All posts tagged "news"
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SCOTUS limits EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions at power plants
On the final day of its October 2021 term, the Supreme Court ruled...
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Southport voters rescind authority for locally-owned broadband network
Residents of Southport voted on June 28 to overturn approval for a fiber...
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Maine DOE seeks accountability and assessment reporting waivers for third consecutive year
For the third consecutive school year, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is...
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Maine DOE hiring for MOOSE online learning program
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) recently announced it is looking to hire...
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University of Maine System disregards policy in Chancellor Malloy’s temporary contract extension
During a June 16 meeting of the Maine Legislature’s Committee on Education and...
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SCOTUS overturns Roe v. Wade, ending federal abortion rights
In a 6-3 majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, the U.S. Supreme...
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Maine Supreme Court denies challenge to state’s ‘yellow flag’ law
In a decision released June 21, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled against...
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Supreme Court strikes down sectarian exclusion in Maine’s town tuitioning program
On June 21, the United States Supreme Court ruled Maine’s prohibition on sectarian...
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Maine unemployment rate hits 26-month low in May
Maine’s unemployment rate fell slightly in May, to 3.2 percent from 3.3 percent...
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Waterville doctor who wrote COVID-19 vaccine exemptions has license reinstated
The Board of Osteopathic Licensure restored Paul Gosselin’s license to practice medicine on...
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Malloy, UMS Board of Trustees chair address controversies during education committee meeting
A decision about University of Maine System (UMS) Chancellor Dannel Malloy’s contract will...
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Poliquin tops Caruso, Sartoris defeats Sarhbeck in Maine’s June primary elections
Republican Bruce Poliquin defeated Elizabeth Caruso in the June 14 primary for the...
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Maine DOE announces public comment period for new waiver requests
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is currently seeking comments related to a...
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Federal watchdog finds 20% of pandemic unemployment funds wasted on fraudulent or ineligible claims
At least 20 percent of federal dollars paid out through pandemic-related unemployment programs...
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Subcommittee of Gov. Mills’ Climate Council recommends payments, transportation and childcare for Mainers who attend meetings
As part of Maine’s Climate Council, which is working to implement a four-year...
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New report pegs Maine’s economy as 8th weakest in 2022
According to a report recently released by WalletHub, Maine has the eighth weakest...
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Maine DSA pushing four ballot questions in Portland, including $18 minimum wage
The Maine chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) recently announced it...
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Portland reverses course on food truck lottery, grants permits to all applicants
Days after announcing the results of a lottery for a new pilot program...
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What the ReCode Portland effort can learn from the city of Auburn
Now that LD 2003, the housing bill sponsored by Speaker of the House...
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Maine’s $850 checks to start hitting mailboxes by next week
The $850 checks passed as part of the most recent supplemental budget deal...
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Mainers faced among the highest gas prices in the nation over Memorial Day weekend
According to The Hill, Maine’s average price of gas per gallon was 10th...
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Portland Charter Commission’s initial report calls for noncitizen voting, clean elections and a strong mayor
If passed as currently written, a recently submitted draft proposal of reforms to...
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What a SCOTUS ruling in favor of Maine families would mean for school choice, town tuitioning
Before the Supreme Court issues its final opinion for the October 2021 term...
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Chancellor Malloy receives fourth no-confidence vote, Laliberte withdraws from UMA post
University of Maine System (UMS) Chancellor Dannel Malloy has now received four votes...
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Maine’s unemployment situation ‘essentially unchanged’ in April
Following an upward revision to March’s jobs numbers, Maine’s unemployment rate was “essentially...
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UMS chancellor Malloy under fire for hiring practices at UMA, retrenchment at UMF
After failing to disclose a vote of no confidence in the incoming University...
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Report questions the information collection, retention and auditing practices of the MIAC
As a result of its information retention practices related to privacy and the...
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Lawmakers spar over hemp regulations on final day of session
Maine’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) would write new rules to...
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Secretary of State’s Office can consult Urban Dictionary in review, approval of vanity license plates
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ office released draft rules on May 5 detailing...
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Small business advocates worry about costs, confusion with Maine’s new paid vacation time policy
A law related to pay for vacation time at the end of employment...
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New rules spell trouble for Maine lobstermen, with or without enforcement
Though a new rule from the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration affecting the...
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Gov. Mills issues first vetoes of the second session
Gov. Janet Mills has so far vetoed two bills passed during the 130th...
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Unpacking the tribal sovereignty bills and debate
Though the 130th Maine Legislature will return to Augusta for a veto day...
