State education officials are proposing a radical restructuring of Maine’s proficiency-based diploma law, which was one of the first in the nation and touted by the governor as one of his key education reforms when it passed in 2012. Six years later, Department of Education officials are proposing the elimination of a key tenet of […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Push in Maine Legislature could lead to U.S. Constitution rewrite
A pair of resolutions under consideration by the Legislature that lift much of their wording from model bills written by a secretive, corporation-funded group could help lead to a radical rewriting of the U.S. Constitution. The resolutions seek to add Maine to the list of states that have called for the convening of a constitutional […]
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Controversial bill to give BIW tax credits stalls in State House, extending foe’s food strike
AUGUSTA — A controversial proposal to provide Bath Iron Works with $60 million in tax credits remains stalled in a legislative committee even as a veteran peace activist’s “hunger strike” on the issue entered its second week. Members of the Legislature’s Taxation Committee on Tuesday delayed a vote on BIW’s request for up to $60 […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage’s bill to protect elderly from tax lien foreclosure stripped
AUGUSTA — A legislative committee on Tuesday issued a three-way report on a bill that originally sought to protect the elderly from tax lien foreclosure. The 7-3-1 “ought to pass” vote on LD 1629 followed a lengthy discussion by the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation on an amendment presented to the committee by Nick Adolphsen, senior policy […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lawmakers to decide whether to tackle gun bills
AUGUSTA – State House leaders are expected Tuesday to decide whether to allow emergency bills to boost security at public schools and ban bump stocks in Maine to move forward after a school shooter in Florida this month killed 17 people. The bills, one offered by Rep. Scott Hamann, D-South Portland, and the other offered […]
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New bills would require Maine officials to show up for meetings
AUGUSTA (AP) — Some lawmakers want to make sure elected officials show up in person to public meetings. Two bills set for a Tuesday public hearing would no longer allow some officials to use phones or other technology to remotely participate in public meetings. The Legislature’s Right to Know Advisory Committee has expressed concern that […]
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Lawmakers oppose new fees on Maine hybrid and electric cars
AUGUSTA — Democratic lawmakers rejected a proposal from Gov. Paul LePage’s administration to make owning hybrid and electric cars more expensive in a committee-level vote Thursday. The 6-5 vote of the transportation committee fell along party lines, with Republican lawmakers opposing the panel’s recommendation to the full Legislature that the bill should not pass. The bill […]
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Panel working on marijuana regulations omits mention of social clubs
AUGUSTA — State lawmakers who are working to launch Maine’s adult-use cannabis industry have eliminated all references to social clubs from a proposed overhaul of the Marijuana Legalization Act. Voters approved social clubs as part of the legalization referendum in 2016, but lawmakers have repeatedly voted for delays in an effort to keep Maine from […]
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Bottle bill would lower deposit for wine, spirits
Advocates of a proposal that would lower the deposit on wine and liquor bottles by 10 cents say the measure would equalize returnables and simplify the process. State Rep. Ellie Espling, R-New Gloucester, the bill’s sponsor, wrote in a statement that she seeks “to implement a uniform refund value” by reducing the deposit put on […]
Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn
Gary McGrane aims to succeed Tom Saviello for 17th District Senate seat
JAY — A retired millworker and educator is hoping to claim the state Senate seat that’s been held for years by Republican Tom Saviello, who can’t run for re-election because of term limits. Democrat Gary McGrane announced recently he is running for the seat, the first candidate to declare his intentions in the sprawling district. […]