Inside Augusta
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After trying to oust Maine Capitol Police chief, Senate Democrats defend free speech on social media
More than 70 elected Maine Democrats, including 13 of 21 Democratic senators, signed...
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How would banning flavored tobacco products impact Maine’s budget?
This week, the anti-tobacco organization “Flavors Hook Kids” held an online news conference...
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Mills unveils new compromise on PPP issue, tax conformity
Maine Governor Janet Mills issued a press release Tuesday outlining a proposed path...
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Adding insult to injury: Governor Mills and the PPP
The Paycheck Protection Program, part of the federal CARES Act passed last year,...
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Fake concept drafts don’t belong in a virtual legislative session
Much of the Maine Legislature’s regular business looks different this year. The Clerk...
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New letter defends Chief Gauvin’s free speech rights
After Maine Democrats sent a letter to the state’s top public safety official...
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Governor Mills’ budget sleight of hand
Maine Governor Janet Mills released the details of her second proposed biennial budget last Friday...
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First bills of the 130th Legislature released for public consumption
Last week our team offered a preview of the First Session of the...
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The good, the bad and the ugly bills that could be debated this session
Just before the holidays, the legislature released a list of all legislator and...
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Lawmakers submit more than a dozen bill requests to reform emergency executive power
After nearly a year with one person unilaterally dictating public policy in Maine,...
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Some lawmakers propose reining in Mills’ emergency power, assuming control of virus response
Some members of the Maine Legislature are speaking out against Gov. Janet Mills’...
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Maine not out of the woods despite rosier revenue projections
Though Maine’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly taken a toll on...
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Bellows wastes $74,150 in taxpayer funds to take over as secretary of state
It’s the start of a new term of the Maine Legislature, which means...
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What issues will Maine Democrats resurrect in 2021?
With Maine’s 2020 statewide general election behind us, it’s time to look ahead...
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Mills’ curtailment order balances the budget for now, but tough choices remain in the future
Last week, Governor Janet Mills issued a “curtailment order,” a tool Maine governors...
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Governor Mills moves the goalposts on high school sports
After telling the public that the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) would have the...
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Gov. Mills’ business relief package too little, too late for many small businesses
Maine Gov. Janet Mills announced Thursday the creation of a new small business...
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Committee proposes turning state takeover of CMP into study
On Friday, Maine’s Energy, Utilities, and Technology committee voted 8-1 to amend a...
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Economic Recovery Committee urges Gov. Mills to spend $1.1 billion to revive Maine’s economy
Last week, Governor Janet Mills’ Economic Recovery Committee released recommendations urging the administration...
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Gideon and Jackson’s failure to define scope of work puts special session in jeopardy
Senate President Troy Jackson and Speaker of the House Sara Gideon began polling...
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Coronavirus, Governor Mills, and the Constitution
Governors and bureaucrats are picking and choosing which parts of the Constitution they...
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Pressure mounts on Speaker Gideon, President Jackson to reconvene the Maine Legislature
The Maine Legislature may soon reconvene three months after lawmakers adjourned the 2020...
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Lawmakers express bipartisan frustration over labor commissioner’s absence
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle voiced frustration last Thursday after Department...
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Governor Mills and selective science
This piece was originally published in the Portland Press Herald Businesses throughout Maine...
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Maine Senate Republicans ask the presiding officers to convene the Legislative Council
The leaders of the minority Republicans in the Maine Senate on Wednesday sent...
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The governor is shifting COVID-19 costs to counties
On May 15, Governor Mills issued an executive order delegating authority to the Commissioner of...
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The governor shouldn’t be acting alone
Maine citizens are becoming increasingly divided. It didn’t have to be this way....
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New legislative proposal would curb emergency powers of Maine’s chief executive
In a press statement released late Monday afternoon, House Minority Leader Rep. Kathleen...
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Gov. Mills announces changes to her plan to reopen Maine
Governor Janet Mills announced changes to her plan to reopen Maine’s economy Friday...
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For how long will Maine be under a civil state of emergency?
On March 15, Maine Governor Janet Mills declared a civil state of emergency enabling her...
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Governor Mills signals changes are coming to her plan to reopen Maine’s economy
Governor Janet Mills alluded to forthcoming changes to her plan to reopen Maine’s...