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Here’s what has become law thus far from the legislature’s second session
On April 27, Gov. Janet Mills signed LD 2003 into law. The bill...
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Lawmakers fund cessation efforts but retreat on more sweeping tobacco taxes and regulations
With the 130th Maine Legislature’s second session completed, except for a veto day...
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Extra day of session results in substantial legislative spending spree
Both chambers of the Maine Legislature met on April 25 for the final...
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Lawmakers extend session one day, Mills’ utility accountability bill revived with new amendment
Lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and Senate met on April 20...
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Lawmakers enact budget agreement, House rejects Gov. Mills’ utility accountability proposal
Both the House of Representative and the Senate convened on April 19 for...
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Lawmakers closing in on final deals on budget, housing and utility accountability measures
With only three days left in the 130th Legislature’s second session, both the...
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Maine unemployment shows modest improvement in March
In March, Maine’s unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, a decrease from February’s 4...
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Lawmakers reach budget agreement, approve House Speaker’s housing bill
The Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs (AFA) met late on the evening...
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Lawmakers rush to finish work with one week left in second session
With one week left in the legislative session and work on the supplemental...
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Speaker Fecteau offers last minute amendment to affordable housing bill
On April 7, the Maine Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee voted 8 to...
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Legislature approves sale of spirits at stadiums, indefinitely postpones inspection fee hike
The Maine Senate on April 7 voted to indefinitely postpone a bill that...
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‘Pine Tree Amendment’ fails to garner enough support in House to amend state constitution
The House of Representatives on April 5 failed to pass a bill that...
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Both parties outline spending priorities with less than three weeks until adjournment
The 130th Maine Legislature is currently scheduled to adjourn its second session on...
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Legislature passes bill to keep open veterans’ homes, Senate tables bill to double inspection fee
A bill to keep veterans’ homes in Machias and Caribou open was passed...
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Waivers, assessment changes make difficult comparisons of education outcomes in Maine during pandemic
For the last two school years, Maine has received a waiver from the...
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Maine House votes to double annual fee on motor vehicle inspections
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate met on March 29 for...
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Senate tables measure to expand RCV to municipal elections
During a joint session of the Maine Legislature on March 24, the Senate...
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Maine’s employment outlook largely unchanged in February
Maine’s unemployment rate was 4 percent in February, a small change from January’s...
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Disagreement between Speaker Fecteau, Senate President Jackson prevents hearing on gas tax suspension
A disagreement between the presiding officers of the Maine Legislature––House Speaker Ryan Fecteau...
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Lawmakers debate name changes, liquor laws and local election procedures during Tuesday session
Both chambers of the Maine Legislature convened on March 22 for the first...
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Energy committee splits on Gov. Mills’ utility accountability proposal
On March 18, the Maine Legislature’s Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology held...
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Appropriations Committee Democrats sink plan to accelerate disbursement of direct relief checks
During a work session on a bill proposing to return surplus money to...
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Gov. Mills’ final supplemental budget plan increases value of relief checks to $850
Gov. Janet Mills unveiled her change package to the supplemental budget on March...
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Speaker Fecteau’s amended housing bill clears hurdle in committee
The Maine Legislature’s Committee on Labor and Housing (LBHS) on March 16 voted to...
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Maine’s unemployment outlook unchanged in January
Maine’s unemployment rate was unchanged from December 2021 to January 2022. The unemployment...
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Bill to allow hunting on Sunday shot down in committee
The Maine Legislature’s Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) voted against a...
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Senate defeats bill to prohibit mandatory COVID-19 shots for 5 years
For the sixth time during the 130th Maine Legislature’s second session, the House...
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Former state auditor Matt Dunlap ‘not sure’ if he’ll pursue post again next year with new credentials
Approximately five months after being forced to vacate the position of state auditor,...
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As gas prices soar in Maine, an Auburn legislator proposes suspending the gas tax
With the retail price of gasoline in Maine over $4 per gallon and...
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Affordable housing bill pushes local deregulation while questioning the extent of local control
The Maine Legislature’s Committee on Labor and Housing held a public hearing March...
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Tobacco provisions stripped from bill in HHS Committee to repurpose the Fund for a Healthy Maine
The Maine Legislature’s Committee on Health and Human Services (HHS) voted to advance...
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Legislative Council votes to make masks optional at State House starting March 7
Maine’s Legislative Council voted unanimously on March 3 to change its requirement that...
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Mills admin recommends optional masking in schools, childcare settings starting March 9
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Maine Department of...
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Revenue Forecasting Committee revises projected surplus upwards by $411 million
Maine’s General Fund revenue forecast will increase by approximately $411.6 million following a...
