AUGUSTA – Winter weather is already delaying the Maine Legislature’s work just two days into the 2018 session.

Legislative leaders announced Wednesday – the first day of this year’s shortened session – that Thursday’s committee hearings will be canceled and rescheduled because of the anticipated winter storm. The Health and Human Service Committee, the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Committee were all slated to hold public hearings or work sessions on a dozen bills.

The Mount View High School Chamber Singers perform in the rotunda before the legislative session started Wednesday at the State House in Augusta. The musical group from Thorndike was there to perform the national anthem at the start of the House session. Staff photo by Joe Phelan

Representatives stand as the the Mount View High School Chamber Singers perform the national anthem to start the Legislature's first day of the second session on Wednesday at the Maine State House in Augusta. Staff photo by Joe Phelan

Sen. Roger Katz, R-Augusta, left, chats with Staff Sgt. Ryan McCarthy before the session on Wednesday at the State House in Augusta. McCarthy along with family and friends were there so that he could receive joint legislative sentiment congratulating him recently winning the Non Commissioned Officer of the Year award. McCarthy grew up in Belgrade. Staff photo by Joe Phelan

“They will be rescheduled to a later date when members of the public can safely travel to attend legislative hearings and work sessions,” House Speaker Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, and Senate President Mike Thibodeau, R-Winterport, said in a memo to legislators and staff. “The postponements will be announced through television and public radio service announcements and will be posted on the legislature’s website.”

This is the second and shorter year of the 128th legislative session, which is scheduled to last through April 18th.

All of Maine is under a winter storm warning for Thursday, with coastal, Down East and interior areas around Bangor also under a blizzard warning. Many areas are expected to receive up to a foot of snow. The National Weather Service said blizzard conditions are expected beginning around noon on Thursday and lasting into Friday morning.

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