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The Legislature must reconvene to rein in the governor’s emergency powers
On Saturday evening, the Republican leaders in the House and Senate, with the...
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Governor Mills issues order to stop evictions, foreclosures during coronavirus shutdown
Maine Governor Janet Mills signed an executive order Thursday that effectively prevents the...
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Gov. Mills announces plan to open two alternative care sites, floats postponement of June primary election
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Maine grew by 20 overnight to...
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Governor Mills extends state tax filing deadline, deems firearm retailers ‘non-essential’ businesses
Governor Janet Mills announced Thursday she is extending the state of Maine’s income...
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Gov. Mills issues new mandate for nonessential businesses to close for two weeks
Maine Governor Janet Mills and Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center...
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Maine Legislature acts on COVID-19, gives Gov. Mills broad authority to respond
The Maine Legislature adjourned Tuesday evening after a marathon session where the body...
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Maine Legislature to adjourn Tuesday due to coronavirus
The Maine Legislature will prematurely adjourn Tuesday in response to the coronavirus, Maine’s...
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Proposed bill would boost salaries of Maine’s governor, lawmakers and judges
Lawmakers on Maine’s State and Local Government Committee held a public hearing Monday...
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Focus shifts to Governor Mills on TCI gas tax
The pressure is on Janet Mills as the public comment period on the...
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Lawmakers exploring a $23 million ‘pack tax’
On Wednesday, lawmakers on Maine’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee held a public...
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Public control isn’t the answer to concerns about Maine’s power utilities
This item was originally published in the Portland Press Herald. Maine consumers –...
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Lawmakers wasting time on cage-free egg bill
Maine has a $232 million annual transportation funding shortfall. Nursing homes that care...
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Whoops, we forgot to fix the roads
A little over one year into her tenure as governor, Janet Mills is...
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The nanny state wants to take away your vape
Lawmakers on Maine’s Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing Wednesday...
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Bill seeks to limit Mainers’ free speech within 60 days of an election
Maine’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee is holding a public hearing Wednesday on...
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Gov. Mills attempts to appease critics, stretches the truth in first State of the State address
Maine Gov. Janet Mills delivered her first State of the State address Tuesday...
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Southern Maine lawmakers want to build a taxpayer-funded convention center in Portland
The Maine Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee is holding a public hearing...
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Pay attention to looming gas tax increase
Progressive lawmakers are in pursuit of an ever-expanding state government in Augusta. Their...
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Lawmakers to address the grave emergency of electric school buses
Lawmakers on Maine’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee are holding a public hearing...
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The new year brings changes to state and local laws
In addition to resolutions, 2020 brings new changes to state and local laws....
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Understanding Governor Mills’ 10-year economic plan
Governor Janet Mills earlier this month released her 10-Year Economic Development Strategy for the state,...
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Governor Mills finally resolves inauguration debt and receives $2,000 fine
On Wednesday, the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices fined Governor Janet...
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TCI would raise gas prices by up to 17 cents per gallon, do little to curb emissions
The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), a regional collaboration of 12 Northeast and...
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Maine must fund waitlists for people with intellectual disabilities
On October 8, 2019, the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) released...
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Plan for universal health care in Maine calls for massive tax increases
The 129th Maine Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee met Monday...
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Like others that preceded it, Governor Mills’ economic plan will be a bust
Governor Mills on Wednesday released her 10-year economic development plan for Maine, the...
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Lawmakers approve more fake emergencies for consideration in upcoming session
Maine’s Legislative Council convened last Friday to consider appeals made by lawmakers regarding...
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Leg Council rejects crucial workforce development bill, denies public employees their First Amendment rights
The majority members of Maine’s Legislative Council voted Friday to kill along party...
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How to fix Maine’s transportation funding shortfall
In June, Gov. Janet Mills signed LD 945, a resolve that created the Blue...
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Should a prescription be necessary to purchase vape products?
Last month, Maine’s Legislative Council allowed LR 2765, “An Act To Enact Restrictions...
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Is it feasible to provide a universal basic income in Maine?
Earlier this year the legislature passed LD 1324, a bill that creates an 11-person...
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Video: Understanding the Transportation & Climate Initiative
Governor Janet Mills is considering entering Maine into the Transportation & Climate Initiative,...
