A proposal unveiled Tuesday for a competing measure on the November ballot would make changes to the existing yellow flag law and include funding for mental health services.
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.
Maine likely to remain in compact to choose presidents based on national popular vote
The Senate voted 18-16 against having Maine leave the multistate compact it joined last year pledging to give all of its electoral votes to whichever presidential candidate wins the popular vote nationwide, if the compact is enacted.
Bills on transgender athletes in girls sports divide lawmakers in Maine House
Lawmakers in the Maine House of Representatives gave initial support to a bill to bar transgender athletes in girls sports Friday night, while also narrowly rejecting a bill that would require teams be designated male, female or coed.
Maine lawmakers give initial approval to ban on untraceable ‘ghost guns’
The bill, which would prohibit untraceable firearms and require serial numbers on firearms, advanced in a 77-70 vote in the House of Representatives and 18-17 in the Senate.
Red flag hearing offers preview of Maine’s looming referendum battle
The office of Gov. Janet Mills testified against the red flag proposal, saying Maine’s existing yellow flag law is working and the requirement for a mental health evaluation is reasonable.
Proposal to protect children from online harassment and ‘doxxing’ advanced by Maine lawmakers
The bill would allow minors, or their parents or guardians, to sue a person who discloses their personal information in a way that causes them harm or to fear for their safety.
Maine lawmakers reverse course, reject decriminalizing psychedelic mushrooms
A bill to allow possession of small amounts of psilocybin came close to passing, but was ultimately rejected by lawmakers.
Maine lawmaker injured in car crash on way to Augusta
Rep. Holly Eaton is expected to be in intensive care for the next few days because of complications following spinal surgery, according to a GoFundMe set up over the weekend.
Bill to amend medically assisted suicide law draws emotional debate from Maine lawmakers
The proposal to allow doctors to waive the waiting period for terminally ill patients to receive life-ending medication was rejected by 1 vote in the Senate after getting initial approval in the House last week.
Standoff over red flag hearing continues in Maine Legislature, may go to court
A state law passed in 2019 requires public hearings for citizen initiatives, though a hearing was never held on a 2021 proposal later approved in a referendum.