Whether it’s moving forward with a voter-approved expansion of Medicaid or vowing to put solar panels on the lawn of the governor’s mansion, Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, with the help of strong Democratic majorities in the Legislature, has moved quickly to unwind much of the policy agenda put in place by her Republican predecessor, Paul LePage.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Posted inHealth, News, Politics
Religious exemption to vaccination creates a potential loophole
A day after the Maine Senate’s passage of a bill preserving the exemption, faith leaders and others say no major religious organizations oppose vaccinations to prevent infectious diseases.
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Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Bill would provide representation for animals in abuse cases
L.D. 1442 would allow courts to appoint law students or volunteer lawyers to advocate in animal cruelty proceedings.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Advocates push lawmakers to form panel to review deaths of disabled Mainers
The proposal is a response to a 2017 federal report that faulted the DHHS for failing to investigate more than 130 deaths or report serious injuries involving developmentally disabled Mainers.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics, Schools and Education
Waterville appeals board upholds rights of Colby students to vote in city
The Voter Registration Appeals Board ruled unanimously that 66 voters whose registrations were challenged were valid on the basis that they had taken oaths of residency and provided proof of physical address.
Posted inNation & World, News, Politics
Rhode Island lawmaker wants towns to become ‘Second Amendment sanctuaries’
A Rhode Island lawmaker is asking towns to declare themselves “Second Amendment sanctuaries” to oppose the governor’s push for stricter gun control laws.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
State, Washington County agree to build pre-release center on Downeast prison grounds
The new center will replace the minimum-security prison that closed last year, under an agreement struck by Gov. Janet Mills and lawmakers.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Here’s how the Maine Senate voted on the vaccine exemption bill
In a 20-15 vote, the Maine State Senate passed a bill ending most exemptions from childhood vaccination requirements. But in a subsequent vote, four Democrats, whose names are in bold, joined Republicans in supporting an amendment that would preserve a religious exemption. Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester………………… Y Russell Black, R-Wilton…………………………….N Catherine Breen, D-Falmouth……………………Y Michael Carpenter, D-Houlton…………………..Y […]
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Gov. Janet Mills issues her first veto
The governor rejects a bill to prohibit the sale of fuel products that contain more than 10% ethanol.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Senate passes bill that keeps religious exemptions to vaccines but clashes with House bill
The version that won initial approval in the Senate on Thursday would eliminate only philosophical exemptions to school-required vaccinations.