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Leg Council rejects universal recognition, undermines public employees’ First Amendment rights
The Legislative Council on Wednesday met to vote on nearly 400 bills submitted...
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Legislative Council approves dozens of non-emergencies
The Legislative Council convened Wednesday to consider roughly 400 bill requests submitted by...
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Here are some of the ’emergencies’ lawmakers want to debate in the Second Session
It is everyone’s favorite time of the legislative cycle – preparing for the...
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People’s Veto effort to repeal vaccine mandate qualifies for March 2020 ballot
Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap confirmed Thursday his office had certified the...
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Maine lawmakers are moving in the wrong direction on vaping
Following a national trend, Maine lawmakers decided in June to raise taxes on...
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Lawmakers submit nearly 400 bills for consideration in Second Session
They’re at it again. On September 27th, lawmakers were required to submit all...
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Should ballot questions be reserved for general elections?
When the legislature adjourns from session, all non-emergency legislation that was passed becomes...
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Unaccommodating regulation threatens the future of tiny homes in Maine
Tiny houses are a relatively new phenomenon and are becoming a modern lifestyle...
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Does Maine have 500 problems that only government can solve?
The Constitution of Maine explicitly states all bills passed by the legislature become law 90...
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After years of resistance, Maine is rolling out new rules for autocycles
Hundreds of new Maine laws will take effect later this week. Among them...
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New hands-free driving law takes effect on Thursday
On September 19th, many bills passed during the First Regular Session of the...
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Governor Mills lets RCV for presidential elections become law without her signature
Maine Governor Janet Mills decided Friday to let LD 1083, “An Act To...
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Friday is the deadline for Governor Mills’ decision on LD 1083
Governor Janet Mills has until the end of the day Friday to decide...
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Will Governor Mills sign or veto bill that expands RCV to presidential elections?
The Maine Legislature reconvened on Monday to consider four bond proposals that failed...
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Lawmakers reject 3 of 4 bonds, approve RCV for presidential elections during special session
Lawmakers returned to Augusta on Monday to debate several bonds proposed by Governor...
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Lawmakers and voters should reject new borrowing
Earlier this week, Governor Janet Mills issued a proclamation calling the Maine Legislature back to...
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The governor’s outstanding inauguration debt poses real questions for state ethics regulators
Maine Governor Janet Mills still has not paid the full cost of her...
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Lawmakers will consider more than $2.1 billion in bonds next session
The Maine Legislature is slated to debate more than $2.1 billion in bonds...
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Skewed priorities in the Mills administration
Yesterday, Governor Janet Mills announced that her administration has urged the federal government...
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Governor Mills defies ‘foolish, unsupported and ill-advised’ regulations on Maine lobster industry
In a fiery letter sent Thursday, July 11, Governor Janet Mills announced her...
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REAL ID is a privacy-eroding overreach by the federal government
In 2005, the United States Congress passed the REAL ID Act, with the...
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What did Maine lawmakers accomplish in 2019?
The first session of the 129th Legislature adjourned in mid-June, making it critical...
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Governor Mills found her veto pen and used it against government unions
After the First Regular Session of the 129th Maine Legislature came to a...
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Maine now has automatic voter registration. How will the new system impact our elections?
In a utopian society where there is no ill will or mistakes made...
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How Augusta overcharges you for milk
To advocates of a limited public sector, there’s a lot to dislike about...
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Proposed workers’ comp changes the wrong step for Maine
In the early ‘90s, times were very different than they are today. Maine’s...
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National Popular Vote fight not over yet
Just last week, an amazing thing happened in the Maine House. Twenty-one Democrats...
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Bill to adopt national popular vote compact fails in Maine House
The Maine House voted to reject a bill Thursday that would bind the...
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How to submit testimony via the Legislature’s new online system
Background The Legislature has developed a new automated tool for submitting electronic testimony....
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Maine would be wise to undo its ‘blue laws’
Maine is one of a small handful of states that still impose so-called...
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Mainers have been so active this session, the legislature has new procedures for submitting testimony
It’s true – citizens have been so active this session that the Maine...
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Lawmakers squander opportunity to ease vehicle inspection requirements
In 1994, Maine rolled out the United States Emissions Test, a program that...
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Don’t fall for the seasonal gas tax gimmick
Roads across Maine are in rough shape this time of year, and a...
