The shoddy practice of waiting until the last minute to vote on controversial bills seems to worsen every session.
maine legislature
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine’s new public defenders aim to close attorney shortage in rural areas
The five-member Rural Defender Unit is representing people in places like Aroostook and Washington counties, where many cannot afford – or find – a lawyer.
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Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News, Politics
Maine has tacked left as nation lurches right in culture wars
Embracing the state motto – ‘I lead’ – Maine lawmakers led in a different direction, safeguarding and expanding access to abortion and gender-affirming care.
Posted inOp-eds, Opinion
Commentary: Not knowing where new nurses will come from is no excuse for no new nurses
The proposal that would introduce nurse-to-patient ratios in Maine is one of the few interventions that can repair perilous working conditions for nurses.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Budget approved by Democrats won’t go into effect until fall
Upset over being shut out of negotiations, Republicans vote against the state budget. It still passes, but without their votes, the newly added $800 million can’t be spent until October.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine Legislature finally wraps up session, sends abortion bill to governor
Lawmakers voted out the last of the pending bills late Thursday, including a hard-fought bill to expand abortion access that Gov. Janet Mills is all but certain to sign into law soon.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
New Maine wrongful death law ties cap on damages to inflation, extends time limit to sue
Gov. Janet Mills allowed the bill to become law Thursday without her signature. Another bill that would have extended the statute of limitations on medical negligence claims failed to get support.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine Legislature passes budget with paid family leave, tax cut for retirees
Both the House and Senate voted for passage, but opposition from House Republicans meant there was not enough support to meet the two-thirds threshold needed for the supplemental spending package to take effect immediately.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers fail to override governor’s veto of tribal bill
The House voted 84-57 in favor of overriding Gov. Janet Mills’ veto, which falls 10 votes short of the two-thirds support needed and sustains the veto.
Posted inOp-eds, Opinion
Commentary: Bring a dental therapy school to Maine
While we have great access to dental hygienists here in Maine, we do not have the level of training between hygienist and dentist. That must change.