The proposal from Rep. Grayson Lookner, D-Portland, would decriminalize the possession of one ounce or less of psilocybin for adults over age 21.
Rachel Ohm
Staff Writer
Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. It’s her third beat at the paper after stints covering City Hall and education. Prior to her arrival at the Press Herald in the summer of 2019, Rachel worked at the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, covering Franklin and Somerset counties, and the Knoxville News Sentinel in Knoxville, Tennessee, covering higher education. She has a master’s degree in journalism from New York University and when she’s not writing and reporting enjoys running, cooking and traveling to new places.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Hourslong hearing highlights continuing tension over Maine abortion laws
Residents opposed to abortion urged lawmakers to roll back laws that expanded access in Maine and called on the Legislature to pass a bill criminalizing abortion even after the sponsor said she no longer supported it.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine officials refuse to sign Trump agreement on transgender athletes
The Maine Principals’ Association and Greely High School said it would violate Maine law for them to sign the agreement requiring the barring of transgender athletes.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Gun control debate returns to Maine State House as lawmakers take up new bills
Lawmakers heard proposals for banning bump stocks and other rapid-fire devices, prohibiting untraceable ‘ghost guns’ and easing Maine’s concealed carry law.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Republicans file for people’s veto of budget as lawmakers begin special session
Tensions linger as the Maine Legislature returns to Augusta on Tuesday to start the next phase of budget work.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Julia Lipez confirmed as Maine’s newest state supreme court justice
The Senate’s confirmation of Lipez to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court fills a yearlong vacancy on the state’s highest court.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine bill would allow doctors to keep their names off prescription labels for abortion pill
The proposal comes as advocates have noted an increase in threats against abortion providers in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine homeless advocates, emergency shelters call for more state funding
A bill before lawmakers would raise funding for shelters by $5 million, but the Mills administration has said it can’t identify revenues to support it.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics, Schools and Education
White House giving Maine 10 days to comply with transgender ruling
The federal DHHS says the state is in violation of Title IX and must accept a proposed resolution, which includes returning federal funding and retraining staff, or risk referral to the Justice Department ‘for appropriate action.’
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine Democrats move to adopt partial budget, with or without Republicans
Democrats have brought forward a ‘continuing services’ budget to fund MaineCare and other core government functions; it advanced out of committee Friday and will go to the full Legislature.