Maine redistricting thrown into confusion by census delay, constitutional Catch-22

Legislature

Published
April 18, 2021

Maine redistricting thrown into confusion by census delay, constitutional Catch-22

The state’s process insulates against gerrymandering, unless one party has supermajority control of the Legislature.
Published
March 26, 2021

The heartache behind the dry words of a Maine bill on funeral vehicle safety

A widow seeks more regulation of funeral home vehicles after her husband died driving one in 2017.
Published
March 12, 2021

Maine senator calls for crackdown on ‘snake oil and fine print’ payday loans

State Sen. Rick Bennett of Oxford calls for limits on how much lenders can charge for short-term loans to hard-pressed Mainers.
Published
February 23, 2021

Maine Democratic leaders pitch COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights

Lawmakers hold a public hearing on L.D. 1, which would waive all copayments for testing and vaccinations.
Published
January 27, 2021

Next step for Maine’s climate goals: Proposed laws to make them reality

Dozens of ideas being promoted by lawmakers this year represent the next phase of state government's aggressive effort to address a rapidly changing climate.
Published
December 14, 2020

Legislature faces new costs with move to Augusta Civic Center

The use of the arena for House and Senate floor sessions to provide the space needed to meet physical distancing guidelines for COVID-19 will cost the state $4,025 a day.
Published
July 2, 2020

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.
Published
July 1, 2020

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.
Published
June 30, 2020

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.
Published
June 18, 2020

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.