Hearings on bills to overturn restrictive provisions of the historic 1980 land claims settlement acts with Maine’s tribes to be held Tuesday.
legislature
Posted inLocal & State
Maine’s housing crisis is building a growing bipartisan will to find solutions
The combination of the housing crisis and the availability of federal recovery money, some think, presents a rare opportunity for leaders to come together and fix problems.
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Committee advances bill to let Maine towns collect fees on short-term rentals
The bill would let communities impose impact fees on short-term rentals that aren’t inhabited by permanent residents and use that money to support affordable housing.
Posted inElections, Local & State, News, Politics
Proposals would shift legislative districts, but critics say details are lacking
Proposals by Republicans and Democrats to redraw Maine’s 2 congressional districts and 35 state Senate districts are criticized for lacking details to show voters how boundaries would shift.
Posted inFood & Dining, Maine Gardener
‘Buy American’ isn’t just for cars or washing machines. A proposed bill applies to flowers
The American Grown Act, supported by Rep. Pingree and Sen. King, asks that the U.S. government buy U.S. blossoms.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Maine lawmakers approve landmark recycling reform bill
If signed by Gov. Janet Mills, the bill would make private companies partly responsible for the cost of disposing of packaging waste and improving the state’s recycling system.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
New statewide energy code aims for tighter buildings, lower emissions
Some worry that building contractors will have ‘a rude awakening’ with the change, which is effective July 1 and stems from bills passed in 2019.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Bill to replace CMP and Versant with consumer-owned utility gains committee approval
The Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee’s 9-2 vote, with 2 lawmakers absent, advances the bill for consideration by the full Legislature and, ultimately, Maine voters.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Direct care workers urge lawmakers to raise pay rates to combat staffing shortages
A workforce shortage and low wages have created a crisis for those who need help from direct care workers. On Monday, some workers made their case for a pay hike to the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee.
Posted inLocal & State
Come up with new safety rules, legislators tell funeral home regulators
Lawmakers said they want rules that would keep drivers safe when they are transporting bodies in Maine.