unanimously voted to reject a proposal that would have overridden local ordinances on renewable energy development. Originally introduced as an entirely different measure, a sponsor’s amendment shared last month overhauled LD 2174 by striking and replacing its contents, as well as giving it a new title. Under the proposed amendment, brought forward by Rep. Christopher J. Kessler (D-South Portland), any local ordinances pertaining to renewable energy development that were “more stringent” than those included in state law would have been void and had “no force or effect.” Impacted by this provision would…

Sen. Angus King (I) introduced a bill with Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) to provide support to veterans participating in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) when they are applying for benefits. Maine’s Sen. Susan Collins (R) has also signed onto the bill as a cosponsor alongside a number of other Democratic and Republican lawmakers. According to the United States Department of Labor (DOL), TAP is a program designed to “address the employment, training, and job security needs of over 200,000 military servicemembers who transition to civilian life each year.” Titled the TAP Promotion Act, this bipartisan bill would authorize accredited representatives…

The United States Supreme Court declined Monday to hear a case concerning copyright protections for images generated using artificial intelligence (AI). By declining this case, the Justices have brought to a close the years-long dispute over whether visuals created by AI are eligible for protection under US copyright law. Plaintiff Stephen Thaler sought a federal copyright registration in 2018 for an image titled “A Recent Entrance to Paradise,” generated using an AI technology he developed called DABUS. His application was rejected in 2022 on the grounds that only works with human authors are eligible for copyright protections. This decision from…

The United States Supreme Court has sided with the New York Republican who challenged the state’s redistricting effort that would have eliminated New York City’s only GOP-held district. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) asked the Court on an emergency basis to restore the lines of her district ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. A lower court ruling found the district’s boundaries unfair to Black and Hispanic residents, ordering the state’s redistricting commission to produce a new map. Six of the nine Supreme Court Justices disagreed with this assessment, allowing Rep. Malliotakis’ district to remain intact. Dissenting from the majority were Justices…

Senate lawmakers in Maine unanimously voted Tuesday to advance a resolve increasing salary supplements for child care providers willing to look after babies. This measure also seeks to establish a grant program for facilities offering overnight care. All 34 senators present for Tuesday’s vote expressed support for the proposal. One Republican lawmaker was excused. This measure, LD 1414, was originally introduced as a concept draft by Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland). The language shared by Senate President Daughtry in January was eventually supplanted by committee members with a resolve providing the same kind of targeted benefits beginning on January 1,…

Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine’s 2nd Congressional District has joined forces with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce a bill to assess the effectiveness of the mental health services available to veterans and transitioning servicemembers. Titled the Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act, this bill would launch a formal review of the mental health programs offered by the federal government to former military members and those transitioning back into civilian life. Co-leads on this bill include Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), and Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE). “When I came home from the…

Maine lawmakers have unanimously recommended the passage of a bill carving out an exception to the state’s new law prohibiting stores that contain pharmacies from selling tobacco products. Members of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee added an emergency designation to the bill before sending it to the chamber floor, meaning that it will be able to take immediate effect. Signed by Gov. Janet Mills (D) this past summer, a bill sponsored by House Majority Leader Rep. Matt Moonen (D-Portland) barred all pharmacies and any retail establishments with a pharmacy from selling tobacco products. [RELATED: Potential Exemptions to Maine’s…

Maine lawmakers are considering a bill designed to provide financial support for reproductive and sexual health providers in the state amidst efforts at the federal level to restrict the flow of taxpayer dollars to abortion providers. According to the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Amy Kuhn (D-Falmouth), LD 335 is “intended to protect Maine patients and their access to health care regardless of political attacks,” referring to recent federal actions targeting abortion providers. Under this bill, state funds would be used to fill in any gaps created by reduced or restricted federal funding. Effective retroactively to July 1, 2025, the Maine Department…

