maine legislature Archives - The Portland Press Herald

Commentary: Maine can’t afford to lose our clean-energy momentum now

by Bob Cleaves Special to the Press Herald June 21, 2023June 20, 2023

L.D. 1986 will ensure an accurate accounting of net energy costs and benefits and fund solar facilities for low- and moderate-income Mainers.

Editorials, Opinion

Our View: Deficient, dangerous nurse staffing cannot stay as it is

by The Editorial Board June 21, 2023June 20, 2023

Debate over the nurse-to-patient ratio bill under consideration in Augusta has shed a stark light on how dismal it is to work at the bedside. Although a fix is desperately needed, L.D. 1639 is too blunt an instrument.

Op-eds, Opinion

Commentary: Paid leave is good for people, business and Maine’s economy

by Dan Fishbein Special to the Press Herald June 20, 2023June 19, 2023

When people can take time off without the worry of losing pay, they stay in the workforce, are more committed to their employers and see healthier outcomes. I’ve seen it work at our own company.

Op-eds, Opinion

Commentary: Staffing pressures on nurses put Maine patients at risk

by Natalie Sanford Special to the Press Herald June 20, 2023June 20, 2023

Nurse staffing affects patient outcomes. Neither inexperienced nurses nor travel nurses are a like-for-like substitute for experienced, local staff.

Local & State, News, Politics

Bills passed by Maine lawmakers are piling up on ‘the table’ – and many will die there

by Randy Billings June 19, 2023June 20, 2023

Many bills passed by the Legislature but not included in the governor’s budget are sent to what’s known as the ‘special appropriations table,’ where they compete for limited funding and often die a quiet death.

Health, Local & State, Nation & World, News, Politics

Maine nurses split over whether state mandate of staff ratios would help

by Joe Lawlor June 18, 2023June 18, 2023

Some see the controversial bill in the Legislature as a means of improving working conditions at badly understaffed hospitals; others say the flexibility is what allows them to do their jobs.