The state’s U.S. senators also voice skepticism about the Republicans’ measure, which now goes to the Senate for debate.
Joe Lawlor
Staff Writer
Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people.
He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine Senate supports shift to Atlantic time, as long as voters approve
Under the Senate bill, the question would go to voters only if Massachusetts and New Hampshire also switch to Atlantic Standard Time, essentially changing to daylight saving time year-round.
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Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Mental health advocates ask lawmakers to reverse changes in state services
The advocates say it’s harder to get MaineCare treatment and support services for mental illness because of revisions the Department of Health and Human Services made in 2016.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
LePage administration program inspires key component of ACA replacement plan
Supporters say it was working well before being superseded, but critics say it wasn’t in effect long enough to assess.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine House votes to join Atlantic time zone, if New Hampshire and Massachusetts do the same
The change would put an end to resetting the clocks each spring and fall and keep Maine on the equivalent of daylight saving time year-round.
Posted inMaine, News
Bill calls for requiring Maine doctors to tell patients about opioid risks
The legislation comes as the state is in the midst of a drug overdose crisis, but a physician representative says legislators shouldn’t be practicing medicine.
Posted inMaine, News
Student’s project turned up elevated lead levels in Boothbay schools
The district has warned students and staff not to drink or cook with the water, first found to have high lead levels in testing March 30.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Advocates call for state to replenish the ranks of public health nurses
A bill with bipartisan support would require Maine to have at least 50 public health nurses, whose numbers have been cut in half by the current administration.
Posted inMaine, News
Pertussis cases spike in Maine, hit schools in Cumberland, Yarmouth
The state’s relatively low vaccination rates are a factor in the occurrence of the infectious disease, which is marked by a chronic cough and can be fatal for non-immunized infants.
Posted inBusiness, News, Politics
Speakers at hearing support limiting drug company gifts to Maine doctors
A bill seeking an annual cap of $50 seeks to end any influences on the prescribing of opioids, painkillers that are often a precursor to heroin use.