Gov. Janet Mills (D) is looking to make free community college a permanent fixture in Maine as part of her proposed supplemental budget. In recent years, a pandemic-era program has allowed several classes of graduating high school seniors to attend Maine’s community colleges both tuition- and fee-free. During the first wave of the program, approximately 6,400 students took advantage of these benefits. Last year, lawmakers considered a bill that would have solidified this program in state law, but the measure was unanimously rejected in committee before ever making it to the chamber floor. [RELATED: Free Community College Will Not Become…

Sen. Susan Collins (R) has introduced legislation that would allow claimants to bypass the five-month waiting period when applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. As the law is currently written, Americans are not eligible to receive payments during this time frame despite already having a confirmed disability. Under the bill proposed by Sen. Collins, alongside Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), disabled claimants would have the option of receiving benefits immediately after approval in exchange for “a modest, actuarially sound reduction in their monthly benefit amount.” According to a statement shared by Collins announcing this proposal, the actuarial balance in…

A strong majority of Mainers believe that illegal immigration is a serious problem in the United States despite holding more divided opinions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This comes as part of the latest Pine Tree State Poll, a States of Opinion Project, conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. When asked about ICE or President Donald Trump’s (R) immigration enforcement actions, Mainers were starkly split based on their political affiliation. While Republicans were nearly unanimous in their support for ICE’s enforcement actions under the Trump Administration, Democrats were largely united in their opposition. Independents were more…

Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed an emergency bill into law amending the requirements that must be met by nurse practitioners before they gain full practice authority. State law previously required new nurse practitioners to spend twenty-four months, or two years, practicing under the supervision of a licensed physician or supervising nurse practitioner. Alternatively, nurse practitioners could spend this period employed by a clinic or hospital that had a licensed physician serving as a medical director. During the public hearing for LD 961 held in April of 2025, a representative of the Maine Nurse Practitioner Association explained that these longstanding requirements…

Sen. Angus King has cosponsored a bill alongside several Democratic lawmakers requiring the federal government to return the revenue generated from President Donald Trump’s (R) tariffs, which were recently struck down by the United States Supreme Court. According to the majority of the Court, the federal law upon which President Trump relied to enact these policies does not permit the President to impose tariffs. Authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the opinion explains that the Trump Administration’s view of the law “would represent a transformative expansion of the President’s authority over tariff policy.” “The Framers did not vest any part…

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has sent a letter to the Chairman of the Committee on House Administration expressing concern over the proposed Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act. In a statement shared Tuesday, the Secretary of State characterized the bill as “the most sweeping federalization of election administration in our nation’s history,” alleging that the law would be “unconstitutional” and “disenfranchise voters.” House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) has been the leading lawmaker behind this legislation, which seeks to make sweeping changes to federal election law. “Americans should be confident their elections are being run with integrity…

A public hearing has been set for a bill sponsored by members of Maine’s Democratic leadership in Augusta that would establish several new state-level health care funds worth millions of dollars. LD 2208, presented by Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) and cosponsored by Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland), is billed as “offset[ting] federal cuts to health insurance for certain Maine families and seniors.” Three separate funds are proposed in this legislation, each with a distinct purpose. The Rural Hospital Stabilization Program would “provide grants to defray operating costs for health care providers and health care facilities in rural…

Members of Maine’s Congressional delegation have spoken out in response to the United States Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision Friday striking down President Donald Trump’s (R) sweeping global tariffs. All four lawmakers representing Maine in Washington D.C. expressed support for the Court’s ruling, but their respective statements varied notably in tone and tenor. Maine’s two senators zeroed in on the balance of power between the three branches of government. The representatives, however, addressed the issue of tariffs more directly. While Rep. Jared Golden (D) of the Second District expressed support for the imposition of global tariffs, Rep. Chellie Pingree (D) of…

This Wednesday, Mainers will have the opportunity to make their voices heard on a proposed bill that could override local renewable energy development ordinances. Initially introduced as an entirely different measure, the sponsor’s amendment shared last week overhauls LD 2174 by striking and replacing its contents, as well as giving it a new title. The emergency designation included in the original version of this legislation was also removed as part of this sponsor’s amendment. Under the proposed amendment, brought forward by Rep. Christopher J. Kessler (D-South Portland), any local ordinances pertaining to solar energy developments, wind energy developments, energy storage…

