Democrats on the budget committee voted to increase Mills’ proposed cigarette tax increase from $1 a pack to $1.50 a pack — a move Republicans slammed as hurting low-income Mainers.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Posted inElections, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers push to expand ranked choice voting to governor’s race
The Maine Law Court issued an advisory opinion in 2017 saying the method would violate the state Constitution, but proponents say a court decision in Alaska dismantled the court’s reasoning.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Red flag hearing offers preview of Maine’s looming referendum battle
The office of Gov. Janet Mills testified against the red flag proposal, saying Maine’s existing yellow flag law is working and the requirement for a mental health evaluation is reasonable.
Posted inLocal Elections, News, Schools and Education
Despite fears, most Maine districts OK school budgets
Voters in at least 6 districts, including Kennebunk-based RSU 21 and Gray-New Gloucester, rejected their school budgets, while a long-debated Cape Elizabeth bond project and a contested Gorham budget passed.
Posted inElections, Local & State, News, Politics
Brunswick Democrat announces campaign for Susan Collins’ Senate seat
David Costello, 65, says he’s running to ‘end the Trump Administration’s and Republican Congress’s reckless assault on our democracy, environment, and economy.’
Posted inElections, Local & State, Politics
Gorham Republican enters Maine’s 2026 governor’s race
Owen McCarthy, a medical technology entrepreneur from Gorham, said he’s running to ‘rein in runaway spending,’ deliver tax relief to struggling Mainers and small businesses, and ‘crack down on illegal immigration by cooperating with federal law enforcement.’
Posted inElections, Kennebec Journal, Local & State, Local Elections, Morning Sentinel
Central Maine voters OK school budgets; Embden rejects RSU 74 withdrawal
Thousands went to the polls in central Maine on Tuesday to vote on school budgets and local elected positions.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Gov. Mills signs minimum wage for Maine agriculture workers into law
Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, said the bill is a ‘long overdue step towards justice’ for workers who are primarily Black, Brown, Latino, and Indigenous laborers who have historically been excluded from labor protections.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Proposal to protect children from online harassment and ‘doxxing’ advanced by Maine lawmakers
The bill would allow minors, or their parents or guardians, to sue a person who discloses their personal information in a way that causes them harm or to fear for their safety.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, Nation & World, Politics
Sen. Collins grills NIH director on research cuts
The Trump administration is proposing a 40% cut in the NIH for 2026, and Sen. Susan Collins said federal cutbacks are disrupting research into Alzheimer’s and other diseases.