AUGUSTA — Parents and caretakers said Wednesday they strongly support two bills to increase the accountability and transparency of the Department of Health and Human Services’ role in overseeing care for people with intellectual disabilities and autism. “I would feel better,” Darla Stimpson Chafin told the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee at a public […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Critics balk as BIW seeks renewal of $60 million in tax incentives
AUGUSTA — Bath Iron Works representatives urged Maine lawmakers Tuesday to renew $60 million in tax credits to help the shipyard compete for Navy work, but opponents dismissed the proposal as “corporate welfare” for BIW’s massive parent company. Over the past 20 years, BIW has received $3 million annually in tax incentives from the state […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Some Maine lawmakers push to delay legalization of marijuana sales
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawmakers on Tuesday started discussions about how long to delay retail marijuana sales while lawmakers continue to work on regulations needed to get the industry up and running. A ban on retail pot sales technically is in place until Thursday, but the state hasn’t set up a way for marijuana retailers […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Nutting seeks to return to state House from Leeds
LEEDS — With Republican Jeff Timberlake eyeing a state Senate seat this year, the contest to replace him in the state House is heating up. Democrat John Nutting of Leeds, who has served in the House and Senate in the past, hopes to claim the open 75th District seat representing Turner, Leeds and part of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislative committee votes to delay new medicinal marijuana rules
The legislative committee that oversees Maine’s medical marijuana program wants to suspend controversial new rules cracking down on caregivers. The state Department of Health and Human Services finalized the rules last year and is scheduled to implement them on Feb. 1, but the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee wants to put those rules on […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Lawmakers eye proposal to make it harder to merge municipalities
AUGUSTA — A measure that would likely make it harder to merge municipalities in Maine will face legislative scrutiny this session at the request of the mayors of Lewiston and Auburn. Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, said he introduced a proposal to require a majority vote by each town or city eyeing a possible merger before […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine bill would allow unloaded guns to be carried in cars on school grounds
AUGUSTA — For the second year in a row, and one day after a deadly shooting at a Kentucky high school, Maine lawmakers will consider a bill that would allow people picking up or dropping off students at schools to have unloaded guns in the car. A public hearing on the bill will be held […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lawmakers to consider lowering minimum wage
AUGUSTA (AP) — A legislative panel will start considering a bill to soften the minimum wage hike approved by voters in 2016. Republicans and some business groups have pushed to reverse a law they argue will harm Maine’s economy in the long-term. Lawmakers last year agreed to remove the voter-approved minimum wage hike for tipped […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Legislative panels vote to extend ban on adult-use pot, delay medical rules
Two state legislative committees considering marijuana regulations have decided they need more time to fine-tune their proposals. One committee voted Friday to extend a statewide ban on launching the adult-use marijuana market from Feb. 1 until April 18. The other committee voted Thursday night to delay the Feb. 1 implementation of controversial new medical marijuana rules until it had time to develop […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Nate Libby pushes for state funding of pedestrian safety projects
AUGUSTA — Hoping to reduce the number of pedestrians killed in Maine, state Sen. Nate Libby hopes to snag $5 million in transportation funds to help municipalities make safety improvements for those on foot. “Improvements to pedestrian safety have been consistently cut out of strained municipal budgets,” Libby said in a prepared statement Friday. A […]