The 2nd District Democrat’s bill would drop restrictions that force some Small Business Administration programs to turn away marijuana-related companies.
Steve Collins
Columnist
Steve Collins became an opinion columnist for the Maine Trust for Local News in April of 2025. A journalist since 1987, Steve has worked for daily newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Maine and served as the State House reporter for the Sun Journal since 2016. The Maine Press Association named him Maine's Journalist of the Year in 2022. Among his other awards are the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2016 Ethics in Journalism Award, the I.F. Stone Whistle-Blower Award in 2015 and the Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award from the New England Newspaper & Press Association. Steve is a founder and board president of Youth Journalism International, a charity that teaches students around the globe about news writing, media literacy and issues of the day. His wife, Jackie Majerus, serves as its executive director. Born in Massachusetts, he grew up in a military family that took him to Norway, Ohio and Virginia, where he earned a degree in history from the University of Virginia. He and Jackie live in Auburn. They have two adult children, two collies and not enough time.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
In wake of new Nike flap, Poliquin says buy New Balance instead
Former Maine congressman Bruce Poliquin urged patriots to buy American-made sneakers instead of supporting Nike after the shoe giant dropped plans to sell Fourth of July-themed trainers.
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Posted inElections, Local & State, News, Politics
Republican Brakey looks likely to challenge Rep. Golden for his 2nd District seat
Former state senator from Auburn has created an exploratory committee for a likely race in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Golden seeks $5 million to bolster VA’s mental health care
2nd District congressman wants inpatient beds in Maine for vets facing a crisis.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
State gets to work on new economic development plan
Despite troubling demographics and other potential pitfalls, Maine aims to create a 10-year road map to a better economic future.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Sen. Collins uses leadership PAC to shore up Republican support
Maine’s senior senator relies on her Dirigo PAC to give to GOP politicians from Mitch McConnell to candidates for the Maine Legislature.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Lots of ‘cool science’ at Bates spurred by federal program
The $104 million that taxpayers have allocated to encourage biomedical research in Maine contributes to the growth of student-focused scientific training.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Identical mailers touting power line project offer wildly different job estimates
Critics say the power company’s advertising in favor of its $1 billion project are misleading, but both versions are both confusing and correct.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Source
Program that pays farmers to provide food for hungry Mainers threatened
State lawmakers are weighing whether to allocate $3 million to continue a hunger relief program, which buys fresh produce from 75 Maine farms, for two more years.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News, Politics
Rep. Jared Golden protests ‘gotcha politics’ move by House leaders
The Lewiston Democrat says measures with bipartisan backing should be allowed to go to the Senate without tying them to bills the Republican Party won’t support.