AUGUSTA (AP) — Lawmakers in Maine are close to passing a bill that would limit perks given to doctors from pharmaceutical companies. The Portland Press Herald reported (http://bit.ly/2spJheP ) the bill would head to Gov. Paul LePage’s desk after passing the Legislature. Democratic Rep. Scott Hamann says the proposed measure will help ensure doctors prescribing […]
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Senate, House disagree on bill some fear could lead to abortion restrictions
AUGUSTA — A measure that would create new legal rights for a fetus has divided lawmakers as closely as possible. The Senate voted 18-17 Tuesday to endorse a measure that would grant legal rights to a viable fetus, a proposal the House opposed recently by a 72-71 margin. In short, the proposal has exactly as many […]
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Maine voters approve $50 million technology bond
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine voters have approved a special referendum election to invest $50 million in technology. The proposal asked voters if they wanted the Maine Technology Institute to distribute $45 million in grants for upgrades in aquaculture, marine technology, forestry and agriculture. The Small Enterprise Growth Fund would direct another $5 million to small […]
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Legislature extends session an extra 5 days to work on budget
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawmakers voted to extend the legislative session by five days in an attempt to hash out budget deal amid lawmakers wrapping up debates on key bills and the threat of a potential state government shutdown looming. The House voted 111-31 on Wednesday to extend the session, hours after the Senate voted 33-0 […]
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House Dems, GOP spar over police bills, highway funding and procedure
The Legislature will breeze past its scheduled adjournment Wednesday because of the two-year budget impasse, but things got testy Tuesday about what seemed like everything but the budget. In the House of Representatives, Republicans attacked Democrats for supposedly not backing police. In the Senate, Democrats hit Republicans who backed what they called an anti-abortion bill. Even Maine’s uncontroversial $1.4 […]
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Maine lawmakers vote to ban use of handheld phones while driving
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine drivers may soon only be able to use cellphones and electronic devices with hands-free technology. The Maine House voted 85-60 Tuesday to pass the bill limiting the cellphone use, joining the Senate which voted last week voted 21-14 in favor of the measure. It’s unclear whether Republican Gov. Paul LePage would […]
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Bill to prohibit discussing wage history with employers faces uncertain future
AUGUSTA (AP) — A bill to prohibit employers from seeking information about a prospective employee’s prior wage history faces an uncertain future after passing the Maine House and Senate. The Democratic-controlled House on Monday voted 79-68 in favor of Democratic Sen. Cathy Breen’s bill in an initial round of votes. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 22-13 […]
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Paul LePage threatens budget veto, says shut down would be Dems’ fault
AUGUSTA — As lawmakers scramble to finish up this week, not everyone is impressed with what they’ve done. Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, pointed out the other day that the 186 members of the Legislature collectively churn out enough warmth from their own bodies to power about 38 homes. That, he said, “may very well be […]
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Maine’s food sovereignty law touted as nationwide first
With a stroke of his pen, Gov. Paul LePage last week enacted landmark legislation putting Maine in the forefront of the food sovereignty movement. LePage signed LD 725, An Act to Recognize Local Control Regarding Food Systems, Friday legitimizing the authority of towns and communities to enact ordinances regulating local food distribution free from state […]
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House blocks statewide teacher contract proposal sought by Paul LePage
AUGUSTA — A proposal to allow the state to negotiate a uniform teacher contract throughout Maine fell short in the House on Tuesday. By an 80-68 vote, lawmakers declined to create a pilot program that would let school districts choose to rely on a contract the state would negotiate with teachers. Rep. David McCrea, D-Fort […]