AUGUSTA — Many Maine employers would be prohibited from considering an applicant’s credit history when making hiring decisions, under a bill that lawmakers will begin examining this week. Rep. Scott Hamann, whose proposal will be examined by a legislative committee Wednesday, says credit checks often creates a “catch-22” because it prevents people who’ve struggled financially […]
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LePage starts work on bill to eliminate Maine income tax
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is drawing a line in the sand on killing Maine’s income tax. In a letter sent to legislative leaders from both parties on Monday, LePage revealed that he’s filed preliminary paperwork on a bill (LR 1983, “Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Eliminate the Income Tax,”) to […]
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Powdered alcohol creator faces possible ban in Maine, other states
AUGUSTA — The creator of powdered alcohol is furiously trying to fend off efforts to ban the product in Maine and across the country before it even hits stores. After winning federal approval last month, Palcohol founder Mark Phillips is preparing to soon begin selling the powder, which makes vodka and rum drinks or cocktails […]
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Maine immigrants speak out against welfare reform bills
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee listened to more than four hours of testimony Wednesday on a half dozen bills sponsored by state Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, aimed at making major changes to the state’s welfare and General Assistance programs. Among other things, Brakey’s bills would make those who have […]
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Maine legislator withdraws ‘religious freedom’ bill
AUGUSTA — A Republican Maine senator says he’s withdrawing his “religious freedom” bill that’s similar to proposals that have caused protests in other states. Sen. David Burns said Wednesday that he doesn’t believe his proposal would get a fair hearing in the Legislature. He says that opponents and the media have “poisoned the well of […]
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Brakey proposes 6-month hold on welfare for new Mainers
AUGUSTA — A Republican state senator is renewing an effort to require that Medicaid and welfare applicants live in Maine for at least six months before receiving benefits even though the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down similar restrictions in other states. Sen. Eric Brakey, co-chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, said he […]
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Lisbon, Dixfield legislators co-sponsor religious freedom bill
Just a housekeeping note: Sen. David Burns’ “Act to Enact the Preservation of Religious Freedom Act” has been printed and given an LD number — 1340. The text of the bill is the same as I reported last week. ICYMI, the bill is nearly identical in substance to the controversial religious freedom law passed recently […]
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Maine considers bill that would ban vaping in public places
AUGUSTA — While the electronic cigarette industry continues to boom, Maine lawmakers must decide whether to include the products in the state’s no-smoking law for restaurants, bars, parks and other public areas. While numbers for Maine are unavailable, the e-cigarette industry has burst open in recent years and is expected to reach $3.5 billion this […]
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Rotundo bill wants Maine to study state workers’ salary data
AUGUSTA — A proposal by an influential Democratic lawmaker to study why some state agencies are understaffed could lead to better pay for state workers if the proposal manages to survive votes in the Legislature and the veto pen of Gov. Paul LePage. Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, House chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, told fellow […]
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Bill seeks to tax PAC-to-PAC transfers in Maine
AUGUSTA — The top Republican in the state Senate is offering a bill that would charge political action committees in Maine a fee for transferring large amounts of money between one another. The bill, LD 1192, offered by state Senate President Mike Thibodeau, R-Winterport, is the latest in a list of about a dozen bills […]