History, politics and design sensibilities collide as residents of the Pine Tree State consider which banner to embrace.
maine politics
Opponents of Maine law expanding abortion access won’t try to overturn it at ballot box
Wednesday was the deadline for initiating a so-called people’s veto initiative. Opponents say they will instead focus on electing anti-abortion lawmakers in 2024.
Gov. Mills signs bill to protect domestic abuse victims
Survivors of domestic abuse joined Gov. Mills at the State House on July 25 for a ceremonial signing of a bill to protect victims from repeat offenders.
Millions of dollars in foreign campaign funds pour into Maine as lawmakers push to ban them
Lawmakers say they will try to override Gov. Janet Mills’ veto of the foreign spending ban, but it won’t prevent foreign-owned companies from pouring money into Maine politics this fall.
Fluorescent lightbulbs, which contain mercury, are on their way out in Maine
Starting in 2026, sales of new fluorescent bulbs will be banned – though many stores already have removed the ones that used to be in wide household use. The replacements are LEDs, which are more efficient and don’t contain mercury.
State adopts $70 million plan to help farmers deal with PFAS contamination
The fund will dedicate $30.3 million in grants to get farmers back on their feet, $21.5 million in compensation for contaminated land, $7.3 million for medical needs and $11.2 million for scientific research.
Maine Legislature finally wraps up session, sends abortion bill to governor
Lawmakers voted out the last of the pending bills late Thursday, including a hard-fought bill to expand abortion access that Gov. Janet Mills is all but certain to sign into law soon.
Legislature returns to tackle veto of tribal rights bill
Lawmakers also will consider an $800 million supplemental budget, but the leadership of both parties in the House were focusing their efforts Wednesday on urging tribal bill supporters to stand by their votes in the hopes of overriding Gov. Janet Mills’ veto.
Maine Senate nixes MaineCare coverage for noncitizens
Senators rejected the bill with no debate or roll call vote, despite approval in the House of Representatives on Monday.
House and Senate endorse Mills’ abortion expansion bill, passage is likely
The House voted 73-69 to enact the bill after a contentious debate, sending the measure to the Senate for a final vote before it heads to the governor’s desk for her signature.