A proposal for a new Department of Child and Family Services wins strong support in the Maine Senate amid efforts to reform the state’s troubled child welfare system, but the Mills administration wants the idea studied first.
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 inMaine, Politics
Maine House advances bill giving Wabanaki tribes more say over prosecution of crimes
The bill would expand tribes’ authority over certain crimes that occur on their land while the state would continue to maintain jurisdiction over the most serious offenses.
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Posted inMaine, Politics
Legislature moves to delay referendum on Maine state flag until 2026
A bill passed by both the House of Representatives and Senate would change the referendum date from this fall to November 2026 and establish a commission to assist the secretary of state in approving the design of the flag.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Constitutional right to abortion falls short of needed support in first vote by Maine Senate
A majority of senators voted in favor of L.D. 780 and it faces more votes, but the bill failed to meet the two-thirds majority that would ultimately be needed to send the measure to voters.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, Politics
Maine lawmakers support sealing past marijuana convictions – but not automatically
The proposal would allow convictions for marijuana cultivation and possession crimes committed prior to legalization to be eligible for sealing by a judge.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Committee endorses $30 million bond to support Maine trails
The proposal needs two-thirds support in both the House of Representatives and Senate in order to be sent to voters in November.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, Politics
Committee advances proposal to raise minimum wage for Maine farmworkers
The Committee on Labor and Housing passed an amended version of Gov. Janet Mills’ bill to raise the minimum wage for farmworkers to $14.15 per hour, the same rate as that for other workers.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime, Politics
Maine lawmakers scrap bill to decriminalize drug possession; opt for study instead
The original proposal sought to treat substance use as a public health issue and would have set up receiving centers to help people dealing with a crisis.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Committee backs expanded background checks, waiting period for gun purchases
The Judiciary Committee also will soon take up a last-minute bill that would put in place ‘an improved crisis intervention order’ for restricting access to firearms when people are deemed to be a threat.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Divided committee supports study of program to voluntarily waive gun rights
The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee tabled three other gun-related bills during a work session Thursday and will take them up again at a later date.