Many of the bills advanced by the budget committee either had nominal costs or had their funding reduced, as nearly 300 bills, totalling more than $2 billion in spending over 2 years, competed for only $5 million funding.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Lawmakers OK additional $3M for reproductive health care
The additional funding approved by the Legislature’s budget committee still needs to be supported by the Senate and signed by Gov. Mills.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Sen. King calls for investigation into canceled contracts impacting veterans
King and Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut are asking the VA Office of Inspector General to look into the Trump administration’s cancellation of hundreds of contracts.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine Sen. Rick Bennett announces run for governor as an independent
The longtime Republican lawmaker is unenrolling from the party as he launches his campaign to succeed Gov. Janet Mills.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Gov. Mills has begun issuing vetoes. How aggressive will she be?
Mills vetoed bills to prohibit the taking of tribal lands through eminent domain, strengthen workplace protections for farmworkers and to entitle more people to state-funded legal defense services.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers in Congress respond to US strike on Iran
While Sen. Susan Collins called the attack ‘necessary’ to head off a broader conflict, and Rep. Jared Golden supported the president’s action, Sen. Angus King and Rep. Chellie Pingree questioned the decision to act without consulting Congress.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Nearly 400 new Maine laws passed this session. More are coming.
Lawmakers have largely concluded their work for the year, though they are expected to return to Augusta this week to make funding decisions on remaining bills.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
What the public lands fight means for Maine
The state won’t be spared in the political fight over the future of federal lands as the Trump administration looks to offset tax and spending cuts by slashing conservation programs, opening areas to resource extraction and laying off park staff.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Nation & World, News, Politics
Changes to energy tax credits could raise Maine’s electricity costs
Congress is weighing the early termination of handful of tax credits related to installing solar panels, shifting to electric vehicles and building more energy efficient homes.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Rep. Libby’s attempt to speak on votes missed due to censure sparks debate in Maine House
The Auburn Republican’s bid to read her votes into the record came as lawmakers were finishing up their work for the year.