Maine’s Gov. Janet Mills (D) released a statement Friday praising the United States Supreme Court’s ruling against President Donald Trump (R) declaring the tariffs he issued last year unlawful. The case spurring this decision originated after President Trump imposed tariffs on a wide variety of goods entering the country from many places around the world via a series of executive orders. To do this, Trump called upon the authority granted to presidents under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, to regulate economic transactions under a declared emergency. Despite having been invoked by prior presidents, IEEPA had never…

The United States Supreme Court has ruled 6-3 against President Donald Trump (R) in a long-awaited decision concerning the tariffs he imposed on numerous countries last year. Dissenting from this ruling were Justices Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh, and Samuel Alito. Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy coney Barrett each issued concurring opinions. According to the majority of the Court, the federal law upon which President Trump relied to enact these policies does not permit the president to impose tariffs. Authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the opinion explains that the Trump Administration’s view of the law would “would represent a transformative…

New polling from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center offers some early insight into the 2028 presidential primary field for both the Democratic and Republican tickets. As the first state in the nation to conduct presidential primary elections, how things turn out in New Hampshire can often set the tone going into the rest of the election cycle, indicating up front which candidates have a real chance of taking their party’s nomination. Results from the Granite State Poll, a States of Opinion Project, revealed that former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is currently at the top of the potential Democratic…

Central Maine Power (CMP) will again be seeking permission from the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to raise its rates. Despite this, the utility has indicated that ratepayers can expect to see their monthly bills decrease over the summer. This move comes several months after the Maine PUC unanimously rejected the utility’s most recent request to increase costs, arguing that the proposal “misse[d] the mark,” noting that Mainers are facing mounting affordability challenges. According to an Axios report from this past summer, Mainers saw the highest year-over-year increase in electricity costs nationwide between 2024 and 2025. In just one year,…

Maine lawmakers are now poised to consider a bill that would prohibit competitive electricity providers from charging more than the standard-offer service rate to customers receiving low-income assistance. The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) would be authorized under this bill to adopt routine technical rules to implement this measure. According to an Axios report from this past summer, Mainers saw the highest year-over-year increase in electricity costs nationwide between 2024 and 2025. In just one year, from May 2024 to May 2025, Maine’s average residential energy costs increased by a staggering 36.3 percent. Nationwide, there was an increase of just…

Maine lawmakers are poised to support a bill expanding the state’s sales tax exemption for the sale and delivery of residential electricity. Originating as a proposal to establish a refundable tax credit worth as much as $600, LD 2078 has since been amended to a more straightforward expansion of the existing structure. Under current state law, the first 750 kilowatt hours of electricity are exempt from sales tax, as well as “off-peak residential electricity used for space heating or water heating.” Any electricity consumed by customers enrolled in low-income assistance programs is also exempted from sales tax. The sponsors amendment…

Later this month, members of the public will have the opportunity to weigh in on a bill that would require Maine hospitals to develop plans for handling potential cybersecurity intrusions. This past summer, several Maine hospitals were affected by cyberattacks, forcing several facilities throughout the state to shut down access after encountering suspicious activity in their systems. [RELATED: Cyberattack Strikes Multiple Maine Hospitals, Remains Unclear Whether Patient Info Compromised] Under the proposed law, hospitals would need to submit plans to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) detailing how they would handle “notifications, communications, continuity of care for…

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division has sued Harvard University for allegedly withholding information that they say is necessary to determine if their admissions practices are free of discrimination. In 2023, the United States Supreme Court declared affirmative action unconstitutional, ruling that Harvard’s race-conscious admissions process actively violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. “Eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion at the time. The Trump Administration’s lawsuit alleges that Harvard “repeatedly slow-walked the pace of production and refused to produce pertinent data and…

Expiring Saturday is the two-week continuing resolution approved by lawmakers earlier this month to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amidst tense negotiations. As part of a funding package to end a partial government shutdown, lawmakers agreed to fund DHS through February 14, buying them time to continue working towards an agreement over funding for the department. Although the House had originally approved full funding for DHS — which is responsible for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), alongside the other agencies — the Senate opted to take a different route, instead supporting a two-week continuing resolution for DHS amidst…

