AUGUSTA (AP) — As the legalization of recreational marijuana sales in Maine nears, a legislative panel has spent months pondering the best way to tax pot to bring in state revenue, fund regulatory enforcement and discourage the illicit market. In November, legalization of recreational marijuana was approved. Possession of recreational marijuana became legal this year, […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Analysis: Legislature has enough work to keep going into August
The Maine Legislature was back Thursday for what we thought was possibly their last day, but leaders quickly decided that the session that led to the first state government shutdown since 1991 will keep on giving into August. That protracted budget fight set the Legislature’s other business back significantly, leaving them to consider $200 million […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lawmakers voice concerns about proposed child care rules
AUGUSTA (AP) — Some Maine lawmakers are voicing their concerns about the state’s proposed child care rules and the care of incarcerated young people with mental illness. The Legislature’s health and human services committee on Thursday agreed to ask Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration for more details on proposed child care regulations, which the committee […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage will decide on possible cellphone ban for drivers
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to a measure that would ban the use of handheld devices while driving. The measure, initially approved by both the Senate and House last month, heads next to Gov. Paul LePage. State Police Major Chris Grotton called the proposal “exactly the law that Maine law enforcement needs […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Most new laws await Maine lawmakers' official last day
AUGUSTA (AP) — A few dozen laws have gone into effect in Maine while more than 200 pieces of legislation have months to go before taking effect. One new law makes it easier for 14-and 15-year-olds to work, while another sets aside $1.6 million to implement the voter-approved legalization of recreational marijuana. Most bills that […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Scott Hamann's anti-Trump rant gets him tossed off legislative committees
PORTLAND — Rep. Scott Hamann, D-South Portland, has been removed from two legislative committees because of statements he made online that suggested he would harm President Donald Trump if he got close enough. Three days after images of a profane Facebook post that Hamann wrote began to circulate online, House Speaker Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, said […]
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Lawmakers struggle to find money ffor numerous unfunded bills
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawmakers are starting to deal with the unfunded bills, vetoes, bonds and marijuana legalization work that’s left to do. The Legislature’s appropriations committee met Wednesday to decide the fate of a pile of bills needing funding to survive. Topics ranged from housing insecurity among older citizens to firearms training for forest […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine legislators ponder taxes on legal marijuana
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers hope to have a bill detailing proposals for the legalization of marijuana by month’s end, said Rep. Teresa Pierce, co-chairwoman of a special committee created to wade through the many issues involved in implementing last fall’s ballot question. The Falmouth Democrat said the Committee On Marijuana Legalization Implementation is “getting down to […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
South Portland lawmaker hits Trump with vicious, profane Facebook post
Editor’s note: This story contains objectionable language. AUGUSTA — A Democratic state lawmaker from South Portland posted a vicious attack on President Donald Trump on social media that included the assertion that Trump “is a half-term president, at most, especially if I get within 10 feet of that (unprintable slur).” Rep. Scott Hamann also said […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Lawmakers return to Augusta to find funding for bills
AUGUSTA (AP) — Lawmakers are set to return to Augusta this week to deal with vetoes, bonds and unfunded bills. The Legislature’s appropriations committee is scheduled to return Wednesday to decide the fate of a pile of bills needing funding to survive. Bills with high priority include more mental health first aid training for corrections […]