Some worry that building contractors will have ‘a rude awakening’ with the change, which is effective July 1 and stems from bills passed in 2019.
Legislature
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Bill to replace CMP and Versant with consumer-owned utility gains committee approval
The Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee’s 9-2 vote, with 2 lawmakers absent, advances the bill for consideration by the full Legislature and, ultimately, Maine voters.
advertisement
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Direct care workers urge lawmakers to raise pay rates to combat staffing shortages
A workforce shortage and low wages have created a crisis for those who need help from direct care workers. On Monday, some workers made their case for a pay hike to the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee.
Posted inLocal & State
Come up with new safety rules, legislators tell funeral home regulators
Lawmakers said they want rules that would keep drivers safe when they are transporting bodies in Maine.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine redistricting thrown into confusion by census delay, constitutional Catch-22
The state’s process insulates against gerrymandering, unless one party has supermajority control of the Legislature.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
The heartache behind the dry words of a Maine bill on funeral vehicle safety
A widow seeks more regulation of funeral home vehicles after her husband died driving one in 2017.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Maine senator calls for crackdown on ‘snake oil and fine print’ payday loans
State Sen. Rick Bennett of Oxford calls for limits on how much lenders can charge for short-term loans to hard-pressed Mainers.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine Democratic leaders pitch COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights
Lawmakers hold a public hearing on L.D. 1, which would waive all copayments for testing and vaccinations.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Next step for Maine’s climate goals: Proposed laws to make them reality
Dozens of ideas being promoted by lawmakers this year represent the next phase of state government’s aggressive effort to address a rapidly changing climate.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Legislature faces new costs with move to Augusta Civic Center
The use of the arena for House and Senate floor sessions to provide the space needed to meet physical distancing guidelines for COVID-19 will cost the state $4,025 a day.