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Following other states, Gov. Mills calls on state liquor commission to delist Russian spirits
On February 28, Gov. Janet Mills signed a proclamation expressing solidarity with the...
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Lawmakers debate new occupational regulations for residential construction contractors
The Maine Legislature’s Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business convened on...
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Lawmakers spar over State House pandemic protocols during Wednesday’s session
The Maine Legislature convened on February 23 to debate several pieces of legislation,...
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Energy committee holds hearing on Gov. Mills’ utility accountability bill
The Maine Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee held a public hearing February...
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UMaine men’s hockey player leaves team over university’s strict COVID-19 policies
Emil Westerlund recently left the University of Maine’s (UMaine) men’s ice hockey team...
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New report finds nine Maine hospitals are noncompliant on federal price transparency rule
At least nine Maine hospitals are not complying with a federal price transparency...
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Legislative panel considers bills to streamline housing projects, eliminate income requirements in residential construction
The Maine Legislature’s Committee on Labor and Housing held a public hearing on...
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Governor Mills unveils $850 million supplemental budget that would lift state spending to record levels
On February 15, Gov. Janet Mills released her supplemental budget proposal, which includes...
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Gov. Mills pitches $500 relief checks, new education and broadband spending in State of the State address
During her annual State of the State address, Gov. Janet Mills announced her...
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Health committee holds hearing on bill to increase tobacco tax, impose flavor ban
The Maine Legislature’s Committee on Health and Human Services (HHS) convened on February...
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Marine Resources Committee works two bills intended to save Maine’s lobster industry from federal overreach
The Maine Legislature’s Committee on Marine Resources (MAR) met on February 8 to...
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Portland City Council votes to end mask mandate, ban flavored tobacco
The Portland City Council voted unanimously on February 7 to ban the sale...
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Gov. Mills’ earmarks $8 million for child welfare system in forthcoming supplemental budget
On February 7, Gov. Janet Mills unveiled an $8 million proposal intended to...
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Testing partnership brings rapid tests to ‘vulnerable’ Mainers using old data
In late January, Gov. Janet Mills announced her administration has partnered with The...
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Education panel endorses bill allowing Maine college athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness
The Maine Legislature will vote on a bill this session intended to protect...
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Gov. Mills unveils bill that further regulates Maine utilities, opens door to consumer ownership
On February 2, Gov. Janet Mills unveiled draft legislation intended to reform oversight...
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Maine DHHS struggling to fulfill freedom of access requests from the public
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is updating the processes...
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Legislative Council admits 12 new bills into the second session
The Legislative Council met on January 27 and considered after-deadline bill requests to...
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Truancy on the rise in Maine schools amid the pandemic
Maine’s truancy rate tripled between the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years, increasing from...
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Lawmakers sustain Mills’ veto on bill allowing farm workers to unionize
Members of the Maine Legislature’s House of Representatives failed to override Gov. Janet...
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Governor Mills to deliver State of the State address, supplemental budget to legislature next month
Maine Gov. Janet Mills will deliver the State of the State address on...
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Maine unemployment rate shows modest improvement in December
Maine’s unemployment rate decreased slightly to 4.7% in December 2021, according to a...
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Preliminary data show record overdose deaths in Maine last year
A preliminary estimate of drug-related deaths indicates 636 people died in Maine as...
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Bill to allow public employee strikes shot down by labor committee
The Maine Legislature’s Committee on Labor and Housing voted not to move LD...
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Mills administration says it will not impose state-level vaccine mandate on private employers after SCOTUS ruling
On January 13, the Supreme Court blocked enforcement of the Occupational Health and...
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New guidance allows schools with mask mandates to stop contact tracing
On January 12, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Centers...
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New guidance allows some COVID-positive workers to remain on the job in healthcare facilities
St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston has implemented a policy allowing employees who test...
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Legislature holds hearing on proposal to return unappropriated surplus revenue to taxpayers
The Maine Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee held a public hearing Wednesday...
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Democrat Jim Boyle wins special election for House District 27
The January 11 special election for House District 27, which includes parts of...
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U.S. DOE, DOT announce relaxed rules for bus drivers amid omicron surge, labor shortage
On January 10, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and U.S. Department of...
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Gov. Mills vetoes bill allowing farm workers to unionize
On January 7, Gov. Janet Mills vetoed LD 151, a bill that would...
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With the new year comes another increase to Maine’s minimum wage
On January 1, Maine’s minimum wage increased to $12.75 per hour. The increase...
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Lawmakers pass resolution to start Second Session work remotely, will revisit decision next month
The second session of the 130th Maine Legislature began on January 5, with...