The United States House of Representatives voted Wednesday to oppose the tariffs levied against Canada by President Donald Trump, approving the measure by a narrow but bipartisan margin of 219-211. Maine’s Rep. Jared Golden (D) of the Second Congressional District was the only Democratic lawmaker to join the majority of Republicans in rejecting the move and expressing support for the president’s policy. “I’ve loudly supported tariffs as a tool to make America more self-sufficient,” Rep. Golden, who is not seeking reelection, said Thursday morning, according to the Portland Press Herald. “I don’t have plans to take that tool out of…

On Thursday, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reversed an Obama-era declaration that has served as the basis for the government’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Known as the Endangerment Finding, this 2009 declaration states that the “current and projected concentrations” of greenhouse gases “threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations.” This stemmed from a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that greenhouse gases are a category of air pollutant covered by the Clean Air Act, opening the door for the EPA to determine under Section 202(a) if they can reasonably be understood to pose a threat…

On Thursday, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will rescind the 2009 declaration that has served as the basis for the government’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Known as the Endangerment Finding, this 2009 declaration states that the “current and projected concentrations” of greenhouse gases “threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations.” This stemmed from a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that greenhouse gases are a category of air pollutant covered by the Clean Air Act, opening the door for the EPA to determine under section 202(a) if they can reasonably be understood to pose a…

Maine lawmakers voted again Tuesday to advance a controversial bill that was recalled from Gov. Janet Mills’ (D) desk as the eleventh-hour measure last year expanding the use of ranked choice voting to all state elections. The bill was approved by a strict party-line vote of 19-13 in the Senate, followed by a series of nearly partisan votes in the House. The first vote in the House to accept the minority Ought to Pass as Amended report came 74-65. One Democrat — Rep. James F. Dill (D-Old Town) — joined Republicans in opposition. For the following two votes — to…

Early next week, lawmakers in Augusta are set to discuss a bill that would redefine the meaning of “public education” under state law. The proposal would also require that any private schools receiving public funds must be located within the state. Under the revised definition, the term “public education” would refer to education provided primarily at the public’s expense that meets all state and federal requirements for enrolled students and is free for all students in grades kindergarten through twelve. This bill, LD 2109 was submitted for consideration by the Maine Department of Education (MDOE), as opposed to being sponsored…

A special election has been scheduled for June 9 to fill the seat previously held by Rep. Kathy Javner (R-Chester) who passed away earlier this year after battling cancer. Rep. Javner represented House District 29, which is located in Penobscot County and is comprised of Chester, East Millinocket, Medway, Millinocket, Mount Chase, Patten, Woodville, and unorganized townships. The special election for House District 29 will coincide with the 2026 primary election. Javner was serving her fourth term in the legislature and was a member of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee when she passed away. [RELATED: Republican State Rep…

The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) announced Wednesday that Maine will be receiving $48.4 million in federal funding to help expand access to high-speed internet throughout the state. MCA president Andrew Butcher has reportedly said that this money will support infrastructure bringing internet to 22,000 homes and businesses. This will continue the work that the MCA has done in recent years connecting nearly 135,000 locations with high-quality internet. Butcher has explained that this latest round of funding will provide dedicated funding to all parts of the state that are currently, according to News Center Maine. This nearly $50 million award, however,…

On Wednesday, Gov. Janet Mills (D) released her proposed supplemental budget for the State of Maine. As part of this proposal, the governor had the opportunity to recommend updates to the state’s tax code, including whether or not to adopt some or all of recent changes made to the federal tax code. Last year, as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), lawmakers in Washington DC approved a number of changes to the federal tax code, reduced taxes on tips and overtime. Under the proposed supplemental budget, however, Gov. Mills has only directly endorsed conforming with a small…

