Placeholder bills buy time to finalize details of legislation, but some significant and controversial proposals are only revealed at the last minute.
Times Record News
Posted inLocal & State, Morning Sentinel, News
Increasingly early ice-outs on Maine waters open up new environmental problems, experts say
As Maine wraps up one of its warmest winters in recorded history, lakes and ponds across the state are seeing ice-outs earlier than ever. Experts say that’s affecting everything from algae to moose.
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Feds announce 2 million-acre site in Gulf of Maine for offshore floating wind project
The selected wind energy area is 80% smaller than originally planned and federal energy officials say it avoids conflicts with lobster fishing and North Atlantic right whale habitat. Maine lobstermen say another area where right whales have been seen remains in the designated area.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Schools and Education
Service workers at Maine’s 7 community colleges say system is stalling negotiations
The union is demanding wage increases for the 165 employees currently working under a contract that expired in July 2023.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Maine regulators might let utilities report surges in power use as way to identify illegal cannabis grows
Versant Power, which calls illegal marijuana operations an ‘escalating problem,’ proposed the change to allow it, CMP and other utilities to disclose confidential customer information to law enforcement when there is ‘good faith belief’ of a crime.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Local & State, Maine Crime, News
Skowhegan man who crashed through Augusta State Airport gate sentenced
Corey Adams was sentenced to pay more than $18,000 in restitution for damage to airport gate, police cruiser window he damaged at the time of his arrest December 2022 arrest.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Advocates rally at Maine State House for rent relief, shelter funding
The demonstration Wednesday came as lawmakers are negotiating budget proposals, including funding for a bill that would establish a pilot program for eviction prevention.
Posted inElections, Local & State, Politics
Effort to elect presidents using popular vote gains ground in Maine
The Maine Senate votes in support of a multistate plan to sidestep the Electoral College by pledging to support presidential candidates who win the national popular vote.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Lawmakers take up gun bills, focus on waiting periods, background checks
The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee holds a work session on a series of bills that include a proposal from Gov. Janet Mills to expand background checks and update the state’s yellow flag law.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
New managers of Freeport shopping center see opportunity to add restaurants, breweries
The investors who have been behind Freeport Village Station since it opened in 2009 have hired a Boston-based real estate management group to oversee the large downtown shopping center after they purchased the property for $20 million.