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.
Rachel Ohm
Staff Writer
Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. Itโs 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 masterโs degree in journalism from New York University and when sheโs not writing and reporting enjoys running, cooking and traveling to new places.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gov. Mills signs bill protecting providers of abortion and gender-affirming care
The proposal drew significant debate in the Legislature this session as well as opposition from out-of-state Republican attorneys general who called it ‘constitutionally defective.’
Proposal for separate child welfare department dies after Maine House fails to take action
The measure passed the Senate in a bipartisan 22-8 vote but was never taken up in the House. ‘We could have at least had the conversation,’ said the bill’s sponsor.
Gov. Mills signs $430 million supplemental budget into law
The budget bill includes funding for storm relief, investments in affordable and emergency housing, a new minimum wage for education technicians and school support staff, and more.