Maine lawmakers agreed to pay for more public defenders and make it easier for judges to appoint attorneys to cases where defendants can’t afford their own. Gov. Janet Mills now has 10 days to act.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Four Jay residents seek 2 seats on the Spruce Mountain school board
The town election will be held April 29.
Jared Golden backs Republican bill to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote
Critics of the bill, including U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, said it will make it harder for some people to vote, especially those who have changed their names.
Gov. Mills urges Maine people not to support budget veto effort
Democrats said the petition drive could force a government shutdown even if voters end up rejecting it in a referendum, but Republicans said that could be averted if Democrats agree to negotiate a new budget.
Angus King, Susan Collins press Trump nominee over his involvement in Signal chat controversy
Joseph Kent, nominated to be the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, was one of the members of the unsecured conversation about a counterterrorism attack that has prompted calls for investigations.
Bill would allow people to register their cars in Maine without a permanent address
The Maine Department of the Secretary of State supports the bill, saying an increasing number of people are being turned away from their municipality over the issue.
Maine House Republicans fall short of repealing ban on paramilitary activities
The ban was enacted last year amid reports that a neo-Nazi group was planning to establish a training camp in northern Maine.
Secretary of state issues language for people’s veto of Maine state budget
Supporters of the veto, led by Republican Rep. Gary Drinkwater, have until June 18 to collect enough signatures to pause implementation of the budget and send it to voters.
Pingree to hold in-person town halls as more constituents demand to meet with lawmakers
The Democrat, who represents the solidly blue 1st District, is the only member of Maine’s congressional delegation to schedule a town hall since President Donald Trump returned to office.
Jay voters to consider proposed $6.7 million budget on April 29
The proposed spending plan for 2025-26 is $607,542.36, or 9.88% more than the current budget, and it is estimated that voters will raise about $14,000 less for town services than last year.