In keeping with a resolve approved by lawmakers last year, a bill has been introduced in Augusta that would allow rental cars to be inspected once every two years instead of annually. This past spring, the Transportation Committee unanimously supported a resolve directing the Secretary of State’s Office and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), with input from the State Police Bureau, to “consider and develop recommendations” for implementing a “multiyear registration and inspection program” for national car rental companies operating in Maine. LD 2191, introduced Tuesday, proposes allowing car rental companies with over 1,000 noncommercial registered in the state…

The United States Supreme Court voted Wednesday to allow the State of California to use its new voter-approved congressional map in this year’s elections, a move that is expected to be favorable toward Democratic candidates in five districts. As is common with cases on the Court’s emergency docket, no explanation as to the Justices’ reasoning was provided in the brief order. No members of the Court dissented from the decision. In December, the Court issued a similar ruling in a case out of Texas, allowing the state to use an updated congressional map expected to be favorable toward Republican candidates…

The spending package to end the partial government shutdown was approved by lawmakers in the House Tuesday and signed into law by President Donald Trump (R) later that same day. Although the House had already agreed to a set of spending bills last week, the package in the Senate was amended, meaning that it had to go back to the House for a final vote before it could be signed into law. While the House had originally approved funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is responsible for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), alongside several other agencies, the Senate…

The United State Supreme Court has announced that on April 1 the Justices will be hearing oral arguments in a case challenging President Donald Trump’s (R) stance on birthright citizenship. This past fall, the Trump Administration asked the Supreme Court to uphold the Executive Order issued on Inauguration Day redefining birthright citizenship. Although the Court considered a case earlier this year stemming from challenges to the Administration’s new policy, the Justices were not tasked with weighing in on the merits of the discussion. Instead, they were asked at the time to define the bounds of authority for federal judges, determining…

Nearly a year ago, Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed a bill into law prohibiting banks from charging customers a fee for opting to receive paper statements. Now, lawmakers are considering a proposal to clarify what actually constitutes a “billing statement.” Ahead of a work session scheduled for later this week, updated language has been brought forward by bill sponsor Sen. Donna Bailey (D-York). Sen. Bailey, who was also responsible for the legislation approved last year, explained in testimony before the Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services (HCIFS) Committee that LD 2061 seeks to address concerns raised by credit unions in…

The United States Senate voted Friday in support of a major funding bill to keep the federal government open. Included in the package advanced by last week’s 71-29 vote were five regular appropriations bills, as well as a two-week stopgap measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This represents a departure from the proposal advanced by House lawmakers, as the lower chamber had voted to fully fund DHS, albeit by a more narrow margin than for the other departments. Because the Senate opted to take a different direction than the House, representatives must again consider and approve the…

Digital privacy will soon be coming before the United States Supreme Court as Justices have agreed to hear a case concerning conflicting interpretations of the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA). Enacted in 1988, the VPPA was introduced after Robert Bork’s video rental history was shared with and published by a journalist during his contentious Supreme Court confirmation hearing. The VPPA bars “video tape service providers” from sharing “personally identifiable information” about “consumers” who rent, purchase, or subscribe to their services. The case that is now set to come before the Supreme Court alleges that Paramount violated the VPPA by disclosing…

Nearly a year ago, Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed a bill into law prohibiting banks from charging customers a fee for opting to receive paper statements. Now, lawmakers are considering a proposal to clarify what actually constitutes a “billing statement.” Bill sponsor Sen. Donna Bailey (D-York), who was also responsible for the legislation approved last year, explained in testimony before the Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services (HCIFS) Committee that LD 2061 seeks to address concerns raised by credit unions over the past several months. Originally sponsored by a bipartisan group of legislators, last year’s legislation banning paper statement fees…

President Donald Trump (R) has sued the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Treasury Department for $10 billion over allegations that the agencies unlawfully allowed a contractor to leak his tax returns during the 2020 election cycle. The complaint, filed by President Trump in his personal capacity, alleges that a former IRS employee “illegally obtained access to, and disclosed [his] tax returns and return information to the New York Times, ProPublica, and other leftist media outlets.” Also plaintiffs in the lawsuit are his sons Eric and Don Jr., as well as the Trump Organization as a whole. It is argued in…