The Judiciary Committee votes 6-6 on 2 bills that would cut state funding to schools that allow transgender athletes to participate in girls sports, and narrowly rejects a third bill.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Maine Sen. Collins questions Secretary of State Rubio about cuts to global health programs
Marco Rubio testified before 2 Senate committees on Tuesday, while Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was back before a budget subcommittee.
Rep. Laurel Libby regains right to vote in House from Supreme Court
The nation’s highest court sides with the Republican lawmaker who was blocked from voting after she identified a transgender student athlete in a critical social media post.
Jared Golden plans to stay in Congress, won’t run for governor or Senate
The centrist Democrat from Lewiston says he is focused on winning a 5th term representing Maine’s more conservative 2nd District in order to help his party retake the House in 2026.
Maine lawmakers to consider beefed-up gun storage rules in effort to prevent accidental injuries, deaths
The debate over LD 1120 comes after a 4-year-old Lewiston boy died this weekend in a shooting, the latest tragedy of its kind in Maine.
Advocates urge lawmakers to ban Maine police from cooperating with ICE
The proposals come as the Department of Homeland Security is working to expand its partnerships with local law enforcement agencies to carry out mass deportations.
Troy Jackson announces run for Maine governor
Jackson, a Democrat from Allagash who served 20 years in the Maine Legislature, said in March that he was exploring a possible run for the office.
Some Maine criminal records would automatically be sealed under bill before Legislature
Supporters say it’s about time. Opponents want to see more research, and say the bill contradicts findings of a recent committee that recommended further study.
Maine’s public transportation options are limited. Lawmakers would like to change that.
Public transit options currently meet only about 11% of the state’s total transportation needs, according to a recent report.
Maine congressional leaders slam Trump’s plan to accept $400M plane from Qatar
U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, Angus King, U.S. Rep. Jared Golden and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said Trump’s plan to accept a luxury jet from Qatar presents a national security threat and would likely require massive investments before it could be used.