AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine House and Senate cast final votes Thursday to enact a measure to restore $40 million of state funding assistance to municipalities in 2015. The House voted 120-17 in favor of the measure. Shortly thereafter, the Senate passed the bill without a roll call. The bill now heads to Gov. Paul […]
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Legislature overrides veto of summer lunch bill
AUGUSTA — A bill designed to encourage school districts to host summer nutrition programs for needy students will go into law after the House of Representatives voted Thursday to override a veto by Gov. Paul LePage, who called it an “ irresponsible unfunded mandate” even though the program is supported with federal funds. The bill’s […]
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Maine GOP accuses House speaker of having conflict of interest
AUGUSTA — A group of Republican lawmakers is pressuring House Speaker Mark Eves, D-North Berwick, to recuse himself and his staff from advocating for Medicaid expansion under the federal Affordable Care Act because of Eves’ job with a mental health care provider that accepts Medicaid patients and holds Medicaid-funded contracts. A group of Republicans, led […]
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Bill would make overdose treatment drug widely available in Maine
AUGUSTA — A freshman lawmaker on Wednesday will make the case to put a lifesaving drug that can stop heroin overdoses in their tracks “in the hands of as many people as possible.” Rep. Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, will present LD 1686, An Act to Address Preventable Deaths from Drug Overdose, to the Legislature’s Health and Human […]
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Maine Senate approves revenue sharing bill, 33-2
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers in both the House and Senate on Tuesday voted again to support a bill that would restore $40 million in state aid to municipalities next year, setting the stage for what will likely be final votes in both chambers next week. The vote in the House took place without debate or roll […]
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Maine House OKs bill that allows uniformed recruiters in schools
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Democratic-controlled House has given final approval to a bill that aims to ensure that military members and public safety officials can wear their uniforms when visiting schools. Supporters of the bill approved on a 138-4 vote Tuesday have pointed to instances in which military recruiters were limited from meeting with students or […]
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Maine Senate overrides summer lunch program veto
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s Democratic-controlled Senate voted Tuesday to preserve a measure that seeks to provide more free lunches to low-income children during the summer months. The 25-10 vote overrode Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s veto, which requires the support of two-thirds present and voting lawmakers to be overturned. The legislation requires schools with a majority […]
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After strong debate, Maine House votes to support revenue sharing bill
AUGUSTA — After a bitter floor debate, a measure to restore $40 million of state funding to Maine cities and towns advanced Thursday after a 114-21 preliminary vote in the House of Representatives. Republicans used procedural moves four times in attempts to delay a vote on the bill or send it back to committee for […]
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Maine House votes 114-21 in favor of revenue sharing bill
UPDATED 1:25 P.M.: LD 1762 advances in the Maine House after a 114-21 vote. AUGUSTA – A bill meant to restore $40 million in state revenue sharing for cities and towns will go before the Maine House of Representatives today. The bill, LD 1762, was approved by the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee earlier this week on […]
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State committee looks to clarify ‘narrow network’ health plans
AUGUSTA — A bill before the Legislature aims to protect health insurance consumers by requiring more upfront disclosure on whether a new plan will cover a patient’s current doctor and medical facilities. Co-sponsored by state Sens. Dawn Hill, D-Cape Neddick, and Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, the bill, LD 1629, would make sure consumers and health care […]