The vote came after an hours-long public hearing where advocates and lawmakers urged passage of the original $473 million bill to provide emergency heating and energy relief, and rental assistance.
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Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics, Uncategorized
Lawmakers agree to public hearing on $450 emergency checks, boosting heating aid
Legislative leaders formed a committee to receive public testimony on a $473 million emergency heating and energy plan, whose centerpiece would be immediate payments to most Mainers.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Two state senators propose smaller heating aid plan
A bipartisan proposal to help Mainers afford heat and electricity this winter would drastically scale back Gov. Janet Mills’ $474 million emergency package that Senate Republicans blocked last week.
Posted inElection 2022, Politics
From big reelection win to partisan pushback, what lies ahead in Mills’ second term?
While Gov. Janet Mills didn’t get the votes she needed for an emergency heating assistance package last week, she goes into a second term with a Democratic majority in the Legislature and projected budget surpluses.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics, Uncategorized
Bill to provide heating aid and relief checks unlikely to pass before January
Citing the expedited process, Republicans in the Maine Senate blocked the emergency bill Wednesday, but it will come up again, likely when the Legislature reconvenes after the holidays.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Plan to provide heating assistance and relief checks fails in Maine Senate
Republicans in the Maine Senate rejected the bill, which fell short of getting a two-thirds majority needed to pass as emergency legislation and take effect immediately.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Rachel Talbot Ross becomes first Black speaker of Maine House
The new legislative session began on a historic note with the Portland Democrat getting sworn in 50 years after father became the state’s first Black lawmaker.
Posted inBusiness, Food & Dining, News
Maine Republicans want to strip tax benefits from businesses that boycott lobster
The lawmakers’ bill would penalize companies such as Whole Foods that refuse to buy Maine products because they don’t carry a stamp of approval from a third party.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Gov. Mills proposes $450 relief checks as part of heating assistance package
Gov. Janet Mills and legislative leaders have been trying to find agreement on a relief package that can get bipartisan approval on Wednesday, allowing the aid to be sent to struggling Mainers this winter.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Politics
Negotiations continue over heating and energy aid for Mainers
While details were not released, another round of relief checks and additional rental assistance are being contemplated, along with direct heating and energy assistance.