The high surf throughout Southern and Midcoast Maine caused by Hurricane Erin is a reminder that hurricane season is once again upon us. Storms like these have the potential to threaten Maine’s coast and pose risks to our heritage industries. As I’ve written before, LD 1, “An Act to Increase Storm Preparedness for Maine’s Communities, […]
maine legislature
Gov. Mills pledged to revive Maine’s tribal relations board. Most state seats are empty.
Hobbled by vacancies, political clashes and structural limitations, the future of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission is hazy.
Does Maine require a two-thirds majority to redraw congressional districts? | Fact brief
Redistricting has become a hot political issue nationally as Texas Republicans move to redraw the state’s map in the hopes of picking up more U.S. House seats.
Does Maine law prohibit medical billing over 6 months after the service date? | Fact brief
Legislation passed by the Maine Legislature in 2020 focuses on preventing ‘surprise’ medical bills.
Maine hospitals wait years to be reimbursed for serving low-income residents
Hospitals are already under financial strain. Federal and state policies affecting Maine’s Medicaid program will only add pressure.
Property taxes: Mainers need long-term relief, not short-term Band-Aids
Everywhere I go, Mainers are talking to me about property taxes. I hear it from retirees who have lived in the same house for 40 years and now worry they can’t afford to stay. I hear it from young families struggling to buy their first home and are worried property taxes will keep home ownership […]
What the Maine Legislature is up to in the summer
Although the first session of the 132nd Legislature adjourned in late June, our work as legislators continues. While summer can be a great time for my fellow legislators and I to spend time with friends and family, our sole focus still remains on how to best serve the people of Maine. Although we may not […]
Maine again fails to establish a statewide system to track rape kits
Two bills to create a tracking system received support in the Legislature but weren’t funded. A similar bill also failed to make it into law last year.
Rep. Arford’s bill to make birth control more accessible to Mainers becomes law
A measure from Rep. Poppy Arford, D-Brunswick, to help more Mainers access birth control by requiring state-regulated health insurance plans to cover the cost of over-the-counter oral contraceptives is now law. Gov. Janet Mills signed the measure on July 1. “This new law continues Maine’s proud history of supporting access to comprehensive contraception to prevent […]
Ban on untraceable firearms among dozens of bills Mills delays decisions on
Now that the 10-day window for the governor to sign bills has passed, she has the option to veto each bill or let it become law without her signature when the Legislature next meets.