Patty Kidder said her family went bankrupt in the 1990s, and that it wouldn’t have happened if they had had access to paid leave. Other Mainers have different reactions.
Joe Lawlor
Staff Writer
Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people.
He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.
Posted inMaine, Politics
How will Maine’s paid family leave affect me and my employer?
Gov. Janet Mills has said she will sign the law, which would be fully implemented by 2026.
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Posted inBusiness, Maine, Politics
Maine Legislature takes first step toward adopting paid family leave program
Senators voted 22-12 to create a new program to provide paid leave to workers who need time off to care for a newborn or sick family member.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News
Maine’s childhood vaccination rate goes from one of nation’s lowest to one of the highest
Only medical exemptions to school-required vaccinations are permitted under the law that eliminated religious and philosophical opt-outs 2 years ago.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Maine Senate follows House and approves bill protecting coverage of gender-affirming care
The Maine Senate approved the bill on Tuesday, following House approval on Friday.
Posted inHealth, Maine, Nation / World, News, Politics
Maine nurses split over whether state mandate of staff ratios would help
Some see the controversial bill in the Legislature as a means of improving working conditions at badly understaffed hospitals; others say the flexibility is what allows them to do their jobs.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Activists on both sides of abortion debate fill the halls in Maine’s State House
A proposal backed by Gov. Janet Mills to expand abortion access later in pregnancy is headed for votes next week in the House and Senate.
Posted inMaine
Rainy, cold weather may have silver lining: fewer browntail moths
The weather conditions may have caused the proliferation of a fungus that kills the browntail moth caterpillars.
Posted inHealth, Maine
Parents of special needs children place hopes in bill that would pay them as caregivers
The bill, by Rep. Jessica Fay, was voted unanimously out of committee
Posted inHealth, Maine, News
Maine researchers, patients help shed new light on mysteries of long COVID
A new national study tracked 10,000 patients in Maine and across the country.