Maine lawmakers urge colleagues to prioritize bills aimed at ending systemic racism

Reps. Rachel Talbot Ross and Craig Hickman want the Legislature to act quickly on bills held over from the March adjournment that would address racial disparity and discrimination.

Voters will head to the polls July 14

Voters in the Lakes Region Weekly will weigh in on a U.S. senate primary race, two state referendum questions and elections for local offices.

City has coronavirus protocols in place for July 14 election

Voters will be casting ballots for local and state referendums, as well as party candidates for the November election. The election also includes the school budget validation vote.

Panel recommends ways for Mills to address racial disparities in Maine

The state commission is urging several steps, including using federal CARES Act funding to support a response to the COVID-19 pandemic for minority populations in the state.

Our View: Mills shouldn’t keep lawmakers from doing their job

The governor's response to questions about unemployment benefits echoed her predecessor, and that's not good.

Portland Democrats to host candidate forums

In rapid sequence, Legislature approves $76 million budget package geared toward pandemic

The measure includes $38 million more for Maine's public schools, funding for coronavirus response and dozens of other new initiatives.

Lawmakers urged to repeal provision allowing secrecy in police use of surveillance tools

Two legislators introduced the measure after the Maine Sunday Telegram reported that state police are using a provision in Maine law to conceal whether they are using technologies capable of mass surveillance of citizens.

Bill would nearly double Maine’s governor’s pay, from $70,000 to $135,000

The legislation that went before the State and Local Government Committee on Monday also would boost pay and reimbursements for state lawmakers and judges, who, like the governor, are the lowest paid in the nation.

Lawmakers endorse forming commission to study reforms to child protection system

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Bill Diamond of Windham, said he wants to ensure that discussions continue, and that the public gets input.