AUGUSTA (AP) — A Maine Democratic lawmaker and other health officials are seeking to introduce a bill that would eliminate the state’s non-medical exemption for vaccinations. State Rep. Ralph Tucker says the non-medical exemption has a risk of impacting “herd immunity,” where a high rate of vaccinations prevents the spread of disease to persons who […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine towns will make another push for local option taxes in the Legislature
The Maine Legislature will consider a bill next year that would allow Maine cities and towns to levy their own local-option sales taxes. With Democrats in control of the Legislature, the idea is likely to win more support than in previous sessions, when local-option tax proposals have been beaten back. But the bill still faces […]
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
Recount confirms Handy winner in Lewiston House race
AUGUSTA — Lewiston Democrat James Handy was confirmed the winner of the House District 58 race by the Maine Secretary of State’s Office, following a recount of ballots. Handy and Republican Denise Hurilla were separated by 43 votes before the recount. After the recount, Handy lost four votes while Hurilla gained 1, confirming Handy’s victory. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Campaign to become Maine's attorney general is almost invisible
AUGUSTA — Voters across the country typically choose an attorney general in a statewide election that’s sometimes bitterly contested because the post is often a stepping stone to higher office. In Maine, though, the electorate is a lot smaller: the 186 members of the state Legislature. So there aren’t any annoying television commercials, mean-spirited mailers […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
'Big, bold things' on tap for Democrats in Augusta, Nate Libby says
LEWISTON — With his former dog sitter likely to be the city’s next member of Congress, his party soon to control both the state House and state Senate, and a Democratic governor soon to take office, state Sen. Nate Libby is pretty darn happy. In the wake of Tuesday’s successful election for Democrats in Maine, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Democrats now control both houses of Maine Legislature
Democrats gained control of the Maine Legislature on Tuesday, increasing their majority in the House of Representatives and recapturing a decisive majority in the Senate. Top Democrats said they would use their majority to take action on several key issues, including funding Medicaid expansion, keeping $160 million in school funding in place and addressing the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine bans projecting political messages on State House
AUGUSTA — Legislative leaders voted Thursday to prohibit political messages from being projected onto the Maine State House in what they said was an effort to maintain the Capitol as a “neutral institution of democracy.” Projecting images or messages onto buildings is becoming increasingly common in Maine and nationally as activists seek to make splashy, highly […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
State denies teaching credentials to former Democratic lawmaker accused of inappropriate behavior
A former Westbrook lawmaker who resigned his seat amid allegations he engaged in inappropriate relationships with female students can no longer teach, coach or work in a school environment now that state officials have refused to renew his credential. The State Department of Education denied Dillon Bates’ renewal request on the basis of sexual harassment […]
Posted inMaine
The battle for dominance in the Maine Legislature could come down to a handful of races
AUGUSTA — Voter reaction to two politicians not even on the ballot in 2018 – Gov. Paul LePage and President Trump – could play heavily in determining which party controls the Maine Legislature for the next two years. Power at the State House is currently split near evenly, with the Republicans holding a one-seat majority […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Winthrop legislator who was burned opens House session
AUGUSTA — A state lawmaker who was injured seriously earlier this summer ended the 128th Maine Legislature on a high note. Not only is Rep. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, healed from the burns he suffered in a farming accident in July, but he also hit some high notes Thursday morning while singing the national anthem to […]