When I drove into the drug store parking lot the other day I found myself parked in a litter of little plastic liquor bottles. I mentioned this to an employee who told me they had someone who picked up the empty “nips” once or twice a day, but she dutifully grabbed a dustpan and brush […]
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Posted inMaine
LePage bill wants health care workers to report substance abuse by pregnant women
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Republican governor wants to require everyone from a school bus driver to camp counselors to report a pregnant woman’s suspected substance abuse. The state says 8 percent of babies born in 2015 were affected by drugs, alcohol, or both. Currently, under state law, certain health care providers have to tell the state […]
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Better citizens’ initiatives
While it makes perfect sense to ask the Law Court to weigh in on the constitutionality of a citizens’ initiative, that is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many problems associated with citizens’ initiatives that have little to do with constitutionality; some are just poorly written. A law can be poorly written and […]
Posted inMaine
Heidi Brooks sponsors single-payer health care bill for Maine
AUGUSTA — As Congress debates the merits of the Affordable Care Act and its potential successor, some lawmakers think the time is ripe to create a single-payer health care system in Maine. “Here in Maine many people are struggling to get the care they need when and where they need it. Universal health care ideally […]
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Sara Gideon introduces bill to expand welfare in Maine
AUGUSTA — House Speaker Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, will introduce a new bill Monday that would expand and enhance Maine’s social services safety net, largely funded with what Gideon said is $150 million in federal funds that Gov. Paul LePage’s administration isn’t spending. Among the elements of Gideon’s wide-ranging bill are requirements for the state to use federal […]
Posted inMaine
Bond spat between Paul LePage, Terry Hayes threatens construction projects
AUGUSTA — Approximately $600 million earmarked for Maine infrastructure projects is held up in an arcane dispute between Gov. Paul LePage and State Treasurer Terry Hayes over a contract with lawyers hired to work on a bond sale set for June. The latest spat involving the Republican governor and state bonding has been simmering since […]
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Maine bill aims to prohibit female genital mutilation on minors
AUGUSTA (AP) — A Republican’s bill would make performing female genital mutilation on a minor a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Under federal law, a five-year prison sentence is possible. Republican Rep. Heather Sirocki’s bill also would make it a crime for a parent or guardian to consent to or permit […]
Posted inMaine
LePage: Lawmakers who pushed for time zone change need therapy
Maine Gov. Paul LePage, testifies during a House Natural Resources subcommittee oversight hearing on the Antiquities Act on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) A proposal that would put Maine and perhaps much of New England into a new time zone is crazy, Gov. Paul LePage said in a […]
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Legislators to debate bill to standardize teacher pay
A core priority of Gov. Paul LePage’s proposals to reform Maine’s public education system will face its first big public test this afternoon at the State House when a bill to create a statewide teachers contract is introduced to the Legislature’s Education Committee. LD 864 would establish a single contract for all public school teachers, as well as […]
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Legislative hearing explores allowing guns on college campuses
AUGUSTA — Higher education leaders say campuses would be less safe if lawmakers pass a Maine Republican’s campus carry bill. The bill wouldn’t let public universities, community colleges and Maine Maritime Academy regulate possession of handguns on their campuses. Maine allows concealed carry without a permit for those over 21 years old and has exceptions […]