A ruling that weakened a key part of the Voting Rights Act is spurring lawmakers in several states to enact state-level protections to plug gaps that the courts opened in the landmark federal law.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
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.
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Posted inNation & World, Politics
Trump allies in Congress already support ideas on deportations, Jan. 6 pardons
The Republican Party in Congress is undergoing a massive political realignment toward Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
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 inElections, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Politics
Jared Golden said he’s not worried about Trump’s endorsement of opponent
Former president backed Republican Austin Theriault’s bid for Maine’s 2nd District seat.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Gov. Mills proposes more spending on housing, child care, nursing homes
The budget proposal is in response to the latest forecast for higher-than-anticipated tax revenues.
Posted inNation & World, News, Politics
Obama, Clinton and big-name entertainers help Biden raise a record $26 million for reelection
President Biden himself went straight at Donald Trump, saying his expected Republican rival’s ideas were ‘a little old and out of shape.’
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 inElections, Maine, Politics
Susan Collins won’t vote for Trump: ‘I don’t think it should surprise anyone’
Maine’s senior senator said she doesn’t know how she will vote in November, rejecting both President Biden and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as well as the Republican frontrunner.
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.