Maine Tribes
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PublishedMay 1, 2022
Taxpayer relief, tribal relations, child protection and free tuition: What mattered in the 2022 session
Lawmakers found themselves in an unusual position this year – having to decide what to do with a projected surplus of $1.2 billion.
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PublishedApril 22, 2022
Historic tribal sovereignty bill falters, while sports betting advances
The Legislature's budget committee failed to allocate $44,650 in funding needed to send the sovereignty bill to Gov. Janet Mills, who was expected to veto it, but officials say negotiations are ongoing.
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PublishedApril 19, 2022
Tribal bills still pending as lawmakers approach end of session
Two of three major bills aimed at helping Maine's tribes are still up in the air as lawmakers scramble to finish their work.
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PublishedApril 15, 2022
Maine House advances bill to legalize sports betting
The bill would grant Maine's tribes with exclusive rights to operate all mobile sports betting in the state, while casino operators would be allowed to conduct in-person sports betting.
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PublishedApril 14, 2022
Maine House advances historic bill to restore tribes’ sovereignty
The bill, which faces opposition from Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, passed 81-55 and now goes to the Senate.
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PublishedMarch 31, 2022
Congress hears Rep. Golden’s bill to allow Maine tribes to benefit from future federal Indian laws
Several members of the House indigenous affairs subcommittee were perplexed by the limits the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act imposed on the tribes.
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PublishedMarch 15, 2022
Divided legislative committee passes landmark tribal sovereignty bill
The proposal to rewrite the state's land claims settlement act is opposed by the Mills administration, which has offered more narrow legislation negotiated with tribal leaders.
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PublishedOctober 3, 2021
Pandemic highlights food insecurity in Maine’s tribal communities
A nonprofit is trying to help build resiliency by educating people about how to grow and cook traditional foods.
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PublishedJuly 1, 2021
Supporters of tribal gaming bill fail to override Mills veto
The House voted 80-53 to override the governor's opposition to a bill restoring gaming rights lost in a 1980 legal settlement with the state, short of the two-thirds margin needed.
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PublishedJune 30, 2021
Gov. Mills vetoes bill to provide gaming rights to Maine tribes
Leaders of the 4 tribes reacted harshly to the veto, which was issued just hours before the measure would have become law without the governor's signature.