A group including 2 Republican lawmakers has argued that legislative leaders violated the state constitution by passing a party-line budget and then calling a special session to finish other work. But an assistant attorney general told the court the process was lawful.
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
Lawmakers on budget committee move to fund dozens of additional bills
The bills ‘moved off the table’ still require final approval from lawmakers, who meet again Friday, before they can be sent to Gov. Janet Mills.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics, Schools and Education
College graduations begin in Maine even as protests disrupt ceremonies around the U.S.
Protests have mostly been small and peaceful on Maine campuses, where students have joined the call to end to the war in Gaza and for their schools to divest from defense funds.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Opponents of waiting period on gun purchases vow to challenge law in court
Critics of the new law hope to block it in court, saying it is unconstitutional. Supporters of the waiting period are confident it would be upheld.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
In a historic legislative session, some big reforms for Maine still fell short
Some approved legislation still awaits action by the governor, and lawmakers will return for at least one more day to address vetoes.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Mills vetoes bill restructuring income tax brackets
The bill aimed to reduce the tax burden for middle-income residents while also raising taxes on the wealthy, but Gov. Janet Mills said it would not provide meaningful relief and could create challenges for state budgeting.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Mills signs bill to expand background checks for gun purchases, update ‘yellow flag’ law
The newly signed law, which the governor proposed in the wake of the Lewiston mass shooting, expands requirements for background checks to include private, advertised sales and also updates the existing yellow flag law.
Posted inLocal & State
Maine State Police investigate fatal crash on Maine Turnpike in Wells
A 53-year-old woman from Albion was killed in the 4-vehicle pileup that brought southbound traffic to a standstill Friday morning.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Lawmakers, advocates at odds with Mills over right to sue in farmworker minimum wage bill
The bill, which the governor introduced, is unlikely to overcome her veto after lawmakers amended the legislation to allow farmworkers to be able to sue their employers for violations.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
With dozens of bills unfunded, Maine lawmakers consider whether to meet again
The appropriations committee is estimated to have as much as $11 million that still could be allocated, but it’s unclear if it will meet again and if lawmakers could then act on the bills that get approved.