But the close 7-6 margin in committee signals the Legislature will do battle over the business-pleasing bill, which also would establish a below-minimum youth or training wage.
politics
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Lawmakers face competing bills to criminalize female genital mutilation
One of the bills, backed by Gov. Paul LePage and sponsored by Scarborough Rep. Heather Sirocki, is being promoted by ACT for America, a national anti-Muslim group.
advertisement
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
LePage taps George Gervais to lead Maine State Housing Authority
Gervais has been with the Department of Economic and Community Development since 2008.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers won’t extend moratorium on pot sales, but it’s still not for sale
Absent the state infrastructure to license retail pot, the move will have little impact on towns, a committee co-chair says.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
Tax protesters at Collins’ office won’t face trespass charges
In a deal with the prosecutor, the 9 religious leaders instead make contributions to a victims’ compensation fund.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Lawmakers delay vote on bill to establish youth wages
The controversial measure would allow employers to pay young or inexperienced workers less than the $10-an-hour minimum wage that took effect Jan. 1.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
LePage agrees to delay new, more restrictive medical marijuana rules
The governor wants to give a committee more time to resolve deficiencies in the program before implementing new caregiver and processor regulations.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Poliquin heads into re-election fight with nearly $2 million in campaign coffers
The 2nd-District Republican’s fundraising is far ahead of where it was at this point during the 2016 race.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics, Schools and Education
Federal appeals court agrees to hear Eves’ appeal of lawsuit over LePage’s action
The governor threatened to block funding for a charter school if former House Speaker Mark Eves were appointed its president. Judges previously ruled that LePage’s actions did not overstep his authority.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine attorney general joins push to let banks serve state-licensed pot businesses
Without access to traditional banking, marijuana businesses don’t have a place to deposit their money, increasing the risk of criminal activity and preventing the tracking of financial data.