Placeholder bills buy time to finalize details of legislation, but some significant and controversial proposals are only revealed at the last minute.
Maine Legislature
Posted inMaine, Politics
Gov. Mills opposes bills that would hide past marijuana offenses
Advocates say more people should be able to have convictions for low-level crimes such as marijuana possession sealed by the courts, but the proposals are opposed by Maine’s governor and others.
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Posted inMaine, Politics, Portland Sea Dogs, Sports
Lawmakers hear overwhelming support for tax credit for Hadlock Field renovations
The proposal from Senate President Troy Jackson could provide up to $200,000 per year, or $2 million total, in tax credits for upgrades the team makes to the city-owned stadium.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Advocates rally at Maine State House for rent relief, shelter funding
The demonstration Wednesday came as lawmakers are negotiating budget proposals, including funding for a bill that would establish a pilot program for eviction prevention.
Posted inElections, Maine, Politics
Effort to elect presidents using popular vote gains ground in Maine
The Maine Senate votes in support of a multistate plan to sidestep the Electoral College by pledging to support presidential candidates who win the national popular vote.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Lawmakers take up gun bills, focus on waiting periods, background checks
The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee holds a work session on a series of bills that include a proposal from Gov. Janet Mills to expand background checks and update the state’s yellow flag law.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, Politics
Maine may tax Netflix and other streaming subscriptions
A $20 a month subscription fee would have $1.10 in tax added to it. Half of U.S. states are already applying a similar tax on subscriptions to Spotify, Hulu, Amazon Prime and more.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Republican AGs from 16 states attack Maine bill protecting providers who give gender-affirming or abortion care
While Republican-led states that have banned the care are threatening legal action against Maine, 11 other states have passed similar shield laws that protect practitioners who provide gender-affirming and abortion care to residents of other states.
Posted inMaine
Threats, evacuations lead to calls for more security at Maine Capitol
Lawmakers are proposing a new security screening center and additional staff amid growing concerns about political violence.
Posted inMaine
Maine voters may have to wait until 2026 to vote on new state flag proposal
A bill endorsed last week would push off the referendum for two years and would create a five-member commission to recommend a new flag design to Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.