AUGUSTA— Maine agricultural officials say they support easing license requirements for some dairy farmers who sell raw milk directly to consumers. The Legislature is considering two bills that would loosen regulatory requirements on raw milk. The Portland Press Herald reports the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry quality assurance and regulations director Ronald Dyer […]
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Maine minimum wage: Union workers lobby lawmakers for increase
AUGUSTA — Union workers are calling on lawmakers to support measures they say will improve wages and tackle economic inequality in Maine. About 200 workers packed the halls of the State House on Thursday to lobby lawmakers to raise the $7.50 per hour minimum wage and ensure that employees have predictable schedules. They’re also urging […]
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Willette says he won’t resign over Facebook post
UPDATED 2:43 P.M.: AUGUSTA — A state senator said Wednesday that he has no intention of resigning over a series of offensive Facebook posts, including one that suggests President Barack Obama’s family members are part of the Islamic State group. The Maine Democratic Party has called on Republican Sen. Michael Willette to step down over what […]
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Maine House of Representatives OKs microbead ban
AUGUSTA — The Democratic-controlled Maine House has given final approval to a bill that would ban the sale of synthetic plastic microbeads in personal care products. The House voted 145-1 on Tuesday to send the bill to the Senate. Microbeads are non-biodegradable plastic particles that are used as exfoliants in facial cleansers and soaps. Environmentalists […]
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Maine DIFW submits bill putting bats on endangered list
PORTLAND — A bill that would add two bat species decimated by white nose syndrome to Maine’s endangered species list was submitted to the state legislature on Tuesday. The state Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife wants to add the northern long-eared bat and little brown bat to the endangered list. Cave counts of the two […]
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Maine switchblade ban: Legislative panel endorses repeal
AUGUSTA — A proposal to repeal the state’s ban on switchblades cleared its first legislative hurdle Monday and is headed for a vote in the Maine House of Representatives. The bill, LD 264, won the unanimous approval of lawmakers on the Public Safety Committee on Monday. Rep. Joel Stetkis, R-Canaan — the bill’s sponsor — […]
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Maine committee reviews bills to protect farm animals from fireworks
AUGUSTA — A bill making it easier for law enforcement to charge people who are using fireworks without regard for their neighbors or neighborhoods gained surprising support from a Maine fireworks retailer Monday. Sponsored by state Sen. Chris Johnson, D-Somerville, LD 302, which aims to make it clear in state law that a person using […]
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Maine lawmakers consider blocking administration attempt at adding keno
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers from both political parties are trying to prevent Gov. Paul LePage’s administration from bringing keno to Maine this spring, arguing Monday that such a significant expansion of gambling requires legislative approval. A bill before the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee seeks to halt the lottery commission’s plans to join 15 states that offer […]
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Rotundo: LePage budget ‘shreds’ mental health safety net
AUGUSTA — The Democratic House chairwoman of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee says the governor’s budget would “shred” Maine’s safety net for people with mental illnesses. State Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, said in a statement late Thursday that a proposal by Gov. Paul LePage’s administration that would reduce by 10 percent the Medicaid reimbursement rates for […]
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Legislative panel votes to keep Maine’s seat belt law
AUGUSTA — A legislative committee has dealt a blow to an effort to roll back the state’s seat belt law. The Transportation Committee on Friday unanimously rejected Auburn Republican Sen. Eric Brakey’s bill to allow people older than 17 to not wear their seatbelts. Brakey says the seatbelt mandate is government overreach, but his effort […]