Several significant bills were passed by overriding vetoes from Gov. Paul LePage, but advocates say more work needs to be done, especially with Medicaid expansion.
maine legislature
Posted inMaine, News
Bill to require state institutions to buy local foods becomes law
Enacted without the governor’s signature, the law designed to support Maine’s farms and fisheries says that the state must purchase 20 percent of its food and food products locally by 2025.
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Posted inMaine, Politics
Parties seek more than 30 replacement candidates in State House races for 2018
The withdrawals among so-called “placeholder” candidates occur in every election, but this year’s candidates may not have access to Maine Clean Elections Act funding because of a so-far uncorrected legislative error.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Bills to borrow for transportation and higher education go to governor
Although voters must still sign off, the measures send a wave of relief through the construction industry, which says the road and bridge funds will support more than 3,000 jobs.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
DHHS chief says agency will call for more – and better-paid – workers to protect children from abuse
Ricker Hamilton tells lawmakers that the governor will support a bill to increase staffing, as lawmakers continue to probe the workings of the system after the beating deaths of two young girls.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
LePage veto stands, which means family can’t sue state for selling man’s home, killing his cat
The DHHS had been appointed William Dean’s guardian, and the lawsuit alleges that the agency sold his Owls Head house for below market value, allowed his Rockland home to fall into disrepair and euthanized his cat.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Lawmakers overturn 20 of governor’s 43 vetoes
A bill to increase reimbursement rates for group homes serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities is among those that became law over LePage’s objection.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Lawmakers extend controversial Pine Tree Development Zone tax breaks for three years
The development program will continue despite criticism over costs and a lack of accountability, but with better reporting on the extent of job creation.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
LePage’s veto may doom future of correctional facility
A legislative override seems iffy, so advocates of the Machiasport prison look to the next governor instead.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Bill to ban conversion therapy may lack votes to overcome LePage veto
The governor says the bill to prohibit counselors from engaging in therapy aimed at changing an underage client’s sexual orientation or gender identity could limit conversations with counselors.