AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers are examining a bill that would remove the state’s megawatt wind energy targets and replace them with goals to expand economic opportunities and lower electricity costs through wind power. The Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee will hold a public hearing Wednesday on the bill introduced by Republican Rep. Lance Harvell of […]
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House approves arms, training for Maine forest rangers
AUGUSTA — A week after it was overwhelmingly supported, then abruptly tabled pending possible amendments, a bill that would arm and train the state’s forest rangers was approved by the Maine House of Representatives Tuesday and will be sent to the Senate for debate. On Feb. 25, the House voted 139-7 for LD 297, but […]
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Appropriations Committee works on supplemental budget today
AUGUSTA — A Maine legislative panel is moving forward with its work to craft a supplemental budget without the help of Gov. Paul LePage. The Appropriations Committee will hear public testimony starting Tuesday on a range of ideas being examined to fix shortfalls in the state’s $6.3 billion, two-year budget. The hearings are expected to […]
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Committee sends Medicaid expansion to Maine Senate
AUGUSTA — A proposal by two moderate Republican senators to expand Medicaid and incorporate drastic changes in the state Medicaid program has cleared the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee and will now be taken up by the full Senate. The bill — crafted by Assistant Senate Minority Leader Roger Katz of Augusta and Sen. […]
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Lawmakers to debate Medicaid expansion today
AUGUSTA — A Maine legislative panel is once again examining a bill that would expand Medicaid under the federal health care law and make other significant changes to the state’s program. The Health and Human Services Committee will hold a work session Monday on the Medicaid expansion measure crafted by two Republican senators. The committee […]
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Maine budget committee eases forward with fix ideas for 2014 and 2015
AUGUSTA — State lawmakers on the budget-writing Appropriations Committee are gaining steady ground as they work to create a supplemental budget that will balance spending and revenues for 2014 and 2015. The Maine Constitution requires a balanced budget, and without a supplemental budget offering from Republican Gov. Paul LePage, the committee has been left largely […]
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Ethics office director says Maine House Speaker does not have conflict of interest
AUGUSTA — The head of Maine’s ethics commission says Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves’ support of a bill to expand Medicaid coverage under the federal health care law is not a conflict of interest. Jonathan Wayne, executive director of the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, says in a letter to Eves that the […]
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Maine’s chief justice supports drug courts and e-filing
AUGUSTA — Chief Justice Leigh Saufley urged lawmakers Tuesday to support the governor’s proposals to replace the court system’s outdated computer system to improve efficiency and to provide greater access to court documents. She also urged them to bolster resources to fight drug and alcohol addiction. Saufley said during her State of the Judiciary address that […]
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Maine House OKs 1-year moratorium on virtual charter schools
AUGUSTA — The Democratic-controlled Maine House has given initial approval to a bill that would put a moratorium on the creation of virtual charter schools in the state until next year. In a 94-51 vote Tuesday, the House endorsed the bill that would put a halt to virtual charter schools until the state comes up […]
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LePage has until midnight to veto $40 million revenue sharing bill
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has until midnight Tuesday to decide whether he will sign, veto or allow a bill that restores about $40 million in revenue sharing to Maine cities and towns to pass into law without his signature. The bill, which passed on veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate earlier in February, […]