While some farmers support a ban on sludge spreading to protect Maine farms from forever chemicals, a group that includes farmers and wastewater treatment operators want a ‘science based approach’ to monitoring PFAS levels to avoid increased fertilizer and sewer costs.
Penelope Overton
Staff Writer
Penny Overton is excited to be the Portland Press Herald’s first climate reporter. Since joining the paper in 2016, she has written about Maine’s lobster and cannabis industries, covered state politics and spent a fellowship year exploring the impact of climate change on the lobster fishery with the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team. Before moving to Maine, she has covered politics, environment, casino gambling and tribal issues in Florida, Connecticut, and Arizona. Her favorite assignments allow her to introduce readers to unusual people, cultures, or subjects. When off the clock, Penny is usually getting lost in a new book at a local coffeehouse, watching foreign crime shows or planning her family’s next adventure.
Posted inLocal & State
Lawmakers vote to give more Maine children access to affordable healthcare
The bill would raise the income eligibility cap to 300 percent of the poverty level, waive the waiting period and premiums, and add 19- and 20-year-olds.
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Bill would double vehicle inspection fee across most of Maine
The extra revenue would help pay to convert the inspection system to a more efficient electronic one, but Gov. Janet Mills said Wednesday she would veto the bill if it reaches her desk.
Posted inLocal & State
State lawmakers want Maine courts to prioritize child murder cases
The Senate voted 33-0 to approve a bill that asks the court system to expedite child homicide cases so information about the child welfare system’s failings come to light sooner.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics, Uncategorized
Lawmakers may boost state reimbursement rates for family-planning care
A legislative panel approved a bill Friday to boost MaineCare reimbursement rates for family-planning providers.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Senate approves bill to limit ‘dark store’ tax challenges
The bill would give municipalities a way to fight off big-box retailers’ efforts to reduce their municipal tax burden.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Senate approves college debt relief for first-time homebuyers
Many could have up to $40,000 in student loan debt forgiven through a Maine State Housing Authority program.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Gov. Mills proposes payments of $850 to qualifying Mainers as she revises budget
The total amount of direct relief to individual Mainers would be increased by $100 from the governor’s previous plan.
Posted inLocal & State
Legislative panel OKs $100 million PFAS relief fund for farmers
The money could be used to cover remediation efforts, crop losses, farm buyouts and long-term health care needs.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Legislative panel approves scaled-back affordable housing bill
Housing reformers and home-rule defenders struggled to find middle ground on Maine’s affordability crisis.