Lawmakers heard nearly 6 hours of testimony on the proposal, which faces an uphill battle requiring two-thirds support in both the House and Senate in order to be sent to voters.
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Posted inLocal & State
Maine lawmakers call for global treaty to curb fossil fuel use, slow climate change
House members split along party lines, with majority Democrats passing a resolution in support of a global fossil fuel treaty despite the opposition of Republicans.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Advocates call for decriminalizing drug possession, but Mills administration strongly opposes bill
Supporters argue that substance use and addiction should be treated as public health issues, not as crimes, but officials warn of unintended consequences.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers split on party lines over bill to allow lawsuits against gunmakers, sellers
The bill is the first piece of gun safety legislation to receive a committee vote since the Oct. 25 shootings in Lewiston that killed 18 people and wounded 13.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Gov. Mills asks Legislature to create new state office for immigrants
The Office of New Americans would help asylum seekers and other immigrants integrate into the workforce and community.
Posted inLocal & State
Momentum builds for standalone child welfare department
Service providers argue that having a cabinet official advocating for child welfare could lead to more resources for mental health, substance use and behavioral health.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Appointment to state board stalls in Legislature following concerns from mining opponents
The Maine Senate returned a nomination for the Land Use Planning Commission to a legislative committee Thursday, days after opponents of the Wolfden Chase Mt. mining proposal urged the committee to require that the nominee recuse himself from an upcoming vote.
Posted inLocal & State
Senate confirms first woman to lead Maine National Guard
Diane L. Dunn was confirmed in a 33-1 vote Thursday and follows Maj. Gen. Douglas Farnham, who is retiring.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Tribal leaders urge passage of gambling bills, new state office
They say that a slate of bills that include proposals to allow them to expand their operations to include casinos and create an office of tribal relations in state government will help foster economic development in rural areas.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine Democrats will seek constitutional protection for abortion rights
Abortion advocates are going to push for the constitutional amendment months after narrowly winning a bruising legislative battle to expand access to the procedure later in pregnancy.