AUGUSTA — The Maine House of Representatives narrowly endorsed a bill on Tuesday that would roll back state “blue laws” to allow small grocery stores to open on Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. The chamber passed the bill after a 79-66 vote in which 64 Republicans joined 11 Democrats to vote against a call to kill the bill, […]
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Rep. Frances Head sponsors bill to recoup naloxone costs
AUGUSTA — A bill introduced in the Legislature would make people who receive repeat doses of a life-saving opiate overdose antidote pay for it. Gov. Paul LePage’s bill, sponsored by Rep. Frances Head, R-Bethel, would make municipalities, counties and contracted first responders recoup the costs of administering naloxone or other opiate overdose antidotes from those […]
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Bill would release $15 million in voter-approved Maine bonds
AUGUSTA (AP) — A Republican’s bill aims to release $15 million in bonds for senior housing that voters approved two years ago. Lawmakers have accused Republican Gov. Paul LePage of refusing to release the bonds while Maine seniors struggle to find affordable housing. Republican Sen. Roger Katz’s bill is set for an initial vote in […]
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Legislature considering 3 bills that would affect Maine health care workers
In the next decade, Maine will need an additional 1,602 registered nurses, 475 nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and 2,474 direct care workers — those who provide long-term, hands-on care to seniors and people with disabilities. For a small, aging state, that’s a lot of people. Indeed, nurses and direct care workers are among the fastest growing […]
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White collar crime registry proposed to skeptical lawmakers
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers reacted skeptically Monday to a proposal to create a registry of white collar criminals. The measure, proposed by Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford, would require the state to create an online, public list of offenders who have committed committed fraud or theft. They would remain on the list for 10 years to life […]
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Lawmakers weigh proposals to help ‘cold case’ families
AUGUSTA — Shortly before Thanksgiving in 1975, Linda Perkins dropped her husband off to go deer hunting in the familiar woods less than a mile from her Washington, Maine, home. Ludger Belanger, 25, set off into the newly fallen snow and was never seen again. Aside from evidence that he’d shot a deer and been […]
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State revenue forecast looks less optimistic
AUGUSTA — Revenues to support state government will dip below previous projections this year but will pick up again in the next two years, a panel of experts decided Monday at the State House. The state’s Revenue Forecasting Committee makes recommendations in November and May of every year, which among other things help lawmakers grappling […]
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Maine agency says lottery does not take advantage of gamblers
A customer purchases a Mega Millions lottery ticket at a store in Damariscotta on July 8, 2016. AUGUSTA — A watchdog agency concluded a months-long probe Friday with the finding that the Maine Lottery Commission does not target vulnerable socio-economic populations within Maine for its more than $250 million a year in sales. The Office […]
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Gov. Paul LePage sign Maine Real ID bill into law
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has signed a bill that will put Maine on track to complying with federal Real ID standards and avoiding problems for Mainers accessing federal facilities or boarding domestic flights. LePage, who had urged the Legislature to quickly pass LD 306, made the announcement Friday morning. “It is in the best interest […]
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Maine judiciary warns against ballot question reform
AUGUSTA — Maine’s judicial branch is warning lawmakers that a proposal to reform ballot questions could jeopardize the separation of powers. Maine Public reports judicial branch spokeswoman Mary Ann Lynch took the rare step of testifying against the bill this week. Republican Sen. Eric Brakey’s bill would allow the Legislature, governor and attorney general to […]