AUGUSTA — An effort to make the Labrador retriever Maine’s official state dog has been dealt a blow by the Senate. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 24-10 in favor of killing the bill that was introduced by Democratic Sen. David Dutremble of Biddeford. The State and Local Government Committee voted 9-2 against the bill last month. […]
legislature
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Lewiston lawmaker helps lead charge for bill on standardized test opt-out
AUGUSTA — A Lewiston lawmaker is helping lead the charge on a bill that would make it easier for parents to keep their children from taking standardized tests in public schools. State. Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, said Thursday the bill he’s c0-sponsored with state Rep. Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, is simple and straightforward and makes it […]
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Posted inBusiness
Maine minimum wage increase, right-to-work proposals face resistance in Legislature
AUGUSTA — Increasing the wage for the state’s lowest-paid workers is on the agenda for Democrats in the Legislature, and Republicans are likely to counter with right-to-work legislation that will be a nonstarter for the pro-union House majority. On Wednesday, rookie state Rep. Gina Melaragno, D-Auburn, offered a proposal that would increase the state’s minimum […]
Posted inNews
Liquor inspector tells lawmakers pint law would be impossible to enforce
AUGUSTA — The state’s top liquor inspector told lawmakers Wednesday that legislation to ensure a pint of beer contains 16 ounces would be impossible to enforce. Time-crunched and scrambling to crack down on more serious crimes, Gregory Mineo, director of the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations, told legislators that inspectors would be overburdened if tasked with […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislator aims to tighten Maine’s household chemical rules
AUGUSTA — A Maine legislator wants to require the state to include products that threaten the health of pregnant women when it sets rules about potentially toxic products. Rep. Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, says her bill would tighten state laws about such products. She and a group of environmental and health advocates say the bill is […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
UMaine System chancellor pitches LePage budget to lawmakers
AUGUSTA — The chancellor of the University of Maine System is calling on lawmakers to support increased funding for its schools in Gov. Paul LePage’s budget. Chancellor James Page addressed a joint session of the Legislature on Tuesday. He says that LePage is proposing the biggest new investment that the system has seen in years. […]
Posted inMaine
Maine legislators consider repeal of law prohibiting switchblades
AUGUSTA — State lawmakers are considering a bill that would repeal the prohibition on so-called “switchblade” and “Stiletto” knives. Supporters of the change said many knives, which were never intended to be prohibited by the decades-old law, are increasingly being targeted by law enforcement. On Monday, state Rep. Joel Stetkis, R-Canaan, was carrying a lockbox […]
Posted inMaine
Lawmakers seek reform for Maine’s Clean Election law
AUGUSTA — A stack of bills aimed at cleaning up Maine’s Clean Election finance law holds the potential to rankle political leaders on both sides of the aisle. State Rep. Justin Chenette, D-Saco, said he knows leadership is displeased with his efforts to stop candidates who are seeking state office from also running political action […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lawmakers to consider Brakey bill lifting seat belt requirement
AUGUSTA — A bill that would lift the requirement that adults wear seat belts in Maine encountered head-on resistance Friday from advocates who argued on behalf of their life- and money-saving attributes. Maine’s law mandating seat belts has evolved since 1983, when it required children from birth to age 4 to be in a child […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage wants bill to restrict AG’s control of settlement funds
AUGUSTA — Republican Gov. Paul LePage says he’s introducing a bill to limit the powers of the attorney general when it comes to spending settlement money. LePage said it’s inappropriate that Attorney General Janet Mills has given herself sole discretion to spend Maine’s $21.5 million settlement with Standard and Poor’s. LePage said his bill “clarifies […]